Skip to main content
Visit Thailand Today

Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar

Beachfront cafe and bar on Sairee Beach serving food and drinks daily from morning until evening.

4.5(1,078)$$$$Mae Haad Pier · 12 min walk
Directions

Plan your visit

Hours
Daily 08:45–20:00
Price
$$$$
Mid-range
Getting there
Mae Haad Pier
12 min walk

Learn the Spice Scale

Say 'mai pet' for no spice, 'pet nit noi' for a little spice, or 'pet mak' if you want it Thai-hot. Most cooks will default to a toned-down version for foreigners unless you specify otherwise.

Details

Full opening hours
Monday08:45–20:00
Tuesday08:45–20:00
Wednesday08:45–20:00
Thursday08:45–20:00
Friday08:45–20:00
Saturday08:45–20:00
Sunday08:45–20:00

Is this your business?Feature it

Why go, and how to do it well

Sitting directly on Sairee Beach, one of Koh Tao's most popular stretches of sand, Cactus Cafe and Beach Bar offers a casual spot to eat and drink with an uninterrupted view of the Gulf of Thailand. The beachfront setting makes it a natural stop whether visitors are spending the day at the beach, taking a break between dive sessions, or simply looking for somewhere relaxed to watch the sunset over the water.

The cafe and bar format means guests can drop in for a morning coffee, a midday meal, or an afternoon drink without feeling out of place at any hour. The mid-range pricing keeps it accessible without sacrificing the comfort of a proper sit-down venue, and the consistent draw of both visitors and locals speaks to its reliability as a neighborhood staple on the island.

Cactus Cafe and Beach Bar opens at 08:45 every day of the week and closes at 20:00, making it well suited to daytime and early evening visits rather than late-night outings. Those hoping to catch the late afternoon light over the water would do well to arrive in the hour or two before closing. As the venue sits on a beach, light, casual clothing is entirely appropriate, and no reservations appear to be required for standard visits.

Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026

Stay within reach of Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar

Sponsored

Search Koh Tao hotels with your dates. Filter for free cancellation if you want to hold a room and decide later.

See hotels near Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar

Opens Booking.com with your dates

Also compare on Expedia · Trip.com

Around here, on foot

Well-rated places within a short walk of Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.

Experience hints

Visitor favorite
Mid-range

Sairee Beach, 3, 47 ตำบล เกาะเต่า Koh Tao, สุราษฎร์ธานี 84360, Thailand

Open in Google Maps

More restaurants & food nearby

All within a 8-minute walk of Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar.

Lazy Coconut Cafe & Restaurant
Hidden Gem

Lazy Coconut Cafe & Restaurant

170 m walk4.5(335)$$$$
Sairee beach, Tambon Ko Tao, Koh Tao, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84360, Thailand
A relaxed beachside cafe on Sairee Beach serving food all day from breakfast through evening.
Mama Piyawan's

Mama Piyawan's

180 m walk4.6(1,366)$$$$
9, 208, Tambon Ko Tao, Amphoe Ko Pha-ngan, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84280, Thailand
A beloved budget-friendly Thai eatery on Koh Tao, open daily from morning until late.
The Mango Garden - Koh Tao

The Mango Garden - Koh Tao

190 m walk4.9(2,298)$$$$
9, 311, Tambon Ko Tao, Amphoe Ko Pha-ngan, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84360, Thailand
Garden shade, all-day kitchen and fresh cooking that beats the beachfront scramble on Koh Tao.
Blue Shark Brunch, Koh Tao

Blue Shark Brunch, Koh Tao

640 m walk4.8(5,141)$$$$
9 25 หมู่1 เกาะเต่า Amphoe Ko Pha-ngan, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84360, Thailand
Brunch from 7am to 10pm on an island where half the kitchens keep their own hours.

Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food

Follow the Crowds

The busiest street stalls are almost always the best — high turnover means fresh ingredients and a recipe that locals vouch for. An empty restaurant at dinner time is a red flag.

Ice Is Safe

Factory-made tube or cylinder ice (used in virtually all restaurants and stalls) is made from purified water and is safe to consume. You don't need to skip the iced Thai tea.

Use Grab for Delivery

The Grab app works for food delivery across Thailand, letting you order from street stalls and restaurants alike. It's invaluable on rainy days or when you want to eat in your hotel.

Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar worth visiting?

Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar holds a 4.5★ rating from 1,078 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated restaurants & food in Koh Tao.

What are the opening hours of Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar?

Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar is typically open 08:45–20:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.

How expensive is Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar?

Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar is moderately priced (฿฿) relative to other restaurants & food in Koh Tao.

When is the best time to visit Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar?

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 Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar located?

Cactus Cafe & Beach Bar is at Sairee Beach, 3, 47 ตำบล เกาะเต่า Koh Tao, สุราษฎร์ธานี 84360, 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).

Also popular in Koh Tao

Chaiwat Grocery Store

Chaiwat Grocery Store

4.2(63)
26 6, Tambon Ko Tao, Amphoe Ko Pha-ngan, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84360, Thailand
A reliable everyday grocery store on Koh Tao, open seven days a week for all your island essentials.
Secret Bar

Secret Bar

4.6(964)$$$$
3RGC+4RX, Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand
A well-rated bar on Koh Tao open daily, offering a relaxed mid-range drinking spot for divers and travelers.
King Rama V Rock and Statue

King Rama V Rock and Statue

4.3(105)
3RRG+3MF, Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani 84360, Thailand
A hilltop cultural landmark on Koh Tao featuring a revered statue of King Rama V with panoramic island views.
Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint

Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint

4.6(2,388)
Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand
A short, steep scramble to Koh Tao's famous shot of three islands joined by a white sandbar.

Similar Restaurants & Food across Thailand

Blue Ocean Coffee & Restaurant

Blue Ocean Coffee & Restaurant

4.8(688)$$$$
117, 30, Tambon Ban Tai, Koh Phangan, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84280, Thailand
A well-loved mid-range café and restaurant in Koh Phangan, open daily from morning until early evening.
Grand Cafe Karaoke & Rooftop

Grand Cafe Karaoke & Rooftop

4.9(584)
G3M9+V3V, Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Rooftop cafe and karaoke bar in Bo Put serving great coffee, food, and evening entertainment daily.
The wealthy cafe Phimai
Hidden Gem

The wealthy cafe Phimai

4.7(75)$$$$
3 Soi Anantachai, Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Phimai, Chang Wat Nakhon Ratchasima 30110, Thailand
A relaxed mid-range café in Phimai town, open daily from late morning until late evening.
Brown Cabin Chocolate Cafe

Brown Cabin Chocolate Cafe

4.8(509)$$$$
84 หมู่ 4 เพ Tambon Phe, Amphoe Mueang Rayong, Chang Wat Rayong 21160, Thailand
A charming chocolate café on Koh Samet serving handcrafted treats in a cozy cabin-style setting.