3 Best Sights in Koh Tao, The Gulf Coast Beaches

A peaceful strand on Koh Tao's southern shore, Chalok Baan Kao has a relaxed, friendly vibe. The beach itself lacks the crystal-blue water and golden sands of other beaches in the region, but it's reasonably good for swimming. Budget accommodations surround the beach. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming.

The three small islands of Koh Nang Yuan lie close to Koh Tao. At high tide the islands, separated by shallow, translucent water, look like the endpoints of an obtuse triangle. At low tide the receding water exposes two narrow sandbars that connect the outer islands, which contain bungalows for overnight stays, to the central island, which has a lodge, a restaurant and beach bar, and a coffee shop. The islands are privately owned by the Nangyuan Island Dive Resort, and all visitors who wish to set foot on Koh Nang Yuan must shell out a small fee. Although many visitors opt to pay, others simply dock offshore to snorkel and dive the gorgeous waters surrounding the islands. To get here from Koh Tao, you can kayak from Sairee Beach or hire a longtail boat (B200 round-trip from Sairee) to ferry you here. The trip takes about 15 minutes—it works best to arrange your return with the same operator. While you are visiting, be sure to slip up to the viewpoint on the southern island to snap photos guaranteed to make your friends back home jealous.

The islands are busy throughout the day; it's best to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Palm trees at crescent-shaped Sairee, Koh Tao's most popular beach, arch over the aquamarine water as if yearning to sip from the sea. Along the thin sliver of golden sand sit rustic, traditional wooden beach huts with bohemian youths lounging in hammocks, novice divers practicing in seaside pools, and European students sampling cocktails at basic beach bars. On the far northern end of the beach, a few resorts nestle amid manicured landscapes. Sairee faces west, making it great for watching the sunset and for kayaking to Koh Nang Yuan. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset.