Shark Bay in Koh Tao: Snorkeling with Sharks and Turtles

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Updated: May 7, 2025

Looking for the best place to snorkel in Koh Tao? Spoiler alert: it’s called Shark Bay, and it’s hands down the easiest place to spot blacktip reef sharks and giant sea turtles. And no, I’m not exaggerating. I lived on the island for six months and spent hours swimming there—no shark ever tried to make me dinner.

Guide on how to spot sharks and turtles in Shark Bay, the best time to go, access options (including a free one), and top tips for an amazing experience.

If you don’t have time to read the whole post, I recommend this Koh Tao snorkeling tour. It includes stops at Shark Bay, Koh Nang Yuan, Mango Bay, and more. And yep, it’s super affordable! 🤿

Snorkeling in Shark Bay

Shark Bay is easily the best snorkeling spot in Koh Tao. Why? Because it’s the place where you’re most likely to see adult blacktip reef sharks—some over 1.2 meters long—and sea turtles over a meter in size.

But don’t worry—blacktip reef sharks are totally harmless. While there have been a few isolated cases in other countries, there’s never been a single shark attack reported in Koh Tao. Trust me, I’ve spent hours swimming there and I’m still in one piece.

On top of that, Shark Bay is full of marine life: colorful coral, dragonfish, stingrays, titan triggerfish (watch out—they can get a little territorial), and those adorable porcupinefish that puff up like balloons when they’re scared.

✅ Friendly Tip: Don’t forget to get travel insurance for your next adventure. I recommend Heymondo,—it’s super comprehensive, and with that link, you’ll get 5% off!

How to get to Shark Bay

There are several ways to reach the bay:

• Motorbike: the cheapest and most flexible option, but be careful—Koh Tao’s roads are steep and not great if you’re not used to riding.
• Taxi: agree on a price with a local driver before you go.
• On foot: if you're staying nearby, you might be able to walk there, especially from the southern part of the island.
• Longtail boat: hire one from Sairee. It’s cheaper if you’re with a group or can join other travelers.
• Snorkeling tour: join this Koh Tao snorkeling tour—it includes transport, several snorkeling spots (like Koh Nang Yuan and Mango Bay), and a guide who’ll help you spot turtles and sharks.
• 4x4 Beach Tour: a different kind of adventure if you’d rather explore by land. You can book it on this website.

Access to Shark Bay

If you decide to go by land, there are two main ways to access the bay:

1. From Haad Tien Beach (paid access)

Although the beach is public, the access goes through Haad Tien Beach Resort, and they charge a 200 baht entrance fee (updated for 2025). In return, you get access to their facilities (restrooms, WiFi, loungers) and a drink.

This is the best beach for snorkeling in Koh Tao. It’s picture-perfect—white sand, turquoise water, and a dreamy backdrop. Personally, I think it’s the most beautiful beach on the island, and the resort does a great job keeping it clean, which is always a plus.

If you try to reach the beach through another route that doesn’t go through the resort, they’ll still ask you to pay. So if you don’t want to spend your baht or get into an argument, it’s better to take the free side entrance and skip the hassle.

🏖️ Related article: 9 best beaches in Thailand, where I have included this one.

2. From the side access (free)

If you’d rather not pay, there’s a hidden free path on the side of the bay, just off the road from Chalok. After a short walk through the trees and down a few steps (less than 5 minutes), you’ll reach a small, more wilder beach.

The access from the road looks like the photo below, and you can check on this link (from Google Maps) its exact location.

✔️ Two big pros of this option:

• You’ll be closer to the area where turtles and sharks are usually seen.
• It’s free (yay!).

❌ And a downside:

Don’t leave anything valuable on the beach. There have been a few thefts, so it’s best to bring a dry bag (or waterproof bag) and take your stuff with you into the water. If a boat comes close while you’re swimming, the bag also helps keep you visible.

👍 My two cents: If you’re looking to stay connected during your trip, 🤳 I recommend this eSIM for Thailand or this one for Asia both with unlimited data and work perfectly. Just use that link for a 5% discount.

Where to See Sharks and Turtles

🦈 Where are the sharks?

• When the tide is high, sharks come close to shore. I’ve seen them swimming in just 2 meters of water.
• When the tide is low, you’ll need to swim out toward the center of the bay. That’s where they’re usually more active.
• They move all around the area looking for food, especially near the rocks where algae grow.

If you enter from the small side beach, you’ll be right in one of the best spots to see them.

🐢 And the turtles?

You can spot turtles near the center too, peacefully swimming around while munching on algae. Sometimes they even swim right up to people—totally unbothered.

Best Time to Go

• Sharks: they prefer cooler water, so early morning is your best chance. You might also see them in the afternoon in spots with colder currents.

✨ My two cents: if you feel a cold current while swimming, stay there. That’s usually a good place to find them!

• Turtles: they are more like the British—they show up around tea time. I usually see them around 5 p.m., sometimes even earlier.

Useful Tips

The bay is pretty big, and you’ll need to swim around a bit to find the sharks and turtles—but I’ve never left without spotting them. Here are a few tips:

• Don’t be shy—ask other people if they’ve seen anything. It’s totally normal to share info.
• Keep an eye on the snorkel tour boats. Even if the guides don’t say much, you’ll see where they’re taking people. 😉
• Bring your own snorkel mask. You can buy one on the island, but they’re pricey for their poor quality. If you join a tour, they’ll lend you one.
• Wearing a rash guard is a good idea so you don’t burn your back while swimming.

Where to Stay near Shark Bay

If you’re planning to snorkel in Koh Tao every day, it’s best to stay in the south of the island, near Shark Bay. Here are two great options:

Located right on the beach, Haad Tien Beach Resort Koh Tao luxury resort at a fair price. It has everything: direct access to Shark Bay, breakfast, all the comforts… and that postcard-perfect vibe you dream of in Thailand.

If you’re on a tighter budget, there are some simple but charming bungalows with amazing views near the free access to Shark Bay—Taatoh. They also have direct access to the bay.

🤑 If you want to save on your next adventure, use this link from Booking to get 15% off your stay.

Final Thoughts

If you love the ocean and marine life, don’t miss snorkeling in Shark Bay during your trip to Koh Tao. Swimming alongside sharks and turtles is an unforgettable experience—and the best part is, you don’t need to spend much or have any experience to enjoy it.

Just bring a mask and get ready to swim! 🐢🦈

In this guide to Southern Thailand, you can keep reading all my articles about the islands in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea—two areas I know well because I lived there for over two years.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘

More about Koh Tao and the Gulf of Thailand