DISCOVER SHARK BAY KOH TAO!
Shark Bay Koh Tao, also known by the local name Thian Og Bay, is rated one of the best Koh Tao snorkeling spots on the island. Shark Bay Koh Tao aptly gets its name from the frequent blacktip reef sharks that enter the bay.
I have put together this complete guide to Shark Bay Koh Tao including how to get there and what to expect!
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HOW TO GET TO SHARK BAY KOH TAO
Shark Bay Koh Tao is a 15-minute drive from Sairee Beach, the main tourist hub on the island.
Shark Bay Koh Tao can be accessed through the Haad Tien Beach Resort. Park out the front of the resort and then follow the signs pointing the way to Shark Beach Koh Tao.
The best way to get around Koh Tao is to rent a scooter for 150 Baht per day to explore all four corners of the island. There are dozens of scooter rental stores in and around town and most accommodations offer scooter rentals too.
Find All ∼ Hostels & Resorts in Koh Tao
PIN LOCATION OF SHARK BAY KOH TAO
Shark Bay Koh Tao – Best Koh Tao Snorkeling
Exploring the beach at Koh Tao Shark Bay
SHARK BAY KOH TAO
When I visited Koh Tao Shark Bay I actually paddled into the bay on my kayak that I rented from my accommodation, Sai Daeng Resort, which is located just right around the corner.
I beached my kayak on the shore and I was blown away by the bright turquoise waters and the fine white sand at Shark Bay Koh Tao!
There is lots of exploring to do at Shark Bay Koh Tao and you MUST go snorkeling to try your luck at spotting a blacktip reef shark.
The sharks are harmless so you don’t have to worry about being bitten, just be sure to give them their space to move around. Also, keep a sharp eye for some green sea turtles that frequently get around Shark Bay Koh Tao.
Must Read → 15 Things To Do In Koh Tao
Turquoise water at Shark Bay Koh Tao
Green sea turtle at Shark Bay Koh Tao
SHARK BAY KOH TAO
Unfortunately, I didn’t encounter any blacktip reef sharks at Shark Bay Koh Tao but I was lucky to swim with a turtle that I spotted cruising around!
If you don’t have your own snorkel gear, you can rent a set from the resort or the restaurant down on the beach.
Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated with Hydro Flask! I take this water bottle with me on all of my adventures. Hydro Flask keeps your water icy cold all day and you’ll also be helping out the environment by reducing the use of single-use plastics.
Also, I highly recommend renting a kayak or taking a local boat out to Shark Island to explore the outer reefs!
I kayaked over to Shark Island Koh Tao, tied my kayak off to a floating buoy and dived straight in to see what I could find. There was an abundance of colorful corals and schools of friendly fish circling around me as I explored the underwater world here at Shark Bay Koh Tao.
Drone shot of Shark Island Koh Tao
OTHER SPOTS NEAR SHARK BAY KOH TAO
After snorkeling at Shark Bay Koh Tao be sure to check out the nearby Freedom Beach, Taa Toh Bay and John Suwan Viewpoint which are a few more of the best Koh Tao beaches and viewpoints.
WHERE TO STAY IN KOH TAO
Koh Tao has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few the best places to stay near Shark Bay Koh Tao to suit the needs of budget backpackers and luxury travelers.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Sai Daeng Resort Koh Tao
I personally stayed at Sai Daeng Resort and can’t recommend this place enough! This 4-star accommodation is located right on the beachfront and features an outdoor swimming pool, a bar and restaurant on the beach, water sports activities, a shared lounge, free wifi and shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious, fitted with air conditioning, flat-screen tv, a fridge and kettle, work desk, private bathroom and balcony with ocean views. Buffet breakfast is also included for all guests. Perfect place to stay for couples, families and friends.
Mid Range: Wind Beach Resort
Wind Beach Resort is the best value-pick accommodation located in the main tourist hub, Sairee Beach. Featuring a beachfront bar and restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, Thai massage services and free wifi. The rooms are fitted with beautiful wooden furniture and decor, air conditioning, flat-screen tv, minibar, ensuite bathroom and ocean views. Great place to stay in Koh Tao for couples, friends and families.
Budget: Koh Tao Central Hostel
Koh Tao Central Hostel is rated one of the best budget accommodations for solo travelers, friends and couples. Centrally located in Mae Hadd and walking distance to the beach. There are dormitory-style rooms with air conditioning, free wifi, power sockets, lockers and privacy curtains on all beds. Also at this hostel is a shared outdoor deck with cushions and a common area for guests to enjoy during their stay.
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN KOH TAO, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
KOH TAO BEACHES – GETTING AROUND
The best way to get around to all of the Koh Tao Beaches is to rent a scooter for 150 Baht per day to explore all four corners of the island.
There are dozens of scooter rental stores in and around town and most accommodations offer scooter rentals too.
LONELY PLANET – THAILAND
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Thailand Travel Guide!
BUY NOW ON AMAZON → LONELY PLANET THAILAND
MORE THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDES
Thailand Travel Guide: 3 Week Thailand Itinerary
Bangkok Travel Guide: 5 Things To Do In Bangkok
Koh Tao Travel Guide: 15 Things To Do In Koh Tao
Chiang Mai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Chiang Mai
Pai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Pai
Krabi Travel Guide: 5 Best Beaches in Krabi
AIRBNB KOH TAO
Another option for accommodation in Koh Tao is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals!
WANT TO SAVE $$$ ON AIRBNB? GET MY AIRBNB MONEY SAVING GUIDE
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WHAT TO PACK FOR KOH TAO
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHING
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MY SHOP
Before you go, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
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FINAL THOUGHTS OF SHARK BAY KOH TAO
If you have any questions at all about Shark Bay Koh Tao please drop me a line below and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
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Hey, I’m Jonny – surfer, skater, photographer, and coffee-lover from Australia!
With a burning passion for travel and the outdoors, I launched this Adventure Travel Blog in 2017, and I’ve been exploring the world ever since!
My little corner of the interwebs is a space where I love to share all of my epic adventures, cultural experiences, and captivating photos from around the globe with the ultimate goal to inspire and motivate other like-minded travelers to explore this wonderful earth too!
