Koh Tao is an ideal island for many reasons: it is the heaven for scuba divers; if you visit Thailand during the European summer season there won't be monsoons and the climate will be better than in other islands; it is small so you can easily get from one place to another; it has night life and beach shows; it is quite and not very crowded... and many more! Above all, Koh Tao stands out for its amazing seaside and its aquatic flora and fauna. This is why in this post I will write about the best beaches on the island, that is basically what you go to Koh Tao for. Obviously, there are temples too, but at this point you are probably a bit tired of them.
- Koh Nang Yuan
This tiny island located right next to Koh Tao is easily accessible by a long tail boat that you can take in Sairee Beach for 300 THB by person (round trip). Some hotels that are next to the sea and have a little harbour, like the one I went to, offer this service by themselves at a lower price. It is, for sure, the most recognisable image of the island (you can see a picture in the front of the article) and, despite the fact that a mass of tourists visit it everyday, in my opinion it is worth a visit.
Before going to Koh Nang Yuan you need to consider some important information: it is only "opened" from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; you can't go in with food or drinks (a person in the entrance will look through your bags); you need to wear simple flip flops because the special ones for rocks can damage the sea habitat); you need to pay 100 THB to get in; there is a restaurant on the island and also hammocks and umbrellas for you to rent (200 THB).
Koh Nang Yuan is incredible for its super clear water and also the fact that it is formed of three different islands that are joined by a long and white sand beach. Basically, what you can do there is walking up to a viewpoint in where you will be able to take the most typical photo of the island, sunbathing in the sand, swimming, eating in the restaurant and, finally, doing a diving course to see the magnificent creatures that are below the sea.
Although some people that have gone there recommend not to visit the island, in my opinion it is a place that you will never forget and that deserves to be seen even if it is really crowded by tourists.
- Sairee beach
Sairee beach is one of the most famous ones in Koh Tao, not only because from there you can go to Koh Nang Yuan but also because of the gorgeous crystalline water and fine sand. It is two kilometres long and is on the West side of the island. In there you will find palm trees, swings and many restaurants next to the shore. At night, there are fire shows and also music for the most party tourists.
- Thiang Og bay (Shark beach)
As it English name suggests, this beach is engaging because of the creatures that can be found in its water: little reef sharks. For this reason, the best you can do at Thianag Og bay is snorkeling (the sharks are harmless), as there are sea turtles. In summary, this is the best option for animal lovers, but its beautiful water will please everybody.
- Tanote Bay
This beach can be found on the East coast of Koh Tao, and has a large beach area to sunbathe, play games or have a picnic. From it, you will see the sunrise so you can take profit of the mild sun because it doesn't have many trees and you will hardly find any shade. One interesting thing about Tanote Bay is that you can rent some kayaks to get to another bay, Laem Thian, where you can't access by car.
- Freedom Beach
What is special about this beach is the fact that from it you can see the "rocks of the spirits", called Hin Taa Toh in Thailand (they are peculiar due to their shape and big size). It is small, though it has a restaurant that will provide you good food and music. Moreover, you can climb up to a viewpoint from where you will be able to admire the amazing views.
- Taa Toh Beach
The best about this beach is the fact that, although it is small, the atmosphere is very cool thanks to the volleyball net and the hammock in the sea that it has. Luckily, it is not busy so you can enjoy all these features quietly, with your family or friends. Usually there is music played all day long and you can buy a cocktail to conclude a perfect day.
Comments