Take a fish guide slate with you to help identify a wide variety of species including wrasse, rabbit fish and parrot fish. There is also excellent shallow snorkeling off the rocks on the south side of the bay, where you can see a variety of reef fish commonly seen in the waters around Koh Tao. On a clear day at Sai Nuan beach, you can expect white sand, coconut palms and a clear, warm, turquoise sea gently lapping up to your toes, making Sai Nuan a great place to spend a day at the beach. This adds value to the relaxed and peaceful atmosphere and it is quite secluded as Sai Nuan beach is one of the least crowded beaches on Koh Tao. There is a small resort called Sai Thong with approximately 20 wooden Thai style bungalows that would have been built in the 1990’s. The first beach has a lovely and safe grass area where kids can play, there is a tree swing and hammocks hang between the palm trees. Sai Nuan beach is actually made up of two scenic beaches, separated by a rocky outcrop. The beach is signposted along the route and the walk takes around 25 minutes, although you may want to stop and take photos along the way. To reach Sai Nuan beach you can walk from Mae Haad behind the Sensi Paradise resort, Jansom Bay and Charm Churee Villa resort. This hidden gem of a beach is a throwback to the days when the first backpackers arrived on Koh Tao, long before the increase in development and it is a perfect beach to spend a lazy day on Koh Tao.

Koh Tao Beaches Thailand Sai Nuan Beach Koh Tao It is also a great location for a safe swim and if you enjoy snorkeling there is a lot of marine life you can see around the rocks. This area is very quiet and peaceful, great for reading a book, sunbathing and cooling down in the shallow water when you get too hot. Walk further north along the beach, past the three beachside hotels and the beach ends at the rocky headland, which separates Sairee beach from Mae Haad bay. This area of the beach is a very popular location to watch the stunning sunsets Koh Tao is famous for and people will gather here as the sun sets.

Mae Haad beach (north side) starts at Breeze Koh Tao restaurant, which is a popular venue to eat lunch, enjoy afternoon cocktails whilst taking advantage of the sun loungers on the beach. This beach is kept in pristine condition and is cleaned daily from any washed up debris. On the other side of the main pier is the northern end of Mae Haad Bay and beach with a safe swimming area that is cordoned off so boats cannot enter and you can swim safely without any problems. Near Sensi Paradise resort there is a 60-year old shipwreck that provides a home to a variety of reef fish and is a great snorkeling location with its own marine Ecosystem. The beach is clean, white and sandy, stretching all the way to Sensi Paradise resort at the far southern end. The south section of Mae Haad beach starts to get interesting and very inviting from Coconut Monkey, a popular coffee shop on the beach. Often overlooked due to their proximity to the pier, both north and south sections of Mae Haad beach (the pier splits the beach into two) offer a great place to spend a day at a beach.

Mae Haad Beach North – Koh Tao Mae Haad Beach Koh Tao (north and south) If you are not scuba diving or snorkeling and are looking for a day at one of the beaches on Koh Tao, you can follow along as we describe our favourite beaches. The island has lots of spectacular bays and beaches to keep even long-term visitors more than occupied with enough days at the beach to last a lifetime. Koh Tao is blessed with stunning natural beauty, a lush green jungle covering most of the island, palm tree lined bays and tropical turquoise waters lapping up to white sandy beaches.

Koh tao beach