Koh Tao, which means &lsquo;Turtle Island&rsquo;, is a small tropical island barely 21km square. You can walk around it in a day and its name comes from being rich with sea turtles, nowadays they have mostly moved on to other breeding grounds. It&rsquo;s only been inhabited since 1899 and from 1933 was used as a political prison. Then in 1947 a royal pardon was given and the prisoners released. Not a bad place to be imprisoned if you ask me. Fisherman and farmers started to arrive shortly after by Thai traditional sail boat (a dangerous journey even in 1947) to fish the waters and farm the rich soil. In the eighties it was discovered by the first backpacker travellers an soon became famous for its natural beauty, especially for its marine life and coral reefs. Nowadays famous for being a paradise getaway and one of Thailand&rsquo;s biggest dive spots.