Hat Laem Thian

Ko Tao


In the lee of the headland, this secluded and sheltered little white-sand beach in the middle of the east coast, north of Ao Tanot, is a delightful place with excellent snorkelling, fabulous rock jumping and very clear waters. It's quite a hike (1½ hours from Sairee Village) to get here along a dirt track; so in truth it's better to arrive by long-tail boat. There's the shell of an old resort here, crumbling away and covered in graffiti.

If you do hike, take loads of water, a sun hat, appropriate footwear and sunscreen.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ko Tao attractions

1. Ao Tanot

0.53 MILES

With crystal-clear waters and superb snorkelling, pretty Ao Tanot on the east coast also affords excellent rock-jumping opportunities from the huge…

2. West Coast Viewpoint

1.05 MILES

This superb viewpoint in the middle of the island affords gloriously sprawling views of the west and northwest of the island from near two large boulders…

3. Hin Wong

1.1 MILES

This lovely bay on the east of the island across from Sairee Beach is boulder-strewn and the water is beautifully clear with excellent snorkelling. The…

4. Ao Leuk

1.56 MILES

This lovely little sheltered bay with coral reefs on the east coast is a charmer and the snorkelling is excellent for exploring its sandy depths and…

5. Gallery

1.76 MILES

The only gallery on Ko Tao displays the photography of long term resident Chris Clarke who specialises in capturing the island's stunning night sky,…

6. Ko Tao Temple

1.87 MILES

Next to Ko Tao school, this is the finest Buddhist temple on the island. It is a haven of peace and solitude and boasts a stunning white central building…

7. King Rama V Boulder & Statue

1.9 MILES

Long before Ko Tao was inhabited by people, in 1899, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) visited the island, and as seems to have been a habit of his, he carved…

8. Mango Viewpoint

2.24 MILES

With glorious vistas from up high, this viewpoint can be reached by motorbike but it’s not advisable for inexperienced two wheelers. Arguably it’s more…