Which place is cheaper, Coffs Harbour or Koh Tarutao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Coffs Harbour. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Koh Tarutao is a remote, beautiful, and undiscovered island. Koh Tarutao is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches and hiking. See Koh Tarutao travel costs.
Coffs Harbour is a nature-filled, lively, and relaxing vacation town. Coffs Harbour offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Coffs Harbour travel costs.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Coffs Harbour than Koh Tarutao, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Coffs Harbour is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while Koh Tarutao is more popular for its impressive beauty. Coffs Harbour is more touristy than Koh Tarutao and is known for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". Also, Coffs Harbour is famous for the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Koh Tarutao is well known for its secluded beauty and undiscovered paradise setting.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Coffs Harbour and Koh Tarutao. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Coffs Harbour is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Coffs Harbour. The town is home to the infamous Big Banana Fun Park. It's a large amusement park that's become recognized for the "Big Banana" at the entrance - which is the first of the "Big Things" found in Australia. The town also has several other landmarks to check out such as the Forest Sky Pier, the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, and the Butterfly House.
Koh Tarutao offers a few options for museum-goers. This island is all about remote natural settings that will take your breath away, but you won't find anything in the form of temples or museums.
Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.
Coffs Harbour has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants that cater to families, couples, and all types of vacations. There are quaint cafes as well as fine dining restaurants and the cuisine ranges from local seafood to modern Australian favorites, or international treats.
Koh Tarutao offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are three restaurants on the island that have limited hours so, if possible, it's best to arrive with some snacks. The food is simple and can get repetitive if you eat the same meals several days in a row.
Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for nightlife.
Coffs Harbour has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a vacation spot that attracts visitors who want to enjoy the evening activities. The Jetty Strip is popular for its nightlife scene, but you'll find no shortage of bars and pubs in other areas as well.
Things get quiet in the evenings in Koh Tarutao. There's a good chance you'll have this island almost completely to yourself. The few restaurants on the island close early and you'll likely head to bed early after taking in the stunning night sky.
Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its resorts.
There are plenty of resorts in Coffs Harbour to choose from. There's a huge range of accommodation types in the area with everything from camping to luxury resorts. There are also budget-friendly hostels and family-friendly hotels.
While Koh Tarutao is not known as a resort destination, there are some nice places to stay. You won't find luxury resorts (or any resorts) on the island. What you will find is simple bungalows, or tents available for rent at the ranger stations.
Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Koh Tarutao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Coffs Harbour. Scuba diving and snorkeling is popular in the area, as this is where the Solitary Islands Marine Park begins. The area sees a mix of the warm water from the Great Barrier Reef and the cooler waters from around Sydney, so the marine life is diverse. There are sheltered areas that offer snorkeling for all ages and you'll see a great mix of tropical and sub-tropical marine life, as well as both soft and hard corals.
Koh Tarutao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Koh Tarutao and Coffs Harbour both offer fantastic beaches.
Koh Tarutao offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. A true island paradise, you'll find isolated beaches here that are so remote that you'll likely have them to yourself for large parts of the day.
Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Coffs Harbour. People come for the beaches, and they won't disappoint. You can enjoy everything from surfing, swimming, fishing, or simply walking and taking in the beauty. Popular beaches in the area include Emerald Beach, Woolgoolga, and the family-friendly Jetty Beach.
Hiking trails can be found around both Koh Tarutao and Coffs Harbour, and they are very good.
Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Tarutao. There are hiking trails through mangrove coves, inland through the dramatic vegetation, and up cliffs to impressive viewpoints.
You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Coffs Harbour. There are many national parks and natural areas nearby with excellent hiking and bush walks. The Coffs Creek Walk is a walking and biking path that's in town and connects the city center to many of the top sights that are nearby. Out of town, there's the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, the Gumgali Track, Sherwood Nature Reserve and Ulidarra National Park.
Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for shopping.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Coffs Harbour. The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.
Koh Tarutao has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a small shop at the visitor center where you can pick up simple drinks and snacks.
Koh Tarutao is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Coffs Harbour is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.
Koh Tarutao is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Beautiful undeveloped beaches and stunning natural environments make this a truly unique destination.
Coffs Harbour is a beautiful place to visit, too. With its beautiful coastline and nice mountain landscapes, there is plenty of beauty to explore. There are also nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries where you can immerse yourself in the natural environment.
Coffs Harbour is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, Coffs Harbour is very family-friendly. There are great beaches where kids can swim or learn to surf. There are also water parks, including the famous Big Banana Fun Park, as well as amusement parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. Kids and adults alike will enjoy going dolphin or whale watching, or putting on a mask and going snorkeling.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Koh Tarutao. For families who want seclusion, this beautiful island is the place to spend a night or two. There are great beaches, interesting hikes, and kayaks available to visitors.
Koh Tarutao and Coffs Harbour both very good destinations for a couple.
Koh Tarutao makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For a truly remote experience, couples will enjoy this often overlooked island. There are hikes and isolated beaches that offer romance in its most simple form.
Couples visit Coffs Harbour frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a beautiful city and a popular honeymoon destination. Couples will enjoy the impressive beaches and fun activities. There are places to explore nature as well as restaurants and fun evening activities. There's also great scuba diving and snorkeling at the Solitary Islands Marine Park.
Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Coffs Harbour. There are a number of hostels around town as well as great water activities and a lively atmosphere, making this a nice stop off for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Koh Tarutao. Most backpackers overlook this beautiful island for the more party-oriented destinations of Thailand, but those who spend a night or two here will be rewarded with a truly unique and authentic experience.
Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Koh Tarutao and Coffs Harbour.
Public transit is mostly limited in Koh Tarutao. There are shuttle taxis that travel around the island at fixed times. You can also rent a mountain bike at the ranger stations.
Public transit is generally limited in Coffs Harbour. This is a very car dependent area and public transit is very limit. While there are buses, the area is spread out and you need the freedom of having your own vehicle to explore.
Koh Tarutao is a decent place to visit for its walkability. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.
Koh Tarutao is generally not a very walkable island. The island is quite large and difficult to explore on foot alone.
Coffs Harbour is not a walkable island. Most visitors arrive with a car and you'll struggle to fully experience the area if you don't have your own form of transportation.
For even more information, also check out Is Koh Tarutao Worth Visiting? and Is Coffs Harbour Worth Visiting?.
Both Koh Tarutao and Coffs Harbour have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Coffs Harbour than in Koh Tarutao. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Koh Tarutao, and 3-7 days is enough time in Coffs Harbour.
Families should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Koh Tarutao. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Coffs Harbour, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Koh Tarutao. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Coffs Harbour that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Koh Tarutao if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Coffs Harbour.
Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the remote destination of Koh Tarutao. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the relaxing vacation town of Coffs Harbour. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Tarutao. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun destination of Coffs Harbour. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This vacation town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Travelers enjoy the when visiting the secluded destination of Koh Tarutao. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the fun vacation town of Coffs Harbour. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
You'll find around the beautiful island of Koh Tarutao. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Coffs Harbour. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this vacation town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $137, while the average daily cost in Coffs Harbour is $174. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Koh Tarutao and Coffs Harbour in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Koh Tarutao or Coffs Harbour? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Prices for flights to both Coffs Harbour and Koh Tarutao change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Coffs Harbour's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Coffs Harbour, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Tarutao and Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tarutao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Tarutao is in Asia and Coffs Harbour is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Koh Tarutao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tarutao and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Coffs Harbour would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coffs Harbour than you might in Koh Tarutao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Tarutao Expensive? and Is Coffs Harbour Expensive?.
Coffs Harbour has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tarutao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Both Coffs Harbour and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Koh Tarutao is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Tarutao in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In July, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin January. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Coffs Harbour and Koh Tarutao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.
In October, Koh Tarutao is generally a little warmer than Coffs Harbourin April. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (81°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
Coffs Harbour gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in October than Coffs Harbourin April. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Koh Tarutao. May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Coffs Harbour. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Coffs Harbour in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.
In January, Koh Tarutao usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin July. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Coffs Harbour. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Tarutao in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in April than Coffs Harbourin October. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. May and October in Koh Tarutao is the rainy season.
Koh Tarutao | Coffs Harbour | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 241 mm (9.5 in) |
Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 215 mm (8.5 in) |
May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 177 mm (7 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 136 mm (5.4 in) |
Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |