Beaches & viewpoints
Pick your shade of turquoise.
Big social beaches, boat-only coves and five viewpoints to earn your sunset.
Beaches & viewpoints
Big social beaches, boat-only coves and five viewpoints to earn your sunset.
The coastline
Koh Tao is barely 21 square kilometres, but its coast keeps changing character as you round each headland. The west coast is one long, easy sweep of sand at Sairee; the south softens into the calm bays of Chalok; and the wild east is a string of coves you can really only reach by boot or by boat.
The postcard is Koh Nang Yuan, three tiny islands stitched together by a white sandbar ten minutes offshore: climb the viewpoint at opening time, then snorkel the Japanese Gardens before the day-trippers arrive. Closer in, the snorkelling is straight off the sand, green turtles at Shark Bay and reef fish along most of the west coast.
For the quiet ones, walk or ride up to the viewpoints, John-Suwan above the south being the most photographed, or hire a longtail to reach the boat-only bays on the east side. Here are the beaches worth building a day around.
The big four
The classic
1.7 km of sand on the west coast: dive schools by day, fire shows and beach bars by night. If Koh Tao has a main street, this is it, and it's made of sand.
The postcard
Three tiny islands stitched together by a white sandbar, ten minutes by longtail. Go early, climb the viewpoint, snorkel the Japanese Gardens before the crowds.
See the half-day trip Koh Nang Yuan guide
The slow one
A calm, shallow bay on the south coast where mornings stretch until noon. Family-run resorts, quiet restaurants and Shark Bay's turtles next door.
The gateway
Where every ferry lands and every journey starts. Markets, cafés, the pier promenade, and a surprisingly lovely beach once the boats clear out.
Hidden coves
Boulders, snorkelling and a famous cliff jump.
Turquoise shallows teeming with juvenile fish.
A hidden pocket of sand below John-Suwan.
Hammocks, coconut palms, no road access.
The east coast's deep, glassy snorkel bay.
Boat-only access and water like a swimming pool.
The shortcut
The full-island snorkel tour hits five bays and Koh Nang Yuan, with lunch on board. Most of these coves are boat-only anyway.
Earn the view
Two bays at once: the island's most famous panorama.
The shot on every postcard. Worth every step.
Sunset platform with the whole west coast below.
A locals' favourite above Chalok. Bring a drink.
The highest lookout on the island, jungle all the way.