Looking for the best beaches in Koh Tao?

Koh Tao is my favorite island in Thailand (so far, at least).

It has everything you could ask for: a lively atmosphere, rolling hills with splendid views, amazing marine life, and most importantly – some absolutely incredible beaches.

I spent over a week riding a scooter around to every beach I could possibly find on the island in search of the best, and I’m going to count down my favorites in Koh Tao.

Note: If you’re planning a trip – or simply on the island and want to know what to do next – make sure to check out my 2–4 Day Koh Tao Itinerary to help organize your time on the island!

Map of the Best Beaches in Koh Tao

Note: This map runs on Offpath, an app I made for mapping the hidden gems I stumble into around the world. I used it here to plot every beach on the list – but there’s a lot more pinned inside. Check it out.

Scoring System

The scoring system I employed is simple.

Each beach will receive a score out of 10, with 5 points being given for natural beauty, 2.5 points for aquatic life (snorkeling), and 2.5 for other factors (how busy, hidden costs, special features). 

Any ties will be broken by gut feeling.

Note: If your main draw is snorkeling, make sure to read my post on the 6 Best Snorkeling Spots in Koh Tao!

Quick Breakdown

Hat Sai Daeng — 9.5/10 · Natural Beauty 5/5 · Snorkeling 2.5/2.5 · Other 2/2.5
June Juea — 9/10 · Natural Beauty 5/5 · Snorkeling 1.5/2.5 · Other 2.5/2.5
Mango Bay — 9/10 · Natural Beauty 5/5 · Snorkeling 2.5/2.5 · Other 1.5/2.5
Artlantis — 8.5/10 · Natural Beauty 3.5/5 · Snorkeling 2.5/2.5 · Other 2.5/2.5
Koh Nang Yuan — 8/10 · Natural Beauty 5/5 · Snorkeling 2/2.5 · Other 1/2.5
Tanote Bay — 8/10 · Natural Beauty 4/5 · Snorkeling 2/2.5 · Other 2/2.5
Freedom Secret — 8/10 · Natural Beauty 4/5 · Snorkeling 1.5/2.5 · Other 2.5/2.5
Ao Hin Wong — 7.5/10 · Natural Beauty 3.5/5 · Snorkeling 2/2.5 · Other 2/2.5
Shark Bay — 7/10 · Natural Beauty 4/5 · Snorkeling 2/2.5 · Other 1/2.5
Aow Leuk — 7/10 · Natural Beauty 4/5 · Snorkeling 2/2.5 · Other 1/2.5
Freedom Beach — 6.5/10 · Natural Beauty 3.5/5 · Snorkeling 1.5/2.5 · Other 1.5/2.5
Jansom Bay — 5/10 · Natural Beauty 3/5 · Snorkeling 1/2.5 · Other 1/2.5

The 12 Best Beaches in Koh Tao

12. Jansom Bay (5/10)

11. Freedom Beach (6.5/10)

Freedom Beach is located on a peninsula sticking out of the south end of Koh Tao. It’s a tiny peninsula, but home to three of the beaches on this list – as well as one of the best viewpoints on the island. I’ll get to that in a future post.

The beach is on the west-facing side of the peninsula, making it a great sunset spot. It’s quite small, giving it a charming vibe with lots of little trees close to the water’s edge.

Snorkeling is also good here – the water is shallow, and if you walk out and simply duck your head under the water, you’re likely to see swarms of fish. The shallowness loses Freedom Beach some points, but it does make it great if you have young children – they don’t even have to snorkel, just give them a pair of goggles and let them explore.

Now I think of it, that’s not the best tip as I don’t think I saw a single child on this island. Oh well – maybe it can still come in handy if you’ve got a friend that still hasn’t learnt to swim.

As a last note, there is a 50 baht charge to access Freedom Beach. However, this will also give you access to another beach on this list as well as the viewpoint I referred to earlier, so things could be worse.

Natural Beauty – 3.5/5
Snorkeling – 1.5/2.5
Other Factors – 1.5/2.5

10. Aow Leuk Beach (7/10)

Aow Leuk Beach is one of a group of three beaches located in the southeast part of the island.

These beaches – and don’t worry, we’ll get to the other two later – have the best snorkeling on the island, in my opinion. Which automatically gives them an advantage.

Aow Leuk lands on this list for its snorkeling and its overall beauty. As far as the snorkeling goes, it’s equally nice by either side of the beach near the rocks.

But if I’m being honest, were I going to this area I’d opt for Tanote Bay or Hat Sai Daeng instead (more on them later).

The reason for this is largely in the cost – while the other two are free to enter, Aow Leuk Beach charges an entrance fee of 100 baht.

However, this price includes a free soft drink and lounger. So, if you’re that type and want creature comfort on the beach, maybe make a day out of it and relax. It does get pretty packed though, that’s another thing.

Natural Beauty – 4/5
Snorkeling – 2/2.5
Other Factors – 1/2.5

9. Shark Bay (7/10)

Shark Bay is on the same little peninsula as Freedom Beach.

That’s about it for the similarities. For one, it’s on the other side. It’s also the more typical picture-perfect beach – long and wide, with perfect white sand.

The name Shark Bay was not chosen without thought. This beach is one of the best chances you’ll have to see a blacktip reef shark, the most common shark that inhabits the waters of Koh Tao. Unless you’re afraid of them, of course. I don’t see how – I happen to find them quite adorable. Something about the uneven, crooked, razor-sharp teeth.

In any event, go snorkeling here in the late afternoon for the best shot. The same goes for turtles.

Shark bay lost points for two main reasons. One is that it can get quite busy. The other is that you have to pay 100 baht to access the resort at Shark Bay, which you’ll need to do as it’s the only entrance to the beach.

Unless you drive further down the road, where you can pay 50. However, you won’t have access to the sand beach – only to rocks along the side. The snorkeling is still nice though, and that’s really the main draw here.

Natural Beauty – 4/5
Snorkeling – 2/2.5
Other Factors – 1/2.5

8. Ao Hin Wong Beach (7.5/10)

Ao Hin Wong is a great little spot. It was the closest beach to where I was staying, and it became my morning spot.

It’s super small – maybe 10 meters across. It’s on the eastern coast of the island so you get full morning sun and a very quiet atmosphere (later in the day it can get busy).

The sand here is also cool – it’s not perfectly smooth and white, but actually composed of very small, multi-colored rocks. Fascinating how beaches on a small island can have such different sand. Figure it must have to do with wind and wave patterns. Something for me to research in my free time.

Anyway, nice little spot. Note that there is a 20 baht parking fee for scooters.

Natural Beauty – 3.5/5
Snorkeling – 2/2.5
Other Factors – 2/2.5

7. Freedom Secret Beach (8/10)

So secret that I wasn’t even able to find it on the map – a great sign.

This isn’t the official name of this beach, just what I’m deciding to call it. So don’t try plugging it into google maps.

What you’ll do is park at the same spot you’d park at for Freedom Beach. Then walk, and you’ll reach a fork in the road: the right hand path goes down to Freedom Beach, and the left hand path heads up to John Suwan Viewpoint. You’re going to take the left hand path, and just continue straight. The viewpoint diverges off the path to the left at some point, but continue and you’ll arrive within a few minutes.

It’s a nice, small beach with similar benefits to Freedom Beach. Great snorkeling, sunset views.

Just without most of the people. There’ll be some, sure – there’s even a small bar on the right-hand side of the beach, so it may not be a complete secret, my deepest apologies – but it’s about as close as you’ll get on this island.

Natural Beauty – 4/5
Snorkeling – 1.5/2.5
Other Factors – 2.5/2.5

6. Tanote Bay (8/10)

At its face, Tanote Bay is nothing special. Sure, it’s super beautiful. But it can get real busy, and is not your lie down and meditate sort of place.

But that’s fine with me for a couple reasons. First, the snorkeling is great. There are some incredible reefs here, and they’re full of life – I saw a school of what must have been 30 barracudas here.

There’s also some artificial boxes set up to attract fish where scuba divers go. You can see them from afar from the surface, or free dive down if you’re comfortable with that. They’re just to the right of the huge rock out in front of the beach.

Which leads me to the second reason why I can bear the crowds at Tanote Bay. Which is that you can climb said huge rock, admire the views from the top and then jump off into the sea below.

It’s a pretty good jump – I’d guess around 10 meters (35 feet), although you can jump from a bit lower if you like (probably 7 meters).

Natural Beauty – 4/5
Snorkeling – 2/2.5
Other Factors – 2/2.5

5. Koh Nang Yuan (8/10)

This is one of the more unique beaches on our list.

Koh Nang Yuan is a collection of three small islands that are connected by a sandbar (unless it’s high tide). This sandbar is the beach.

Being an island, you have to take a boat to reach Koh Nang Yuan. You can charter a longtail from Sairee Beach or take the shuttle from Mae Haad Pier. Expect to pay between 250-400 Baht round-trip (the longtail is cheaper), as well as a 250 Baht entrance fee to the island.

Check the tides and try to time it for lower tide so the beach is bigger. It’s nice regardless though!

Make sure to go snorkeling. There are shallow reefs all around.

The only problem with Koh Nang Yuan is that it’s no secret – it has become one of the most popular places to visit for travelers in Koh Tao. That being said, it’s well worth a trip.

Natural Beauty – 5/5
Snorkeling – 2/2.5
Other Factors – 1/2.5

Note: Each of the trips above visits Koh Nang Yuan. Considering the combined cost of the boat and entrance fee, taking a tour isn’t that much more expensive, and you get to see other spots. (Plus, if you book I get a small commission 😉

4. Artlantis Beach (8.5/10)

So one of the best beaches in Koh Tao isn’t really a beach.

I’m not particularly sure if it has a name either. It’s a small enclosed area with sand and chairs and pathways down to the water. I’ve named it Artlantis Beach due to its proximity to the Artlantis resort and restaurant.

So this probably doesn’t sound all that appealing yet.

But this “beach” happens to be one of my favorites. For a few reasons.

One, it’s quiet. Hardly anyone knows about it. The ones who do are mainly the people who stay in the nearby resort.

Second, the snorkeling by the rocks is magnificent.

And the view. You get a direct view of the Nang Yuan islands, with the sun setting over them if you come at the correct time. They really seem so close, it was tempting to try and swim. Don’t. Unless you want to be minced by a rusted propeller.

Natural Beauty – 3.5/5
Snorkeling – 2.5/2.5
Other Factors – 2.5/2.5

3. Mango Bay (9/10)

Mango Bay is the only beach on the north side of Koh Tao, and it’s really magnificent.

The water is definitely some of the calmest and clearest there is on the island, and the small beach is surrounded by these awesome rock formations.

It’s an incredible snorkel spot, with a coral reef on either side. It’s also very popular with scuba divers, so expect to see some dive boats offshore.

You can access it by water taxi or by scooter/hike. I came here by boat while getting my diving certification, so I never came by land. That being said, I’ve heard that it’s pretty manageable.

Plug Mango Bay into Google Maps and drive to the parking area. I’ve heard the road is pretty rough, so you should be comfortable on a scooter before attempting.

Then hike down the winding staircase to the water. Once you get to the bottom, you can reach the beach by either clambering over the boulders or swimming.

Watch this video for a full breakdown!

But regardless of how you arrive, this beach is downright stunning.

Natural Beauty – 5/5
Snorkeling – 2.5/2.5
Other Factors – 1.5/2.5

Note: Each of the snorkeling trips above visits Mango Bay. They’re all pretty affordable ($20 USD range). If you don’t feel so confident on a scooter, it’s a great way to reach the bay! Plus, you get to visit some other beaches on this list.

2. June Juea Beach (9/10)

1. Hat Sai Daeng (9.5/10)

Hat Sai Daeng. The best of the beaches in Koh Tao. It checks practically every possible box.

First, you park up at the top and are treated to some magnificent panoramic views of the beach. Then you walk down through a really beautiful resort to get down to the water.

I generally would dock more points for a resort on the beach, but this one is really very low-key and tasteful, with the beach maintaining a natural feel. Still, it prevents Hat Sai Daeng from getting a perfect 10.

Now, the beach itself – the water is probably the clearest I’ve seen on the island. From above, you can see the alternating patterns of deep blue and bright sea green from the intermingling corals and sand on the ocean floor.

And the snorkeling is the best on the island. Specifically on the left side of the beach and around the corner (which you can see in the image at the top of this page). You’ve got a good chance of seeing turtles and blacktip reef sharks here, especially later in the afternoon.

Just be careful with the currents if you do go around the corner – they can get quite strong and you can get swept out pretty easily.

Natural Beauty – 5/5
Snorkeling – 2.5/2.5
Other Factors – 2/2.5

Logistics for Koh Tao Beaches

Getting Around Koh Tao: Renting a Scooter

You must have a scooter to fully explore the beaches of Koh Tao. And if you can’t drive one, make a friend that can.

There are places everywhere for scooter rentals on the island. You want to pick a place with good reviews on Google Maps – anything above a 4.5 with a good amount of reviews will work. I personally rented mine from Dudu’s.

You should be able to find a rental for around $6-8 USD a day. Try and find a place that takes a cash deposit instead of your passport – it’s not worth the risk.

Koh Tao Beach Entrance Fees

Most beaches on Koh Tao are free, but a handful charge a small entry or parking fee. I covered them individually throughout the post, but here’s the full rundown.

Prices are as of early 2026 – they may creep up over time, so treat these as a guide.

Beach	Fee
Koh Nang Yuan	250 THB
Jansom Bay	100 THB
Aow Leuk	100 THB
Shark Bay	100 THB
Both Freedom Beaches	50 THB
Ao Hin Wong	20 THB
Hat Sai Daeng, June Juea, Tanote Bay, Artlantis, Mango Bay	Free

Renting Snorkeling Gear

Most hostels rent snorkeling gear, as well as some places in town.

Several beaches rent them as well, but it’s not smart to rent from them if you plan to snorkel at multiple spots.

I paid 100 baht for mine from my hostel – expect to pay something similar.

Of course, you can also just pack a pair from home! For most of you, I assume that ship has sailed. But if not, by all means, and safe travels!