Laem Thien Bay
Laem Thien Bay is home to a very unique beach. It is certainly one of the best beaches on Koh Tao according to most locals, and can only be reached by boat or by foot. What makes Laem Thien Bay so special is the deserted resort located there. Up until 2011, this was a fully functioning resort with a hotel building and many bungalows scattered around the hillside. These days the road that once accommodated cars and motorbikes is long since overgrown. In most places, any remaining concrete has given way to dirt track and vines.
On the rocky outcroppings around the headland, it’s possible to jump from a few large boulders directly into the ocean. The rock jumps range from 3 metres high up to 12 metres for those who are feeling brave!
Access
Unless you charter a water-taxi, the only way to reach Laem Thien Bay is by foot. Setting off from Sairee, you need to take the Hin Wong Bay road out of the village and take a right at Tarna Align resort. The hiking route takes about an hour from Sairee Beach and cuts directly across the island from the west to the east coast. You’ll follow a concrete road up a steep hill before connecting to a jungle trail that takes you over the brow of the hill then gently downhill to the coastline on the other side of the island. There are several points where you can turn off the track, as various other paths will lead you to West Coast Viewpoint, Tanote Peak, Mao Bay, and the Secret Steps. But to get to Laem Thien Bay, just keep following the track straight ahead without making any turns.
Fees
There are no fees to access the hiking trail or use the beach at Laem Thien Bay.
Services & Facilities
Be sure to take plenty of water and any snacks you want with you. There are no shops or services along the way, nor are there any resort services on-site where you can buy refreshments and food.
Swimming and Snorkeling
The small bay at Laem Thien is very pretty, and the coral reefs in the shallow waters are home to some of Koh Tao’s rarer marine life, making it one of the best beaches on Koh Tao for snorkeling.
Recommended for… A Unique Experience
It’s not often you get a whole deserted resort to yourself. As well as chilling out on the beach and enjoying the snorkel opportunities on the unspoiled shallow reefs, you can walk up the stairs and onto the roof of the old hotel building for a great view out past Tanote Bay and Aow Leuk Bay towards Shark Island. And if you are feeling adventurous you can clamber over the rocks and try the cliff jumps.
