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

4.9
Based on 1,766 Reviews
Zachary Decker
8 June 2026

Had a great time diving with Ben at White Rock and Twins after helping the Goodtimes team do beach clean up! Ben was a great dive master and helped us identify a lot of cool fish and made it a super fun experience. Also huge shout out to Mike for joining our dive today and doing an awesome photo shoot for us!

Yaly Morad
6 June 2026

I’ve done the top rope course with Danny and then sport leading with Andrew. Both had been attentive and skillful and allowed me to feel confident and secure on the climbs and while belaying. On top of that, the crags we’ve gone to are challenging, varied and offer stunning views. Thank you! Had a wonderful time

Bastien Viltard
5 June 2026

I had an amazing morning with Danny, who introduced me to outdoor climbing in a friendly atmosphere and gave me fantastic tips for improving! The beauty of the different climbing spots and the views perfectly complemented the sporting experience.

Francois Mourlan
4 June 2026

i went there because I was planning to rent a crash pad for bouldering. it's a nice place to prepare your aventures.

Dave Leslie
28 May 2026

Andrew took my family on the climbing guide rock climbing adventure and it was excellent. Our boys, 8 and 10 had their first outdoor climbing experience. Andrew gave them patience, encouragement and confidence. They were fully engaged and left wanting more climbing opportunities for the future. My wife and I had a great time getting back into the sport. The views, courses, and service was exceptional. Thank you for the wonderful morning, we will be back!

Great morning out with Andrew doing the ‘discover rock climbing’ half day. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to give rock climbing a go.

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!