Tanote Bay on Koh Tao Island is easily one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches. Moreover, this hidden paradise is a little bit of a hike to reach but is absolutely worth the idyllic setting.
Besides, there are a number of beaches on Koh Tao that tourists tend to flock to (ahem, Sairee Beach), however, Tanote has its own special charm. The beach has large boulders scattered around the water and shoreline, the golden sand and blue water is the ultimate contrast and the coral reefs are stunning to explore!
If you plan to visit Koh Tao Island, you absolutely need to check out this beach, even for just a few hours! It’s totally worth the effort, and you’ll be thankful you stopped by to relax for a little while.
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Where Is Tanote Bay and How Do I Get There?
Tanote Bay is on the east coast of Koh Tao Island in Thailand. So, it’s a little further off the beaten track and away from the main drag of Koh Tao, but it is an absolute paradise!
In order to reach Tanote Bay from the main area (around Sairee Beach), you will need to drive south on the main road and then take a left on the corner of ‘The Garden’ restaurant.
From there, you will simply need to follow the road all the way along until you reach the stunning bay. Keep in mind, there may be a fair bit of dirt or sand across the road, so take care when riding to this location.
Additionally, the hills towards the end of the ride are extremely steep and there are a number of sharp twists and turns around the mountain. Take it slow, and brake carefully.
I recommend parking by Montalay Beach Resort and paying 20 Thai Baht for parking. Then, follow the steps down towards the beach and enjoy absolute paradise!
Tip: Reaching this location by motorcycle is the easiest and cheapest option for one traveller. However, if you are visiting this spot in a group, it is worth it to hire a taxi!
Is Tanote Bay Worth Visiting?
Short answer, yes absolutely! I couldn’t believe just how stunning the beach was when I arrived, and it has to be one of my favourite beaches on the island. Now, I wouldn’t say it’s extremely under the radar, but a lot fewer people tend to visit this location as it’s not in the main part of the town.
However, I believe that’s what makes it special, as it’s a little harder to get to! It makes the effort worth the journey.
There are a number of things you can enjoy while visiting this gorgeous bay, in which I go into further detail about later.
Read more: 12 Things to Do in Koh Tao, Thailand: An Insiders Guide
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit?
The best time of year to visit Koh Tao is anywhere from February to April. Moreover, this is when the weather is usually driest and at the most comfortable temperature with the lowest humidity.
However, the rest of the year is usually warm, wet and humid, but is still absolutely enjoyable for island life!
Things to Do at Tanote Bay
There are a number of things you can do while visiting Tanote Bay. And, it’s great to be prepared so that you can get the most out of your day at the beach!
- Watch the Sunrise
A great day starts with a sunrise, right!? Tanote Bay offers one of the best spots to view the sunrise on Koh Tao with absolutely epic views over the Eastern coast. Moreover, you will get to enjoy watching the sun come up over the water as the sky fills with colour and brings the island to life.
So, be sure to check the sunrise time and get here early to enjoy the most beautiful start to the day!
- Snorkelling
This has to be one of the best spots for snorkelling on the island as the water gets deep reasonably quickly and there is a heap of shallow reefs.
Not to mention, there are loads of fish swimming around, and you may see some seriously cool things under the surface of the water.
- Enjoy Lunch at One of the Restaurants
There are a few restaurants scattered along the shoreline, and I highly recommend stopping in at one for lunch. Enjoy a delicious Thai curry or feel refreshed with an icy-cold smoothie.
Read more: The Best Food in Thailand: 15 Thai Dishes You Need to Try
- Relax on the Sand
Well, I guess you are on a tropical island, so why not kick your feet up and enjoy some time relaxing?! Besides, you don’t need to run around the entire time exploring every inch of the island, and this is the ultimate place to relax for a moment.
- Rock Jumping
Do you like to experience a bit of a thrill? Head out to the large rock in the water, and use the metal chain to pull yourself up onto the large boulder.
However, once you are up, the only way down is to jump into the water!
So, be sure you actually want to jump before climbing the rock!
- Explore the Depths of the Water by Scuba Diving
Last but not least, one of the best activities to do in Tanote Bay is to go scuba diving! However, you will need a license to take part in this activity.
Moreover, this is one of the more shallow dive sites with the deepest spot at 18m. Nonetheless, there is plenty of shallow coral to explore and also a small shipwreck and motorcycle!
Feel free to book a fun dive with one of the companies mentioned below.
What Do I Need to Bring?
For the most part, you only need to bring a few things to the beach for a day visit. Typically, I just recommend bringing what you would usually take for a beach trip! However, just to jog your memory, these are a few things I recommend taking:
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Towel
- Change of clothes
- Bathing suit / Board Shorts / Bikinis, etc
- Thongs / Flip Flops / Slides
- A small amount of cash for some food, drink, petrol, parking, etc
- A large bottle of water
Additional Beaches on Koh Tao
There are a number of additional beaches on Koh Tao that I recommend checking out. A few of these include:
- Shark Bay
- Sai Nuan Beach
- Jansom Bay
- Freedom Beach
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, Tanote Bay is an absolute ripper of a beach, and it was one of my all-time favourite spots on the island to hang out for the day.
If you want to discover a little more about Koh Tao, I highly recommend checking out the posts I have linked to this blog or check out a couple of the posts mentioned below. Happy reading!
Read more:
10 Best Restaurants in Koh Tao: The Best Places to Eat
Koh Tao Pub Crawl: Thailands Best Pub Crawl
