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Ao Thian Ok leaves most of the other beaches on Ko Tao back at the starting post in terms of sheer beauty. The perfect arc of white, fluffy sand and azure waters will leave you breathless. Almost always quiet and serene, this is the perfect place to chill out for an afternoon.

The beach has shade from shrubs rather than trees and is empty much of the time despite its proximity to Chalok Ban Kao. While people stay away, sharks flock here, however: it's a popular bay with divers.

One of the newest and flashest resorts on Ko Tao, Jamahkiri, has a monkey enclosure, ensuring the peculiar calls of primates now ring out regularly across the bay.

Ao Thian Ok is separated from Chalok Ban Kao by a peninsula, and on the eastern flank of this peninsula, facing Ao Thian Ok, you'll find Ao Taa Chaa which has good snorkelling and a couple of very well-appointed resorts perched on its edge.

If you walk out to the end of the peninsula you'll reach the John Suwan Viewpoint, a spectacular vantage point overlooking Ao Chalok Ban Kao to the left and Ao Thian Ok to the right. Unfortunately the trail hasn't been well looked after, so it's quite a bush-bash to get there nowadays.

Further to the east you'll find the very pretty Haad Sai Daeng where, just offshore, sits Shark Island -- one of Ko Tao's most popular dive spots. The bay itself has some fine snorkelling when the water is calm and there is also more than enough sand to just lay around or plan out world domination or another frisbee-golf course.

While it's a shame that Coral View Resort decided to build a two-storey building right on the beach, the beach nevertheless remains scenic and relatively low key. It's a good choice for those looking for some peace and quiet but who don't want the absolute isolation you'll get on the east coast beaches.

Chalok Ban Kao is close enough to be an option for an evening out but if you don't want to wander that far, there are a couple of places to eat at on Sai Daeng itself.

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Jamahkiri Resort & Spa ($$$$),

Name

Rate

Online rate

Ao Muong Resort + Diving
Koh Tao, Mango Bay
3,000B Check room availability
Black Tip Dive Resort
Koh Tao, Ao Tanote
400B Check room availability
Blue Diamond Dive Resort
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
800B Check room availability
Charm Churee Villa
Koh Tao, Jansom Bay
2,700B -- Promotion Check room availability
Coral View Resort
Koh Tao, Sai Daeng
400B Check room availability
Jamahkiri Spa + Resort
Koh Tao, Thian Og
5,900B -- Promotion Check room availability
Khun Ying House
Koh Tao, Sairee Village
450B Check room availability
Koh Tao Coral Grand Resort
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
3,450B Check room availability
Koh Tao Resort
Koh Tao, Chalok Baan Kao
1,850B -- Promotion Check room availability
Koh Tao Royal Resort
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
1,200B Check room availability
Laem Thian Resort
Koh Tao, Laem Thian
300B Check room availability
Lotus Resort
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
600B Check room availability
Mango Bay Grand Resort
Koh Tao, Mango Bay
1,500B -- Promotion Check room availability
Nang Yuan Island Dive Resort
Nang Yuan Island
1,500B -- Promotion Check room availability
New Heaven Bungalow
Koh Tao, Ao Tien Oh
1,200B Check room availability
Sai Thong Resort
Koh Tao, Sai Nuan
300B Check room availability
Save Bungalows
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
500B Check room availability
Sea Lodge
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
1,300B Check room availability
Sensi Paradise Beach Resort
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
2,800B -- Promotion Check room availability
Thipwimarn Resort
Koh Tao, Taa Sak
1,850B Check room availability
Utopia Suites
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
600B -- Promotion Check room availability

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