a man climbing a rock wall

Discover rock climbing on Koh Tao with our Beginner Top Rope Course

Rock 1: Top Rope

Rock 1: Top Rope Climbing is the perfect beginner top rope course for those exploring the rocks for the first time. This level 1 climbing course covers essential skills, gear, and safety. Complete the course to earn your top rope certification and start climbing confidently on both indoor walls and outdoor routes.

Level

Beginner

Course

Duration

1

Days

Cost

฿3,600

Thai Baht

The Learning Experience

The Rock 1: Top Rope Rock Climbing course is your gateway to climbing, covering both foundational knowledge and practical skills. This beginner top rope course focuses on safety, responsibility, and climbing etiquette. In the morning “ground school,” you’ll explore different types of climbing, gear, knots, and belay techniques. The afternoon takes you to Koh Tao’s granite cliffs, where you’ll apply what you’ve learned under the guidance of expert instructors. This level 1 climbing course ensures you build a strong foundation in both safety and technique, preparing you for a strong climbing future.

Ready to start your adventure?

What’s included

What to bring

Prerequisites

Itinerary

Morning (10:00-12:30)

  • Ground School – beginner top rope course intro and overview, equipment setup, knot and belaying practice, climbing commands

Lunch Break (12:30-13:30)

Afternoon (13:30-17:30)

  • On the Rocks: practice the morning skills, bodyweight movement, foot and hand placements, mental preparation, and abseiling by climbing some local level 1 climbing routes

Rock 1: Top Rope

Rock 1: Top Rope Climbing is the perfect beginner top rope course for those exploring the rocks for the first time. This level 1 climbing course covers essential skills, gear, and safety. Complete the course to earn your top rope certification and start climbing confidently on both indoor walls and outdoor routes.

All activities start the day after arrival on the island.

฿3,600

Reviews

google Rating
4.9
Based on 1,601 Reviews
Nick Leen
14 February 2026

Charlie, the owner, is one of the most welcoming & heartwarming hosts. The vibes at the bar are wonderful, the food great. Dived for the first time with Goodtimes, was nervous going in but was a wonderful experience thanks to the awesome dive staff. The climbing beta & shop was great. Couldn’t recommend them enough, will be coming back to the island just to hang out here well into the future!

Gareth Leah
14 February 2026

We stayed here for a week with the family at Goodtimes. They were super helpful finding us a good scooter deal, directing us to climbing, and getting us an amazing scuba day. Costs is bang down the middle, not expensive, but not the cheapest. Would recommend to anyone visiting Koh Tao.

Andor Davoti
5 February 2026

Big thanks to you guys! Charly, Myo, Mark and Shai, you are all amazing:) Had an awesome time climbing and giving scuba diving a try.

Olivier SCHWARTZ
3 February 2026

I had a wonderful time with Goodtime, we went climbing there with Charlie (real routes! I advise it being a climber) and had our open water dive with Lydia, Livia and Andrea. I was so happy with the course that I went to the Advanced right after! Team is amazing, I feel lucky we had such good instructors, with good vibes and the well-applied pedagogy 🙏

Liza Nunes
1 February 2026

We did the guided climbing with Myo and had the best experience! Not only was he so kind and fun to hang out with but he always was so incredibly knowledgeable about climbing. He knows the wall like the back of his hand which helped me get routes I wouldn’t normally be able to do. He was also so motivating the entire time. 10/10 experience so worth it. Cannot recommend this company or myo enough!!

Malene Apalset Vassbø
19 January 2026

We climbed one morning with Myo. We got to try several nice routes with a suitable level of difficulty. He was safe and good at guiding.

Frequently Asked Questions

For outdoor rock climbing, essential gear includes climbing shoes, a harness, a helmet, and chalk for grip. Depending on the type of climbing (sport, traditional, or top roping), additional gear like ropes, belay devices, quickdraws, and cams may be necessary. We provide all the equipment needed during our rock climbing courses (we love Petzl brand) and we have gear for rent when you’re going out for a guided outdoor rock climbing session.

Rock climbing is an excellent full-body workout that builds strength, improves flexibility, and enhances cardiovascular endurance. It’s also a great mental exercise, improving problem-solving skills, reducing stress, and boosting confidence through achieving goals. To top it all of you also get access to the best views of Koh Tao – what’s not to love?

Here on Koh Tao we use the French grading system. Our beautiful granite rocks on Koh Tao have climbs ranging from 4 to 7c perfect for every climbing adventure from beginner to advanced!