Flying Trapeze in Koh Tao, Thailand

I first visited Koh Tao, a tiny island—7 kilometers by 3 kilometers—off Thailand’s southwest coast nearly 13 years ago. Back then, the island, which is a 2.5-hour ferry ride from the larger and more popular island, Samui, offered exactly one organized activity: scuba diving. There were no roads, thus no vehicles. Only one beach, Sairee, offered accommodations—rustic beach bungalows with outdoor showers. Dining meant grabbing a bite at a street food stall. I was traveling with several friends who chose Koh Tao for quick and cheap scuba certification. After three days on the island, I was eager to move on.

A lot has changed between my first and second trip, this past May. A main road now circles the island. Scooters, cars and trucks jam the sidewalk-less streets. Sairee Beach is now a bona fide town teeming with resorts, restaurants, hotels, bungalows, and hostels. Diving is still the main draw, but the island now offers adventure travelers an array of sports, including rock climbing, bouldering, and flying trapeze.

Flying trapeze classes are offered six days a week right in the heart of Sairee Beach by Goodtime Adventures. Lead instructor Gemma Semple’s coaching style is equal parts cheerleader, drill sergeant and MacGyver—trapeze supplies, including chalk, athletic tape and Liquid Bandage for hands that rip from exertion are hard to come by, so Gemma improvises. To appropriate a quote from one of my former trapeze catchers, flying trapeze on Koh Tao is the most fun you can possibly have with your clothes on.

During day classes, the view from the platform features palm trees and beyond, a verdant jungle. Behind the rig, the turquoise sea stretches to the horizon. Fairy lights illuminate the rig during evening classes, which made me feel like a pixie soaring through a tropical forest. Gemma is a wonderful teacher, articulate, strong, confidence-boosting. During the week I flew with her, I watched students try trapeze for the first time and progress dramatically within a few days.

Although dozens of people tried convincing me that diving is the most incredible, most relaxing, yet exhilarating, thing imaginable, I have zero interest in the sport. I just can’t imagine trusting anything to breathe on my behalf, and chronic earaches as a child have left me wary of any activity that could blow out my eardrums. I went to Koh Tao specifically for trapeze. But the beauty of doing trapeze on Koh Tao is that the diving culture means there are plenty of other tourists and expats, thus tons of potential playmates for all those hours I was not on the trapeze rig.

Through trapeze I met another traveler, Tamara, who was on Koh Tao for diving. She said that when she left the island, she cried. I understand. This trip, instead of being bored by the island within days, I wanted to stay forever.

Trapeze classes: Contact Gemma at flyingtrapeze(at)gtadventures.com.

Getting there: From Bangkok, Bangkok Airways offers inexpensive flights to Koh Samui. Ferries from Samui to Koh Tao run twice daily.

Favorite restaurants: Chaba Tapas (best salad), Sairee Sairee Braisserie Pizzeria, Gallery (more luxe than my usual meals), Su Chili, Rim Lau at the Koh Tao Cabanas (breakfast), Banyan (breakfast, early lunch).

Favorite activity besides trapeze: Water taxi (15 minutes) to Nangyan Island’s crystal clear waters for snorkeling.

Other activities: Yoga, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Bouldering, Beach Bumming.

Accommodations: Can fit any budget. I chose the Sairee Seaview Hotel, and loved it there.