Mango Bay, Koh Tao

Mango Bay is a large bay with a small beach and a coral reef on either side. Often the water is calm and clear, the sandy seafloor giving the water a beautiful turquoise hue. The easiest way to get here is by boat, though you can ride or take a long walk via concrete road and through the forest. The main road ends at one of the resort located on the cliff, and there you will have to walk down through their property to reach the sea (an entrance fee is charged). To reach the beach, you will have to swim from here.

Mango Bay is a popular destination for day trip visitors from Koh Tao and the neighbouring islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, so it is often busy during the day. Due to the good conditions and the flat, sandy seafloor, the bay is often used for beginner-level scuba diver training.

If you plan to travel around this area, there are some spectacular viewpoints on top of mountains and rocky outcrops where you can appreciate the great views with a cold drink. If you fancy an adventurous hike, you can try trekking to Grape Viewpoint or an isolated and pristine Lighthouse Bay. Both hiking trails are entirely tree-shaded, making their steep gradient enjoyable to tackle. Read more about hiking.

If you wish to snorkel here with a professional guide, Oxygen Tour offers the “Around Island” snorkeling tour, which visits five prime spots around Koh Tao: Shark Bay, Aow Leuk, Koh Nang Yuan, Mango Bay, and Hin Wong Bay, providing opportunities to see sea turtles and blacktip reef sharks. Click here for more information.