Koh Tao Beaches are arguably the most beautiful beaches in Thailand.
Turquoise waters, colorful coral reefs, and palm tree fringed shorelines are just some of the things you can expect to discover at the beaches on Koh Tao.
I have put together this ultimate list of the 10 BEST Beaches in Koh Tao, including where to find them and what to expect at each one.
OVERVIEW – KOH TAO BEACHES
Here is a quick overview of the 10 Best Beaches On Koh Tao that you will find in this post:
- Freedom Beach
- Sairee Beach
- Shark Bay
- Sai Nuan Beach
- Koh Nang Yuan Beach
- Taa Toh Bay
- Chalok Baan Kao Bay
- Tanote Bay
- Sai Daeng Beach
- Hin Wong Bay
10 BEST BEACHES IN KOH TAO
FREEDOM BEACH
Freedom Beach Koh Tao is my favorite beach on the island and it’s rated one of the best beaches by locals and tourists!
HOW TO GET TO FREEDOM BEACH KOH TAO
Freedom Beach Koh Tao is a short 10-minute drive from Sairee Beach, the main tourist hub of Koh Tao.
Freedom Beach has decent road access and when I visited there were no parking or entrance fees. Freedom Beach Koh Tao is a short 2-minute walk to the beach from the car park.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT FREEDOM BEACH KOH TAO
Freedom Beach Koh Tao is one of the smaller beaches but the beauty and scenic vibes make up for its size.
This fine white sandy beach is tucked away under a shady palm tree and mangrove jungle with some of the clearest, bluest water on the island.
A shallow reef can be found just off the shoreline at Freedom Beach Koh Tao with an abundance of corals and schools of fish which is known to be one of the best Koh Tao snorkeling spots!
Full blog post: Freedom Beach Koh Tao
BEST TOURS IN KOH TAO
SAIREE BEACH
Sairee Beach is the biggest, busiest, and most popular beach in Koh Tao.
Sairee Beach is the main tourist hub on Koh Tao and it seriously has it all, from beachside bars & restaurants to dive shops and night markets.
Oh, and I forgot to mention – Sairee Beach Koh Tao is one of the best locations on the island to watch the sunset!
HOW TO GET TO SAIREE BEACH KOH TAO
Sairee Beach is a 5-minute drive from the Mae Haad Pier. Sairee Beach Koh Tao has easy road access and when I visited there were no parking or entrance fees.
Sairee Beach is a stone’s throw from the car park to the beach.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT SAIREE BEACH KOH TAO
As I mentioned earlier, Sairee Beach is the biggest beach on Koh Tao, stretching 1.8km along the western coastline of the island.
So it is up to you where you want to park along the road and stroll down to the beach because once you are down on the sand it is very easy to explore the entire Sairee Beach.
During the day, Sairee Beach Koh Tao has a few fun things to do including tree swings and beach volleyball, and of course, sunbathing and snorkeling out on the reef.
Another great thing about this spot is that you don’t have to go far to get some lunch or drinks as there are restaurants and bars all the way along Sairee Beach, each with stunning views of the bay and neighboring islands.
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The nightlife at Sairee Beach is always buzzing and it is the best place to be on the island for all things happening!
Night markets, streetside food vendors, and beach bars line the streets and I guarantee you will be far from bored during a night out on Sairee Beach.
For diving enthusiasts, all the dive shops on Koh Tao can be found here at Sairee Beach. Just pop your head in, say hello, and organize your dives in advance.
Full blog post: Sairee Beach Koh Tao
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SHARK BAY
Shark Bay Koh Tao, also known by the local name Thian Og Bay, is rated one of the best Koh Tao snorkeling spots on the island.
Shark Bay Koh Tao aptly gets its name from the frequent blacktip reef sharks that enter the bay.
HOW TO GET TO SHARK BAY KOH TAO
Shark Bay Koh Tao is a 15-minute drive from Sairee Beach, the main tourist hub on the island. Shark Bay Koh Tao can be accessed through the Haad Tien Beach Resort.
Park out the front of the resort and then follow the signs pointing the way to Shark Beach Koh Tao.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT SHARK BAY KOH TAO
When I visited Koh Tao Shark Bay I actually paddled into the bay on my kayak that I rented from my accommodation, Sai Daeng Resort, which is just right around the corner.
I beached my kayak on the shore and I was blown away by the bright turquoise waters and the fine white sand at Shark Bay Koh Tao!
There is lots of exploring to do at Shark Bay Koh Tao and you MUST go snorkeling to try your luck at spotting a blacktip reef shark.
The sharks are harmless so you don’t have to worry about being bitten, just be sure to give them their space to move around.
Also, keep a sharp eye out for some green sea turtles that frequently get around Shark Bay.
Full blog post: Shark Bay Koh Tao
SAI NUAN BEACH
Sai Nuan Beach is one of the best, most unspoiled beaches in Koh Tao.
Located on the southwest coastline of Koh Tao Island, Sai Nuan Beach is the perfect hideaway from the more popular beaches.
HOW TO GET TO SAI NUAN BEACH KOH TAO
Sai Nuan Beach is a 15-minute drive from Sairee Beach, the main tourist hub of Koh Tao.
Sai Nuan Beach has decent road access, and when I visited there were no parking or entrance fees. Sai Nuan Beach Koh Tao is a short 2-minute walk to the beach from the car park.
RELATED GUIDE: 15 BEST Things To Do In Koh Tao
THE 2 BEACHES AT SAI NUAN BEACH KOH TAO
There are actually two beaches to be explored at this location, Sai Nuan Beach 1 and Sai Nuan Beach 2.
If you happen to park in the first car park on your left at the end of the road, follow the walking trail down from here and you will emerge on Sai Nuan Beach 2.
To get to Sai Nuan Beach 1, follow the shoreline around the corner, walk through the restaurant beneath the palms and you will arrive in less than 2 minutes.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT SAI NUAN BEACH
I visited Sai Nuan Beach around 2 pm one afternoon and I was stoked to have discovered this tropical paradise that is isolated from the more touristy beaches.
I first arrived at Sai Nuan Beach 2 and took some photos of the beach and seaside restaurant before following the shoreline around to Sai Nuan Beach 1.
Sai Nuan Beach 1 is my favorite pick of the two beaches because of its awesome tropical vibe about it.
A cozy bay is shaded by a coconut palm tree forest with a slackline and a tree swing between the palms! Sounds fun right?!
Sai Nuan Beach is the perfect spot to enjoy a day out with friends and family to soak up some sun, snorkel around the rocks and enjoy the sounds of the waves and coral wind chimes.
Full blog post: Sai Nuan Beach Koh Tao
KOH NANG YUAN ISLAND & BEACHES
Koh Nang Yuan is a unique tropical island in southern Thailand and one of the best day trips to be had from the nearby Koh Tao Island.
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Experience the ultimate serenity and tranquillity on Nang Yuan Island, where you’ll some of the most beautiful beaches, panoramic viewpoints, and some of Thailand’s best scuba diving sites.
HOW TO GET TO KOH NANG YUAN
Koh Nang Yuan Island is only accessible by taxi boat and the most popular route to get to Nang Yuan Island is by organizing a day trip from the nearby island, Koh Tao.
The boat trip to Koh Nang Yuan from Koh Tao takes approximately 15 minutes across the channel.
Here are a couple of options to book a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan listed below:
Option #1: Ask a local
I found the easiest and cheapest way to get over to Koh Nang Yuan is to head down to the northern end of Sairee Beach where all the boats are lined up and find a local who has a boat that is willing to take you over to Nang Yuan Island.
My friends and I did exactly this and we were able to barter a price of 1000 Baht between the five of us (200 Baht per person) for a return trip.
Option #2: Tourist Office
You can book a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan from any of the tourist information offices dotted around the Mae Haad Pier and Sairee Beach areas.
Expect to pay between 250-350 Baht per person if you book with this option as the tour companies charge more so they can make a commission.
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WHAT TO EXPECT AT KOH NANG YUAN BEACH
Koh Nang Yuan Island is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. I recommended spending at least half a day here to enjoy exploring as much of Koh Nang Yuan as you possibly can.
Make sure to arrange a time with your taxi boat driver for when you want to be picked up again to make the return trip back to Koh Tao.
There is a 100 Baht entry fee per person to visit Koh Nang Yuan and you must leave no later than 5 pm unless you are staying at the Nangyuan Island Dive Resort.
Also, plastic water bottles and the flying of drones are prohibited on Nang Yuan Island.
Koh Nang Yuan is very popular nowadays, so you can expect there to be quite a lot of tourists on the island.
Regardless of the herds of people, I still had a fantastic time swimming and hiking to the famous Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint.
Full blog post: Koh Nang Yuan Island & Beaches
TAA TOH BAY
Taa Toh Bay is a magnificent cove hidden under a palm-fringed forest on the south coast of Koh Tao Island.
Taatoh Bay is the ultimate spot to relax on the beach for some peace and quiet away from the more popular beaches.
HOW TO GET TO TAA TOH BAY
Taa Toh Bay is a 15-minute drive from Sairee Beach, the main tourist hub of Koh Tao.
Taa Toh Bay has decent road access and when I visited there were no parking or entrance fees. Taatoh Bay Koh Tao is a short 2-minute walk to the beach from the car park.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT TAA TOH BAY
Taa Toh Bay was the last stop of the day on my beach-hopping adventures around the south coast of Koh Tao.
I made it to Taa Toh Bay at around 5 pm to do some exploring and then caught an unforgettable sunset at the beach.
I could have easily spent an entire day at Taa Toh Bay. There is so much to do including snorkeling, kayaking, beach volleyball, hiking, and hammock chills!
When I visited Taa Toh Bay there were only four other people on the beach, which surprised me as it was peak season on Koh Tao.
So if you’re looking for one of the best beaches Koh Tao has to offer, then look no further than Taa Toh Bay Beach.
Full blog post: Taa Toh Bay Koh Tao
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CHALOK BAAN KAO BAY
Chalok Baan Kao Bay is one of the biggest and best beaches, perfect for an entire day of exploring and relaxing.
Chalok Bay Koh Tao can be found on the southern coastline of the island.
HOW TO GET TO CHALOK BAAN KAO BAY
Chalok Bay Koh Tao is a short 10-minute drive from Sairee Beach. Chalok Baan Kao Bay has great road access and parking spots are available all along the beach.
There are no parking or entrance fees at Chalok Baan Kao Bay and it is a stone’s throw from the road to the beach.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT CHALOK BAAN KAO BAY
I visited Chalok Beach Koh Tao at around 4 pm in the afternoon and the long white sand beach was practically empty.
There are a number of beach bars, bean bags, and restaurants along Chalok Baan Kao Beach where you can enjoy some afternoon drinks at sunset.
I explored Chalok Baan Kao Bay from one end to the other, stopping numerous times to take photos of the palm trees and the boats bobbing around in the shallow waters.
Chalok Baan Kao is definitely one of the quieter beaches and with the convenience of food and beverage options right there too.
Full blog post: Chalok Baan Kao Beach Koh Tao
TANOTE BAY
Tanote Bay is one of the more popular beaches, surrounded by rolling hills and large boulders.
There is also a rock formation at Tanote Bay Beach that is well-known as the best rock jumping spot on Koh Tao Island.
HOW TO GET TO TANOTE BAY
Tanote Bay Koh Tao is located on the eastern coastline of the island. It’s a short 15-minute drive from Sairee Beach, the main tourist hub on the island.
Tanote Bay has decent road access and when I visited there were no parking or entrance fees. Tanote Bay is a short 2-minute walk to the beach from the car park.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT TANOTE BAY
Tanote Bay is the best place to watch the sunrise on Koh Tao Island as this bay faces east over the Gulf Of Thailand.
I visited Tanote Bay around 10 am to explore the beach and the rocky points before going for a swim and of course some rock jumping.
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Koh Tao weather was unfortunately very overcast on the day that I visited Tanote Bay but I still had an amazing time exploring this coastline.
There are a couple of beachside restaurants and resorts along Tanote Bay beach, the perfect spot to get something to eat and drink without having to leave the beach.
Also, I highly recommend snorkeling in Tanote Bay as it is said to be one of the best Koh Tao snorkeling spots on the island, with a variety of colorful corals and reasonably large fish just a few steps into the water.
If you are game to do some rock jumping you can easily swim or walk out to the large boulder in the ocean at Tanote Bay.
There is a metal chain on the front side of the rock to help you climb to the top and then from here there is only one way down.
Full blog post: Tanote Bay Koh Tao
SAI DAENG BEACH
Sai Daeng Beach is one of Koh Tao best beaches and a place where the ultimate paradise can be found.
Located on Koh Tao’s south coast, Sai Daeng Beach is the perfect spot to spend a day snorkeling the reefs, kayaking in the bay, and working on your tan!
HOW TO GET TO SAI DAENG BEACH
Sai Daeng Beach Koh Tao is a 15-minute drive from Sairee Beach, the main tourist hub on the island. Sai Daeng Beach can be accessed through the Sai Daeng Resort.
Park out the front of the resort and then follow the signs pointing the way down the stairs to Sai Daeng Beach. There are no parking or entry fees when visiting Sai Daeng Beach.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT SAI DAENG BEACH
I stayed at the Sai Daeng Resort for 3 days and 3 nights and was lucky enough to visit Sai Daeng Beach every morning for a swim and snorkel.
Some of the clearest, turquoise waters can be found here at Sai Daeng Beach and colorful coral reefs are only a stone’s throw away from the palm tree fringed shoreline.
Sai Daeng Beach is the closest bay to Shark Island, the best Koh Tao snorkeling spot on the island. There are kayaks and snorkel sets available to rent from the restaurant located down on Sai Daeng Beach.
Paddling out to Shark Island Koh Tao in a kayak takes approximately 10 minutes and there is a floating buoy to tie off your kayak before jumping in the water for a snorkel.
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There are clusters of beautiful large boulders at the eastern end of Sai Daeng Beach, perfect for rock hopping and exploring around the headland.
This is also where various kinds of colorful corals can be found and a common spot where blacktip reef sharks and green turtles like to reside.
If you plan to spend a good part of the day at Sai Daeng Beach, there is a restaurant on the beach that is attached to the Sai Daeng Resort, serving up delicious Western and Thai cuisines at a reasonable price.
This will save you the hassle of hiking back up the hill and driving into town for some lunch.
Full blog post: Sai Daeng Beach Koh Tao
HIN WONG BAY
Hin Wong Bay on Koh Tao Island is a beautiful beach surrounded by large boulders and crystal clear waters, offering one of the best Koh Tao snorkeling spots.
I perused my Koh Tao map in search of a beach away from the more popular beaches and I discovered Ao Hin Wong Beach on the eastern coastline of Koh Tao.
HOW TO GET TO HIN WONG BAY
Hin Wong Bay is a short 10-minute drive from Sairee Beach, the main tourist hub of Koh Tao.
Hin Wong Bay is very easy to access as the main road leads all the way down to Ao Hin Wong Beach and there is a small car park at the bottom.
There are no parking or entrance fees at Hin Wong Bay and it is a short 2-minute walk to the beach.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT HIN WONG BEACH
When I arrived at Hin Wong Bay the first thing I did was traverse across the large boulders that lined the southern end of Ao Hin Wong Beach to see what I could find.
Apart from a local fisherman on the rocks trying to catch his lunch, there wasn’t much to do at this end of the beach and I couldn’t go much further across the boulders as it was more difficult than what I had intended.
I headed back along the trail between the palm trees to the north end of Hin Wong Bay and found a beautiful patch of sand to perch up and go for a quick swim.
I was surprised to see no more than 10 people down on Ao Hin Wong Beach knowing that there were thousands of tourists on Koh Tao during this holiday season.
If you’re looking for a quiet beach away from crowds and one of the best Koh Tao snorkeling spots, head to the east side of Koh Tao Island and discover the beauty of Hin Wong Bay, where the jungle meets the sea.
Full blog post: Hin Wong Bay Koh Tao
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HOW TO GET TO KOH TAO
Koh Tao Island is only accessible by fast boat or ferry. From the mainland, there are daily boats leaving from Chumphon and Surat Thani.
Lomprayah is reputably the best boat/bus company to travel within Thailand, offering bus transfers and fast boat services to the islands.
I always use Bookaway to search for all bus and boat services to Koh Tao. It’s the best way to book online ahead of time and get guaranteed the best rates.
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HOW TO GET AROUND
The best way to get around to all of the beaches in Koh Tao is to rent a scooter for 150 Baht per day to explore all four corners of the island.
There are dozens of scooter rental stores in and around town and most accommodations offer scooter rentals too.
BEST TIME TO VISIT KOH TAO
Koh Tao Island has great beach weather all year round except in October and November, the wettest months.
The peak season in Koh Tao is typically between December and February.
WHERE TO STAY IN KOH TAO
Koh Tao has dozens of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Sai Daeng Resort Koh Tao
I personally stayed at Sai Daeng Resort and can’t recommend this place enough!
This 4-star accommodation is located right on the beachfront and features an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, and a restaurant on the beach, water sports activities, a shared lounge, free wifi, and shuttle service.
The rooms are modern and spacious, fitted with air conditioning, flat-screen tv, a fridge and kettle, a work desk, a private bathroom, and a balcony with ocean views.
It’s the perfect place to stay for couples, families, and friends.
Mid Range: Wind Beach Resort
Wind Beach Resort is the best value-pick accommodation located in the main tourist hub, Sairee Beach.
Featuring a beachfront bar and restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, Thai massage services, and free wifi.
The rooms are fitted with beautiful wooden furniture and decor, air conditioning, flat-screen tv, minibar, ensuite bathroom, and ocean views.
Great place to stay in Koh Tao for couples, friends, and families.
Budget: Indie Hostel – Koh Tao
Koh Tao Central Hostel is rated one of the best budget accommodations for solo travelers, friends, and couples.
Centrally located in Mae Hadd and within walking distance of the beach.
There are dormitory-style rooms with air conditioning, free wifi, power sockets, lockers, and privacy curtains on all beds.
Also at this hostel is a shared outdoor deck with cushions and a common area for guests to enjoy during their stay.
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN KOH TAO, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR KOH TAO
When visiting Koh Tao, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
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FINAL THOUGHTS – BEACHES IN KOH TAO
I hope you found this guide useful and if you have any questions about Koh Tao, please leave a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
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