Even as a first-time visitor, you’ve probably already heard about Koh Tao — the smallest of Thailand’s three famous Gulf islands, sitting just next to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.
What this tiny island lacks in size, it makes up for with stunning stretches of sand, crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and that laid-back vibe we instantly fell in love with.
Whether you’re here to relax on the shore, snorkel among colorful corals, or take the plunge and do your PADI diving course, Koh Tao is a dream for water lovers.
Many of the beaches here look like they’ve been pulled straight from a postcard — clean white sand, turquoise water, and swaying palm trees.
We still remember our first afternoon on the island: renting a scooter, following winding coastal roads, and stumbling upon a quiet little cove where we ended up spending the whole day swimming and watching the sunset.
Exploring Koh Tao Beaches is one of the best things you can do on the island.
If this little Island isn’t on your Thailand itinerary, make sure to add it there; you won’t regret it. All the recommendations in this guide come from our own time on the island.
Map of all the best beaches in Koh Tao
9 Best Beaches in Koh Tao
1. Tanote Bay
Tanote Bay (also known as Ao Tanot Bay) instantly became one of our favorites, and it’s easy to see why it’s often listed among the best snorkeling spots in Koh Tao.
Think soft, clean sand, turquoise waters, and some of the best snorkeling we experienced on the island. The coral reefs here are full of life, and as soon as you step into the water, you’re greeted by schools of colorful parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish.
We even got lucky and spotted a black-tip reef shark for a few seconds — a real “wow” moment.
The setting is just as beautiful above the water. One side of the beach is dotted with massive granite boulders, the other with villas, while the jungle creates a lush green backdrop.
The water entry is gradual and comfortable, making it easy for swimming and snorkeling. A short swim from shore takes you to a large boulder that doubles as a cliff-jumping spot.
We couldn’t resist giving it a try — it’s about 6–8 meters high, depending on where you stand. There’s a rope to help you climb up, and the water below is deep enough to make the jump safe.
If you plan to stay for a while (and trust us, you’ll want to), a small beachfront bar serves cold drinks, snacks, and simple Thai meals, so you don’t need to bring much with you.
The drop from the boulder to the water is from 6 to 8 meters depending on where you stand. But the water is deep enough so you don’t have to worry about it since it’s safe. You certainly won’t hit a bottom or corals with your feet.
A simple bar on Tanote Beach sells water, snacks, as well as simple Thai food.
Read our complete guide about Tanote Bay before your visit.
2. Freedom Beach
Entrance fee: 50 THB
Parking fee: 50 THB for motorbike
Freedom Beach is much smaller than Tanote Bay, but it quickly became one of our favorites for a relaxing morning. Since it’s on private property, there’s an entrance fee of 50 THB, and if you come by scooter, you’ll also pay 50 THB for parking.
The good part? Your ticket includes access to John Suwan Viewpoint — one of the most beautiful spots on Koh Tao. We went up there early, around 7 AM, and had it completely to ourselves.
Sitting there in the quiet, with the first light over the island, was honestly magical. After enjoying the view, we made our way down to the beach, which is just a short 2–3 minute walk from the parking area.
What we loved here was how laid-back it felt compared to some other Koh Tao beaches. There are free sunbeds included in your ticket, and you can move them wherever you like — we dragged ours under the trees for some shade since the sand gets hot later in the day.
In the morning, it was peaceful, but by 9–10 AM, more people started arriving, so early is definitely the way to go. There’s a small restaurant with Thai dishes, cold drinks, and toilets, but no showers.
While we didn’t come here for the snorkeling (and honestly, it’s not great — most corals are dead), the beach is perfect for just laying back and enjoying the view. If you’re planning to swim, avoid low tide as the water becomes too shallow near the shore.
For us, Freedom Beach was more about the calm vibe and the bonus of having the viewpoint in the same visit, making it a really easy and enjoyable half-day trip.
Read our complete guide about Freedom Beach — everything you need to know before you go.
3. Sairee Beach
Sairee Beach is the most visited on the whole island and the clear favorite among backpackers. And honestly, we totally get why — it’s where the island’s energy comes alive.
Most of Koh Tao’s accommodations, restaurants, cafés, and bars are within walking distance, so you’re never far from food, drinks, or a good night out.
Even with plenty of people coming every day, the beach never feels overcrowded thanks to its size. It’s the largest beach on Koh Tao, stretching almost 2 kilometers, so there’s always space to find your own little spot.
We loved that we could go from a quiet morning coffee on the sand to a lively evening with live music or fire shows without even leaving the area.
The sunsets here are something else. We ended up watching the sunset here almost every evening of our stay, and every single time, the colors were different. We’d grab a couple of drinks, sink our toes into the sand, and enjoy the show.
The water entry is soft and gradual, perfect for swimming. That said, Sairee isn’t great for snorkeling — there’s not much marine life compared to places like Tanote Bay or Shark Bay.
Another thing we loved is how easy it is to take a boat taxi from here to Koh Nang Yuan. We went once for the day, and the contrast between the lively vibe of Sairee and the peaceful beauty of Koh Nang Yuan made it feel like we got two completely different experiences in one trip.
4. Sai Daeng Beach
Sai Daeng Beach feels like one of those hidden corners of Koh Tao where time slows down. It’s much quieter than the more famous beaches, making it perfect if you’re craving some peace and relaxation.
The sand is clean and soft in most parts, though you’ll find small pebbles mixed in here and there — we didn’t mind at all, it added a bit of natural character to the place.
What makes this beach really special is the underwater world just a few meters from the shore. The water is crystal clear, the coral reefs are colorful and full of life, and fish seem to be everywhere.
Within minutes, we were swimming among schools of bright parrotfish, angelfish, and even spotted a curious pufferfish. If you’re lucky, you might even see sea turtles in this area — we weren’t so lucky this time, but other travelers told us they often show up.
Access to the water can be a bit tricky because of the corals and shallow patches, so we recommend wearing water shoes to protect your feet from sharp rocks.
There’s also a small diving center here, CV Divers, which offers PADI courses and more personalized scuba and freediving trips — a great option if you want a quieter alternative to the busier dive schools elsewhere on the island.
Another thing we loved? You don’t need to pack lunch. A few beachfront restaurants serve tasty Thai food, fresh seafood, and cold drinks with picture-perfect sea views.
The best way to get to Sai Daeng is by motorbike. The road is a little steep in parts, but nothing too crazy — take it slow and enjoy the ride.
Read our complete guide about Sai Daeng Beach.
Our THAILAND locations in your Google Maps
Includes 167 pins on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, & Koh Tao:
🐠 Best beaches and snorkeling spots
👀 Viewpoints, Sunset Points
☕️Cafes & restaurants
🍹Bars, nightlife
🏨 Recommended Hotels
⛴️ Important transport points
⭐️ Lifelong updates
See more5. Shark Bay (Ao Thian Og)
Entrance fee: 100 TBH
Shark Bay, also called Thian Og Bay, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Koh Tao and a place you’ll likely hear about before you even set foot on the island.
The long stretch of soft white sand lined with palm trees is exactly what you’d expect from a tropical paradise. It’s a perfect spot to relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy the laid-back island vibe.
The bay is famous for its clear waters, healthy population of black-tip reef sharks, and the occasional turtle sighting. Don’t worry — the sharks here are completely harmless, and swimming alongside them is an unforgettable experience.
There aren’t too many colorful corals (most are bleached or dead), but the marine life more than makes up for it, with plenty of fish darting around.
Unfortunately, our own visit wasn’t quite as magical — we came unprepared and didn’t check the tide beforehand. The low tide made the water too shallow for enjoyable snorkeling, and we couldn’t swim out far enough to see much.
So here’s our tip: come during high tide. That’s when the water is deep enough to comfortably snorkel around the corals and look for reef sharks and turtles.
Around the bay, you’ll find a mix of accommodations, from budget stays to luxury resorts, making it easy to spend a night or two here if you want the beach right on your doorstep. And if you’re looking for a post-swim refreshment, head to Shark View Bar.
6. Koh Nang Yuan
Entrance fee: 50 TBH
Koh Nang Yuan is actually a group of three tiny islands connected by a stunning white sandbar — the kind of place that instantly makes you think, “This is why we came to Thailand.” Just a short boat ride from Koh Tao, it’s one of the island’s most famous spots, and honestly, it lived up to the hype for us.
We came here on a sunny morning, and the moment our boat pulled up, we were blown away by how clear and turquoise the water was. It almost looked unreal. The snorkeling here is fantastic — we saw colorful parrotfish, butterflyfish, and even a titan triggerfish that got a little too curious about us.
One of our favorite parts was exploring Japanese Gardens just off the coast — the variety of corals and marine life here makes it one of the best snorkeling spots we’ve experienced in Thailand, together with Tanote Bay.
When we needed a break, we grabbed some drinks from the small kiosk and relaxed under an umbrella. The island has everything you need — a restaurant, toilets, and gear rentals — so you can easily spend hours here without worrying about bringing too much.
We also hiked up to the famous Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint. The view from the top was jaw-dropping, with the sandbar curving between the islands and the bright blue sea stretching into the horizon. If you can, come early to avoid the big tour groups.
We got here by a quick longtail boat from Mae Haad Pier, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can paddle over on a SUP — we recommend SUP Tao for the best boards.
Just don’t even think about swimming across, no matter how close it looks. The currents are strong and dangerous, and it’s not worth the risk.
If we could give one piece of advice, it’s this — plan at least half a day here. Between snorkeling, relaxing, and soaking up the views, time flies, and you won’t want to leave.
TIP: Join the Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and also explore other hidden bays of Koh Tao on the boat.
7. Chalok Baan Kao Bay
Chalok Baan Kao Beach instantly gave us those perfect tropical paradise vibes. From the moment we stepped onto the wide, sandy shore lined with swaying palm trees, we knew we’d be spending more than just an hour here.
The beach is dotted with colorful bean bags, beach bars, and plenty of restaurants where you can grab anything from Thai classics to a fresh coconut.
Like most Koh Tao beaches, the snorkeling here is great — but timing is everything. We came during low tide once, and while the view was still beautiful, the water was too shallow to really enjoy swimming or exploring underwater.
On our second visit, we came during high tide, and it completely changed the experience. The water was deeper, clearer, and perfect for spotting small schools of fish near the reefs.
One of our favorite things about Chalok Baan Kao was how relaxed it felt compared to busier spots like Sairee Beach, plus it’s super easy to reach — we parked our scooter just a few meters from the sand, completely free of charge.
If you’re in the mood to explore, walk east along the beach and you’ll find yourself heading toward Freedom Beach, John Suwan Viewpoint, and Shark Bay.
8. Ao Leuk Beach
Entrance fee: 100 TBH
Ao Leuk Beach completely stole our hearts and quickly became one of our favorite spots on Koh Tao. Nestled between Shark Bay and Tanote Bay, this little slice of paradise has everything you dream of in a tropical beach — powdery white sand, crystal-clear water, and incredible snorkeling just steps from shore.
There’s a small entrance fee of 100 THB since the bay is part of a resort, but honestly, for a whole day here, it’s worth every baht. We paid it without hesitation and ended up staying for hours.
What we loved most about Ao Leuk was how easy and enjoyable it was to explore underwater. There are no sharp rocks underfoot, just a sandy bottom that quickly gives way to vibrant coral gardens. The best snorkeling is along the rocks on either side of the bay.
If you’re lucky, you might see baby black-tip reef sharks — this bay is a nursery for them! The trick is to stay calm and avoid splashing around too much; they’re curious but shy.
The water here gets deeper the further you swim out, making it perfect for both casual snorkelers and those who want to dive a little deeper.
On land, you’ll find a couple of hotels if you want to stay overnight, plus a beachfront restaurant where we enjoyed a cold drink and fresh Thai food between swims. Sunbeds are available for rent if you don’t want to lay on the sand.
9. June Juea Beach
Entrance fee: free
June Juea Beach is one of those hidden gems on Koh Tao that many people skip — and that’s exactly what makes it so special. Tucked away on the quieter side of the island, this small, secluded beach has a peaceful charm you won’t find on the busier stretches of sand.
The snorkeling here is good but not the best on the island. During our visit, we saw plenty of fish, but many corals were unfortunately dead. And just like our not-so-smart decision at Shark Bay, we made the same mistake again by coming during low tide.
Swimming around corals in such shallow water was tricky — and honestly, not very enjoyable. Learn from us: plan your visit during high tide so you can properly swim and explore without worrying about scraping your feet.
One thing we loved about June Juea Beach was how quiet it was. Facilities are minimal — there’s just one restaurant right on the beach, but they do rent out snorkeling gear and kayaks.
If you’d like to stay nearby, there are a few resorts and bungalows within walking distance. We got here by motorbike, and while the roads are a bit narrow and steep in parts, they’re manageable with some care.
We even got lost once when the GPS decided to be creative, but a friendly local pointed us in the right direction. Parking is free and just a short 1–2 minute walk from the sand.
Where to stay on Koh Tao
The most popular area to stay is around Sairee Beach. You’ll find most restaurants around. However, this area is also a bit too loud, both during the day and night. If you’re coming to Koh Tao to relax, stay near one of many beaches.
We wrote a complete guide describing where to stay on Koh Tao, including the best areas as well as hotels and hostels for every budget.
Best hotels on Koh Tao
Check availability
How to get around
Rent a Scooter
Renting a scooter is the most common and convenient way to get around Koh Tao. It gives you complete freedom to explore beaches, viewpoints, and hidden spots at your own pace.
Roads can be steep and narrow in some parts, so make sure you’re confident riding and always wear a helmet. We rented a scooter for our entire stay, which made getting to all the places much easier.
Taxis
If you don’t want to drive, you can use local taxis (songthaews). They’re more expensive than scooters, especially if you’re going to remote beaches, so it’s worth sharing the ride with others to split the cost.
Keep in mind that it might be hard to get back from some remote beaches, as songthaews are not always available in such places, so plan your return in advance.
Note: There’s no public transport like buses on Koh Tao, so your options are limited to renting a scooter or taking a taxi.
Best snorkeling tours on Koh Tao
- Tour by Oxygen – Oxygen is the most popular company organizing morning and afternoon snorkeling tours each day. A simple Thai lunch is included together with cofee, tea and snakcs. Their guides are professional and ethusiastic about what they do.
- Insea Speedboat – A perfect day trip from Koh Samui. You will visit Koh Nang Yuan, the bays of Koh Tao, and even Koh Phangan. Expect a longer travel time though.
- Wooden Vintage Boat – Expect a friendly crew and professional services. This tour departs later (10 am) than the Oxygen (9 am). Otherwise, it’s very similar.
Best time to visit Koh Tao
Dry season: December – April
Rainy season: October – December
Koh Tao has its dry season between December and April, together with the rest of Thailand. The weather is mostly sunny with almost no rain. However, since December is on the border between monsoon and dry season, you might still experience rainy evenings.
The period between February and May is known as a hot and dry season. April is usually the hottest month. Koh Tao is a relatively humid island, with around 80% humidity. Keep this in mind and stay hydrated throughout the day. The water visibility is the best in this season.
While the west coast of Thailand is hit by southwest monsoon between May and October, Koh Tao is not very affected by this. The weather is mostly dry and windy. Therefore, the sea is not as calm anymore. But you can already expect some rainfall, mostly during late afternoons and nights.
The rainy season in Koh Tao usually starts late in October and lasts until December. November is experiencing the heaviest rains. If the monsoons arrive later, the rainy season may last longer.
Final thoughts on the Best Beaches of Koh Tao
Koh Tao might be small, but when it comes to beaches, it’s absolute heaven. Whether you’re here for world-class snorkeling, quiet hideaways, or wide sandy stretches perfect for sunsets, you’ll find a spot that feels like your own slice of paradise.
For us, Tanote Bay stole the show for snorkeling, while Sairee Beach had the best sunsets and lively vibe. But honestly, every beach we visited had something special — and exploring them all was one of our favorite parts of the trip.
If you’re planning your Thailand itinerary, make sure Koh Tao is on it. Spend at least a few days hopping between beaches, and don’t forget to time your visits with the tides so you can enjoy them at their best.
