FAQ

Most guests fly from Bangkok to Chumphon or Koh Samui and then take the ferry across — the Chumphon route is the shortest crossing and the gentlest if you're prone to seasickness. Tell us where you're travelling from and we'll gladly help you plan the smoothest route — you can compare and book every ferry, bus and transfer in one place through 12Go, our official travel partner. Just share your arrival time and we'll have everything ready for your check-in.

We arrange pick-up and drop-off at the Koh Tao pier, so your transfers are taken care of. Just send us your ferry details when you book and we'll be there.

No. We'll pick you up at the Koh Tao pier and are glad to arrange a taxi or longtail boat whenever you'd like to explore. For getting to the island — flights and ferries — you can compare and book through 12Go, our official travel partner. If you'd prefer your own wheels, we'll deliver a scooter to the villa — just ask.

Yes. Tell us where you're flying from and your dates, and we'll help arrange the flights, ferries and transfers, then meet you at Mae Haad pier and drive you to the villa. Koh Tao has no airport, so most guests fly to Koh Samui, Chumphon or Surat Thani and take a ferry across — see our guide on how to get to Koh Tao.

LUM is on the Sai Nuan hillside on the quiet west coast of Koh Tao, Thailand — about a three-minute scooter ride from the nearest beach and around ten minutes by taxi or scooter from the main pier at Mae Haad, facing the sunset over the sea.

January to April is the driest and sunniest. May to September is warm with the odd short shower. October to December is the rainier monsoon window. The sunsets are lovely year-round — share your dates and we'll be honest about what to expect.

Bring some cash. Many of the smaller restaurants and shops on Koh Tao are cash-only, and island ATMs charge around 220 baht per withdrawal. We're happy to point you to the best places to withdraw before you arrive.

Yes. Koh Tao is a relaxed, friendly island and most guests feel completely at ease. As anywhere, a little common sense goes a long way — and we're only a message away the whole time you're here.

Most guests find three to five days about right — enough for a couple of dives or snorkel trips, a viewpoint or two, a slow beach day, and a few of those famous sunsets. Give it longer if you're learning to dive, or simply want to switch off properly.

Absolutely. Beyond the diving there's snorkelling straight off the boat, hidden beaches and viewpoints, hiking, kayaking and paddleboarding, Muay Thai, and some of the best sunset spots in Thailand — all of which we're happy to arrange around your stay.

Not at all — Koh Tao is where more people learn to dive than anywhere on earth. An SSI Open Water course runs about 2.5–3 days; you just need to be comfortable in the water (no need to be a strong swimmer), and you can start from age 10. Contact-lens wearers are fine too. Our partner Dive Onda keeps groups tiny and films every session for feedback.

No need to pack heavy gear — we rent the latest DJI Osmo Action for ฿1,000 a day. It's waterproof to 20 m with no case (deep enough for an Open Water dive) and keeps colours true underwater, where most GoPros need a filter. Mounts, a deeper-dive waterproof case, charger and memory card are all included. See the photography & rental page.

Diving runs year-round, but the water is clearest and calmest in the dry months from around March to June. Whale-shark sightings cluster around March–April and September–October. The rainier monsoon window is late October to December. There's more in our guide to the best time to visit Koh Tao.

Couples usually prefer the quiet south and west of the island over the lively Sairee strip. The Sai Nuan hillside on the west coast is the most private and scenic, facing the sunset over the sea — which is exactly where LUM sits. See our guide to where to stay on Koh Tao.

We strongly recommend travel insurance, and if you plan to dive, check that your policy covers scuba diving to the depths you'll reach. Many standard policies exclude diving unless you add it. Your dive school can advise on short-term dive cover if you need it.

Stick to bottled or filtered water for drinking, as you would elsewhere in Thailand — tap water isn't intended for drinking. It's fine for showering and brushing teeth. We keep water at the villa and can point you to refill stations to cut down on plastic.

There's no malaria risk on Koh Tao, but mosquitoes are around, especially at dusk and in the greener rainy months, so bring or buy repellent. For up-to-date vaccination advice for Thailand, check with your doctor or a travel clinic before you fly.

Koh Tao has several clinics and pharmacies for everyday needs and minor issues, mostly around Mae Haad and Sairee. For anything serious, patients are transferred by ferry to the larger hospitals on Koh Samui or the mainland. It's another reason to travel with good insurance.

Each villa has a private pool, an open terrace facing the sunset, and a calm air-conditioned bedroom with warm natural materials. They all share the same layout and the same view over the sea.

Yes — each villa has reliable wifi, so you can log in for work, stream, or video-call home in between swims and sunsets.

Each villa has an in-villa minibar — fine wine, sparkling, refreshments and mixers. There's no kitchen, but we're happy to point you to the best places to eat nearby.

You may spot small geckos and lizards around the villa — they're completely harmless, shy, and a lovely part of the island's scenery (they also help keep the insects away).

Yes — LUM is designed for privacy. The villas are set into the hillside, which makes it well suited to couples, honeymoons, and anniversaries.

Absolutely. Many guests come on their own for some me-time — the privacy, the pool, and the sunset make it an easy place to switch off.

Each villa has a single king-size bed, so it's designed for two guests — a couple or a solo traveller. Families are very welcome to book neighbouring villas side by side (they sit close together), so older children can share a villa next to their parents'. However, our villas aren't set up for babies or young children — there are open pools and terraces, and no cots or child bedding. If you're travelling with little ones, message us and we'll happily point you to family-friendly stays on Koh Tao.

Yes — with 20 years on Koh Tao, we can arrange diving with Dive Onda, snorkelling trips with Oxygen (our island partners), in-villa massage, paddleboarding, restaurant recommendations, and scooter hire delivered to your villa. For ferries and buses, you can compare and book through 12Go, our official travel partner. Just tell us what you'd like.

For the dry, peak months of December to April we'd suggest booking a few months ahead, as villas fill up. Outside peak season there's more flexibility, but because we're a small, private place, the earlier you message us the better the chance of your ideal dates.

LUM is booked directly with us. Message us on WhatsApp or email hello@livelum.com with your dates and we'll take care of the rest.