Sai Nuan Beach Koh Tao: Complete Guide to This Hidden Paradise (2025)
- Kate Colliety
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Sai Nuan Beach Koh Tao is a small bay away from the hectic tourist hub of Sairee Beach. Accessible via a short scooter ride or picturesque coastal walk, Sai Nuan Beach is a hidden gem perfect for those looking to escape the crowds and soak in Koh Tao’s natural beauty.
With a couple of eclectic restaurants, abandoned structures and rocky shores this understated beach makes the perfect place to explore for a morning or afternoon. During Thailand’s rainy season the beach has a wild, rugged feel with strong waves and storm battered structures which contrasts the sunny days where you can swim in the serene water and enjoy a Pad Thai on the beach.
Whatever season you’re visiting Koh Tao, Sai Nuan Beach is a great place to add to your list. In this blog we share how to get there, what to expect and everything else you need to know before visiting.
Contents
Where Is Sai Nuan Beach Koh Tao Located?
Sai Nuan is on the west of Koh Tao, a 15-minute drive from Sairee Beach.
How To Get To Sai Nuan?
There are three ways to get to Sai Nuan Beach: a scooter (15 mins), a taxi or coastal walk (1.5 hours).
We found the best way to get around Koh Tao was via a hired scooter, the island is small plus you can rent a scooter for around 300 THB a day! The roads to Sai Nuan are paved but they are windy and steep.
You need to head south from Sairee Beach then turn off the main road at ‘so much colour nail salon’ and follow the path over the mountain all the way till the end. Here you will find scooter parking for free and signs pointing you to the beach. The walk from the parking lot is less than a couple of minutes and there’s no beach fee!
What To Expect At Sai Nuan Beach
Sai Nuan Beach is worlds away from other busy spots on Koh Tao, in fact when we visited we were the only people there!
We heard rumours of sunset drinks and the occasional beach party, although we found the beauty in the rugged landscape that greeted us on a particular stormy day.
During the high season, Sai Nuan Beach transforms into the perfect spot for swimming, hiking, and snorkelling. Often the snorkelling boats from Sairee Beach stop here plus you can walk to the neighbouring beaches of Sai Thong and Jansom Bay.
As you enter the beach there is a small local restaurant selling drinks and food, perfect for a cheap lunch with a view. Although we didn’t eat here, the lady greeted us with smiles and warmth, plus she probably makes a mean Pad Thai (let us know if you try it).
Snorkelling At Sai Nuan Beach
During the high season, Sai Nuan is a great place to swim, with sandy sections making it easy to get in the sea. For the best experience, we recommend visiting at high tide when the water is deeper, which is more convenient for both swimming and snorkelling.
As Sai Nuan has plenty of rocky outcrops the underwater world is teeming with fish and if you're lucky, you might even spot a turtle or a blacktip reef shark! The coral near the shore is quite bleached and dead, if you swim out further you’ll uncover more intact reefs.
Hiking At Sai Nuan Beach
As mentioned earlier, you can actually walk to Sai Nuan beach from Sairee Beach, it takes about an hour and a half along coastal paths.
If you don’t want to hike for so long you can still enjoy a shorter walk from Sai Nuan to Sai Thong or Jansom Bay. Sai Thong is only a short stroll away and is free to access, making it a great place to explore. The path to Jansom Bay is 600m and takes around 15 minutes. Once you arrive, you’ll find a hidden paradise with turquoise waters and swaying palm trees. There is a 100 THB entrance fee, but it’s well worth it for the stunning scenery.
Where to Eat & Drink at Sai Nuan Beach Koh Tao
Down on the beachfront you can find two places to eat a drink, a local restaurant we passed through on our way to the beach and Banana Rock Cafe. Banana Rock has a laid back atmosphere and serves cheap cocktails and food. The local dishes served at Sai Nuan's beachfront restaurants have great reviews making this the perfect lunch spot.
Best Time To Visit Sai Nuan
The best time to visit Sai Nuan Beach Koh Tao is between March and May when waters are calmest, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. However, don’t let this put you off visiting at other times, we went during a storm and enjoyed seeing Thailand’s wild side and crashing waves.
Sai Nuan faces west meaning it’s a great place to watch the sunset while enjoying your drinks.
Best Places To Stay Near Sai Nuan Koh Tao
We recommend staying in the hub of Sairee Beach which is only a 15-minute drive to Sai Nuan Beach.
This is where we stayed and we loved it! We only had a fan room but there were two large swimming pools, direct access to the beach plus an onsite beachfront restaurant. This is our number one choice of Sairee Beach hotels.
Savage hostel offers shared or private accommodation options plus guests can enjoy a rooftop pool & yoga, movie nights and organised tours. We love the look of this hostel which is the heart of Sairee Village.
If you’re looking for a little bit of luxury this resort is nestled at the north end of Sairee Beach. You can take it a step further and even get a private pool! This is one Sairee Beach hotel we’d love to try.
We use Booking.com, Agoda and HostelWorld for all of our stays around the world!
Best Koh Tao Tours
Why Sai Nuan Beach Should Be on Your Koh Tao Itinerary
Sai Nuan Beach offers visitors a peaceful alternative to Koh Tao's busier shores. If you want a spot to snorkel, swim and discover Koh Tao’s hidden beaches Sai Nuan beach is the perfect place to start.
After, head to Ao Hin Wong Bay, one of our favourite beaches on Koh Tao!
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Thailand adventure. You can reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels, we always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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