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Updated: 18 January, 2025
Guide to Shark Bay in Koh Tao, where and when to see the sea turtles and sharks, both entrances to the bay, including one free.
Shark Bay in Koh Tao is the favorite place for snorkelling lovers because it is where the adult blacktip reef sharks (1.20 m long) and the turtles that exceed one meter in length.
But don't worry, the blacktip sharks are harmless and although specific attacks of this species have been recorded in the United States, it has never happened on Koh Tao.
I was living in Koh Tao for 6 months, I spent hours swimming there and nothing ever happened to me, the sharks don't come close.
In this article I tell you details so you can find them (time and place), almost as if it were a date. 😉
Also, I explain to you the ways to get to the bay, through the paid area and free access.
Likewise, I tell you that the marine life of Shark Bay is one of the most varied on the island, where you can also find: corals, dragon fish, rays, titan triggerfish and porcupine fish that inflate like puffer fish.
If you don't have time to read the whole article, here you can reserve the best Koh Tao snorkeling tour, with stops at Shark Bay, Koh Nang Yuan, Mango bay, among other places. Plus, it's super cheap! 🤿
How to go to Shark Bay?
To get to Shark Bay you have several options:
- Motorcycling Routes: It is the most practical and cheapest way.
- Taxi: Negotiate with a taxi driver to take you.
- Walk: In the Shark Bay area there are several accommodations that will allow you to get there on foot.
- Long-boat: Hire a longtail boat from Sairee to take you to Shark Bay, it will be more cost-effective if you travel with more people or can join other travelers.
- Excursion: join one Koh Tao snorkeling tour, like the one in the link. This way you don't worry about everything, because it includes boat transportation, you take the opportunity to see other hidden bays of the island like Mango and the guide makes sure to look for the turtles and sharks for you to see.
- Beach tour: another option is this beach tour of Koh Tao in 4×4, which has the advantage that it is with guide in Spanish.
How to access the bay (water)?
If you choose to go by road, you have 2 ways to get to the bay area:
1.- From Haad Tien beach
Although the beach is public, you must pass through a resort of the same name as charge 200 baht, but in exchange they give you WiFi connection and access to their bathrooms.
Although you have to pay, the beach is well worth it, it is the typical postcard paradise beach, with fine white sand. For me it is the most beautiful on the island.
In addition, the resort staff ensures that the sand is clean.
😎 Therefore, you will find it in this other article about the 9 Best Beaches in Thailand.
2.- From the side (free access)
The alternative to not paying is through the free beach that is on the side of the bay.
If you go along the road that passes through Chalok you will find a small beach that is a little hidden, here you can see it in the google map
You have to pass through a wooded area and go down some stairs (photo below), it is less than 5 minutes walk and it is an easy path.
From this beach you will be closer to where sharks and turtles are most often seen.
The only downside is leaving your things on this beach, because there have been cases of theft.
Therefore, it is best that don't leave anything valuable when you go swimming or better yet, take one dry backpack like the one in the link to put everything in.
The backpack will also come in handy in case a boat approaches the bay while you swim, so they can see you easily.
When and where to see the sharks and turtles in Shark Bay?
If there is high tide, the sharks come quite close to the beach, I have even seen adult sharks swim in depths less than 2 m.
But, if the tide is low, you will have to swim a little, more or less to the central strip of the bay.
The sharks especially in the center and the turtles swim around looking for food (algae on the rocks).
If you go from the free beach along the side of the bay, you come out to an area of the bay where sharks and turtles are more easily seen.
If the tide is low, the area near the free beach will be very low and you will have to swim a little.
Best time to see them
Sharks like cold water and They are usually seen in the morningIf you go early you will have a better chance, although I have also seen them in the afternoon in areas where there were cold currents.
When you are swimming and notice some cold water stream stick around, you'll probably see some sharks, too Stingrays usually prefer cold water.
On the other hand, the best time to see turtles is "tea time" 😁, around 5 pm, although I recommend you go a little earlier, around 4 pm.
Other tips
The bay is quite large and you will have to swim to find the sharks and turtles, but I have never left without seeing them.
If there are more people, I recommend asking them if they have seen anything, It is normal to share information with other people who are snorkelling.
Also pay attention to boats with snorkeling tours, Although the tour guides do not happily share information, you will be able to see where they are taking the group. 😉
Where to stay near Shark Bay in Koh Tao?
If your goal is to enjoy snorkeling in Koh Tao, I recommend you stay in the southern area of the island, preferably next to Shark Bay, which is the best spot for snorkeling.
The Haad Tien beach resort Koh Tao is the one on the beach itself, a luxury resort with all the amenities, with free access to one of the best beaches in Thailand and with a Great value for the price.
Although it is a resort, the prices are comparable to a good hotel in Europe, but with a much higher quality.
If you are looking for cheaper accommodation, in the free beach area of Shark Bay there are some more basic bungalows, but with a lot of charm, this is the Taatoh Seaview Resort. Besides, They have direct access to the bay area.
Final Thoughts
If you are a lover of the sea and marine life, I recommend that you do not miss visit Shark Bay in Koh Tao on your trip to Thailand because you will fall in love with the experience of swimming there. 🐢
In case I have left something untouched, leave me a comment below and I will help you in any way I can. Good snorkeling! 🥰
More about Thailand and Southeast Asia
- Diving in Koh Tao: courses in Spanish and prices
- How to get to Koh Tao: all the alternatives
- 5 Best Excursions near Bangkok
- What to do in Koh Tao: 11 Epic Plans
- 7 Best Retreats in Thailand: Yoga and Meditation
- 7 Best Koh Tao Beaches for Snorkeling
Hello, I’m Andrea, the creator and writer of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I’m a nomad, so I consider myself a full-time traveler. I’m passionate about good food and always looking for new adventures.