Three granite islands joined by a triple sandbar so narrow you can stand with sea on both sides, in water shading from white to…Three granite islands joined by a triple sandbar so narrow you can stand with sea on both sides, in water shading from white to jade. The viewpoint climb gives the most-photographed shot in the Gulf of Thailand, and the snorkelling straight off the sand is genuinely good, Japanese Gardens is one of the best shallow coral gardens in the Gulf. The island is privately managed with a landing fee and a plastics ban, and has been closed periodically to let coral recover from tourist pressure. Koh Tao next door certifies more scuba divers annually than almost anywhere on earth, which is both the reason the reefs are monitored and the reason they are under pressure. Anchorage: Anchor off the sandbar in sand, avoid the coral, which is protected and monitored. Hazards: Coral abrasion on the sandbar edges; do not walk on coral. More