Ao Laem Thian
A hike-in cove on Koh Tao's east coast with an abandoned resort, quiet water and good snorkeling.
Tours that include Ao Laem Thian
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Ao Laem Thian.
Why go, and how to do it well
Laem Thian is a small cove on Koh Tao's east coast that you have to earn. There's no road down, so you hike in through shaded jungle from the hill above Sairee or paddle around by kayak. At the bottom there's a little beach, the shell of an abandoned resort and some of the quietest snorkeling on the island.
It's not a lounging beach. People go for the walk, the empty water and the sense of having found something. A man selling fresh coconuts partway along the trail comes up in more than one account.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Stay within reach of Ao Laem Thian
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Best rated within a 14-minute walk
Tours that include Ao Laem Thian
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Ao Laem Thian.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Ao Laem Thian, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Ao Laem Thian, round out your day in Koh Tao with contrasting stops nearby.
3VQ3+HHF, Koh Pha-Ngan, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore beaches nearby
All within 2.5 km away of Ao Laem Thian.
Mao Bay Beach
A secluded bay on Koh Tao offering calm waters and a peaceful escape from the island's busier beaches.
Tanote Bay
A secluded bay on Koh Tao's east coast, popular with snorkelers and divers for its clear waters.
Ao Hin Wong
A secluded bay on Koh Tao's east coast, popular for snorkeling and its quiet, away-from-it-all atmosphere.
Ao Leuk
Come for the snorkeling straight off the sand, not for the beach itself, which is small.
Tips for Visiting Beaches
Go Early for Empty Sand
Even the busiest beaches are nearly deserted before 9 AM. Sunrise walks on Kata, Chaweng, or Railay are magical — and you'll beat the heat for a morning swim.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Many Thai marine parks ban chemical sunscreens that damage coral. Bring reef-safe (mineral/zinc-based) sunscreen from home — it's harder to find and pricier in Thailand.
Explore Beyond the Main Strip
Every popular beach area has quieter alternatives nearby. Rent a scooter and ride 10 minutes from Patong to find Freedom Beach, or head to Phuket's northeast coast for nearly empty shores.
Ao Laem Thian: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ao Laem Thian worth visiting?
Ao Laem Thian holds a 4.5★ rating from 74 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated beaches in Koh Tao.
When is the best time to visit Ao Laem Thian?
The best months to visit Koh Tao are March – September (calmest water, best visibility), with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & July – August — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: November (monsoon swell peaks).
Where is Ao Laem Thian located?
Ao Laem Thian is at 3VQ3+HHF, Koh Pha-Ngan, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand, in Koh Tao. Getting around Koh Tao: Walking around Sairee and Mae Haad; Motorbike rental (฿200–300/day; some concrete roads are extremely steep).
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Nang Yuan Island
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Similar Beaches across Thailand
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Lamai Beach
Chaweng's calmer sibling: long, clean sand, easy swimming, and coconut shacks instead of five-star polish.
Siamchai Whitesand Beach
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Bang Bao Beach (Koh Kood)
Bang Bao Beach is Koh Kood's postcard bay — a sheltered, palm-fringed crescent on the island's west coast where shallow, bathtub-calm water grades from clear to aquamarine over clean sand. A long wooden pier stretches across the bay, resorts sit low-key behind the palm line, and even in high season
