SHARK BAY KOH TAO – The Complete Guide
Shark Bay Koh Tao is some of the best beaches in Koh Tao and is also a great place for snorkeling. Around Shark island you can even find sharks! But don’t be scared, if you just want to relax on the beach and take a dip in the crystal clear water of Shark Bay you will be safe. With plenty of natural shade and some beach bars, Shark Bay is a great place to relax for the day. Find here everything you need to know about Shark Bay Koh Tao. Book your snorkel tour to the best hidden bays of the island including Shark Bay here.
Best Koh Tao tours
If you want to explore Koh Tao then it is highly recommended to book your tour in advance. Choose your favorite tours here and secure your booking! All of these tours include air conditioned transport with hotel pick up and drop off, certified guides and sometimes also lunch and the entrance fees. You can reserve now and pay later, with cancellation up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.
- Thai Cooking Class Koh Tao. Rainy afternoon or just interested to learn Thai cooking? Then this activity is for you! In a small group you will learn how to cook Thai from a local expert. After cooking the dishes you will enjoy them and leftovers can be taken home.
- Half Day fishing experience Koh Tao. Enjoy this private half day fishing tour around the waters of Koh Tao. Learn how to catch fish and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
- PADI 4 day diving course Koh Tao. Get PADI certified during this 4 day scuba diving course. All lesson material, dives, equipment and the official certificate are included.
- Half day snorkeling trip to hidden bays of Koh Tao. Start your morning at 8AM with snorkeling in some of the hidden bays of Koh Tao. You will visit Freedom Bay, Shark Bay, Aow Leuk Bay and Tao Thong Bay during this half day snorkel tour.
- Private Photo Session with Local Photographer in Koh Tao. The perfect way to capture your solo trip, honeymoon, family vacation or couples photoshoot with 100% money back satisfaction guarantee on Koh Tao.
- One day diving experience Koh Tao. If you don’t have your PADI certificate but you want to go diving in Koh Tao, then this is the tour for you. During this one time scuba diving experience you will explore the underwater world of Koh Tao at 12 meters depth.
- Koh Nang Yuan snorkel day trip by speedboat. Explore the best snorkel spots around Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan during this half day snorkel trip. You can see many tropical fishes, turtles and maybe even black tip sharks!
How to get to Shark Bay Koh Tao
Shark Bay Koh Tao, also known as Ao Thian Og Bay in Thai, is located on the Southern tip of the island at the Haad Tien Beach Resort. It is a 15 minute drive from Sairee Beach, which is biggest tourist area of the island.
When you set your Google Maps on Shark Bay, you will arrive at the Haad Tien Beach Resort. You might get a bit confused there, but just like the beaches on Koh Phangan, you can walk though this resort to get to the beach. It is definitely ok for outsiders to walk through the resort, there are even signs pointing to the beach.
What to expect on Shark Bay Koh Tao
Shark Bay Koh Tao is rated as one of the best Koh Tao snorkeling spots on the island. It got its name from the blacktip reef sharks that frequently enter the bay, especially around the so called Shark Island. But Shark Bay Koh Tao is also a perfect place to relax, don’t worry! The beautiful shallow turquoise water and soft white powdery sand at Shark Bay are perfect ingredients. It is a private bay and not many other tourists visit it except the guests of the resorts lining up at the beach. So that makes it the perfect place for couples or families seeking for a quiet beach. There are a few restaurants along the beachfront, perfect when you want to grab a lunch or maybe dinner!
Things to do on Shark Bay Koh Tao
Snorkeling and sunbathing are the best things to do here! Snorkel gear is available for rent at the resorts or restaurants along the beach. You can also book snorkel tours or even diving tours to Shark island if you want to encounter with the black tip reef sharks. Another great thing to do at Shark Bay is to go kayaking in the bay and explore Shark Island. There is also a local boat going if you don’t feel like working out 
Around Shark Island you can explore the beautiful reef with a lot of colourful corals and schools of tropical fish. Sometimes you might even see turtles circling around. But if you’re very scared of encountering a shark, then don’t head out here haha Because the chance is pretty high that you will encounter a shark here.
Koh Tao weather
The climate on Koh Tao is hot and humid for most of the year. The rainiest months are October, November and December, so avoid these months. The best moment to come to the Koh Tao is from January to April but the island is also enjoyable during the months of March until August. At this time of the year Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao have the best weather of all Thai islands.
Where to stay on Koh Tao
Luxury
The Place Luxury Boutique Villas
The Place Luxury Boutique Villas offers amazing one-bedroom villas in Koh Tao with an incredible view on the ocean located on the west coast of the island. We stayed at The Place for 2 nights and had the best time! You have complete privacy with your own dining area at the spacious terrace. A fully-equipped kitchen with a wide-range of cooking equipment. The air-conditioned bedroom offers a direct access to the outdoor infinity pool with an amazing view on the mountain and sea wit sunset view. The bathroom is beautiful with details of plants and the living room includes a flat screen TV and a DVD player for entertainment. Breakfast is not included but you can order at local restaurants and get it delivered to your door! This villa has so much privacy, we havent experienced before!
Prices start around €245 per night
Mid Budget
Simple Life Cliff View Resort Koh Tao
Simple Life Cliff View Resort is located at the southern tip of Koh Tao’s Sairee Beach and offers luxury studios, 1 and 2 bedroom suites. The rooms with view on the swimming pool start around €65 per night wile the more luxury rooms with breathtaking view of Sairee Beach and the ocean start around €198 per night. This 3 star resort offers a private beach area, free Wifi and room service The cascading swimming pool runs through the centre of the resort and their restaurant serves fantastic Thai and international cuisine. A continental breakfast is daily available at the resort.
Prices start around €65 for the pool view rooms up to €198 per night for the sea view rooms.
Budget
The Ozo Koh Tao
At this resort you will enjoy a peaceful hillside location located in the south of the island. The cozy, comfortably furnished rooms offer a living space of 32 – 40 square meters and are equipped with all the necessities for a relaxing stay. The amenities available in the rooms include air conditioning, refrigerator, TV, safe, hot shower, tea and coffee making facilities, free WiFi Internet and a private balcony or terrace from where you can enjoy views of the pool and mountains. Some of the rooms also have a kitchenette with a microwave. The outdoor pool with sun loungers makes it perfect for a lazy afternoon. We stayed for a few days at the Ozo and it was a great budget deal!
Prices start around €33
Of course there are also even cheaper accommodations on Koh Tao, like hostels and guesthouses where you can stay for around €10 per night. Have a look at booking.com to find your perfect spot!
More Koh Tao travel inspiration
I hope you enjoyed this complete guide about Shark Bay Koh Tao.
For more Koh Tao travel inspiration, head over to these blog posts:
15 best things to do on Koh Tao
Freedom Beach – The Complete Guide
Tanote Bay – The Complete Guide
Sairee Bay – The Complete Guide
Koh Nang Yuan – The Complete Guide
For all best tips about Koh Phangan, head over to these blog posts:
Best things to do in Koh Phangan
The best beaches of Koh Phangan
Bottle Beach – The Complete Guide
Leela Beach – The Complete Guide
Secret Beach – The Complete Guide
Mae Haad Beach & Koh Ma island – The Complete Guide
Thong Sala Night Market – The Complete Guide
Is your plan to travel to Koh Samui? Then read this blog for all the best things to do in Koh Samui
Hello Ilse, wow, here you can spot blacktop reef sharks ! Very good info about Shark Bay Koh Tao. And then your photo’s and info about The Place Luxury Boutique Villas, perfect place to spent a honeymoon !