Best Koh Tao Beaches For Motorbikes

[Capealava]

Going to Koh Tao soon. Most info warns of bad roads to many beaches. Anyone have any info on good off the track beaches for snorkeling that are relatively easy to get to on Motorbike-(Honda Wave) Thanks

[Tropicalevo]

I was there late last year.

The only roads that I found for a small bike are on the west coast with one or two beaches on the south coast. Even then most of the S beaches were over unmade dirt tracks - not proper roads and no flat ground. It can be done though, with care. Happy snorkeling.

Watch the bike bandits. They checked my bike for 40 minutes when I returned it looking for new scratches and a payout. Luckily I had photographed the bike when I picked it up.

To get to the N and W of the island you really need a trail bike. (IMHO)

[Eureka]

I was there late last year.

The only roads that I found for a small bike are on the west coast with one or two beaches on the south coast. Even then most of the S beaches were over unmade dirt tracks - not proper roads and no flat ground. It can be done though, with care. Happy snorkeling.

Watch the bike bandits. They checked my bike for 40 minutes when I returned it looking for new scratches and a payout. Luckily I had photographed the bike when I picked it up.

To get to the N and W of the island you really need a trail bike. (IMHO)

What island did you go to? Does concrete not count as a road?

[Tropicalevo]

I was there late last year.

The only roads that I found for a small bike are on the west coast with one or two beaches on the south coast. Even then most of the S beaches were over unmade dirt tracks - not proper roads and no flat ground. It can be done though, with care. Happy snorkeling.

Watch the bike bandits. They checked my bike for 40 minutes when I returned it looking for new scratches and a payout. Luckily I had photographed the bike when I picked it up.

To get to the N and W of the island you really need a trail bike. (IMHO)

What island did you go to? Does concrete not count as a road?

If they have concreted some more roads since I was there - fine.

Instead of criticising, why don't you answer the OP's question and tell him where there are good roads to good beaches?

I have told him that the ones on the W and SW are OK - where are the others?

[Eureka]

I was there late last year.

The only roads that I found for a small bike are on the west coast with one or two beaches on the south coast. Even then most of the S beaches were over unmade dirt tracks - not proper roads and no flat ground. It can be done though, with care. Happy snorkeling.

Watch the bike bandits. They checked my bike for 40 minutes when I returned it looking for new scratches and a payout. Luckily I had photographed the bike when I picked it up.

To get to the N and W of the island you really need a trail bike. (IMHO)

What island did you go to? Does concrete not count as a road?

If they have concreted some more roads since I was there - fine.

Instead of criticising, why don't you answer the OP's question and tell him where there are good roads to good beaches?

I have told him that the ones on the W and SW are OK - where are the others?

A simple look at Google Earth will show the roads on Koh Tao along with the terain.

Mae Haad is the main port and not a relaxing swimming zone unless you venture to the very southern end near Jansom Bay.

Koh Tao's main beach for all activities including sunset views, partying and people watching is Sairee Beach. Fun area but not for snorkeling. The southern end, near King Rama V rock, and the northern end have little boating trafic as they are further away from the dive shops stretched through the middle section.

The main southern beach, Chalok Baan Kow, ia accessed by a dead level concrete road with ample parking, restaurants, ATMs and 7-11.

All of these beaches are accessable via concrete roads by bike, car or truck.

The two most popular beaches on Koh Tao for snorkeling are Shark Bay and Aow Leuk and are both easily accessed. Note they are on the South Eastern coast.

Aow Leuk has reefs running along both sides with a sandy beach. Excellant snorkeling most days of the year.

Shark Bay has reefs running along the southern side and is well known for the Black Reef Sharks along the reef at the bay's entrance.

Freedom Beach is accessed by a concrete road with the exception of a 50 meter dirt area on a slightly angled section. The road after this section is only a problem for very inexperienced riders or new riders with a passenger. Any licenced rider will have no problems on a scooter with a passenger and snorkeling gear.

Tanote Bay is generally no problem for qualified riders on scooters but as the gradient is steep care must be taken after heavy rain as sand and dirt washes over the surface causing lose of traction. Great snorkeling but if in doubt take a taxi.

Sai Daeng is a quiet beach with a good concrete road for access although the gradient may discourage some.

When renting a bike look for one with off-road type tyres as many roads have sand washed over them during heavy rainfall. Use the front brake with caution as a suddenly locked wheel on sandy concrete will ensure a Koh Tao Tattoo.

Spend the extra cash and go to Koh Nanguyan for a daytrip. Easy boat ride great marinelife from the beach and great views from the lookout.

[Tropicalevo]

I was there late last year.

The only roads that I found for a small bike are on the west coast with one or two beaches on the south coast. Even then most of the S beaches were over unmade dirt tracks - not proper roads and no flat ground. It can be done though, with care. Happy snorkeling.

Watch the bike bandits. They checked my bike for 40 minutes when I returned it looking for new scratches and a payout. Luckily I had photographed the bike when I picked it up.

To get to the N and W of the island you really need a trail bike. (IMHO)

What island did you go to? Does concrete not count as a road?

If they have concreted some more roads since I was there - fine.

Instead of criticising, why don't you answer the OP's question and tell him where there are good roads to good beaches?

I have told him that the ones on the W and SW are OK - where are the others?

A simple look at Google Earth will show the roads on Koh Tao along with the terain.

Mae Haad is the main port and not a relaxing swimming zone unless you venture to the very southern end near Jansom Bay.

Koh Tao's main beach for all activities including sunset views, partying and people watching is Sairee Beach. Fun area but not for snorkeling. The southern end, near King Rama V rock, and the northern end have little boating trafic as they are further away from the dive shops stretched through the middle section.

The main southern beach, Chalok Baan Kow, ia accessed by a dead level concrete road with ample parking, restaurants, ATMs and 7-11.

All of these beaches are accessable via concrete roads by bike, car or truck.

The two most popular beaches on Koh Tao for snorkeling are Shark Bay and Aow Leuk and are both easily accessed. Note they are on the South Eastern coast.

Aow Leuk has reefs running along both sides with a sandy beach. Excellant snorkeling most days of the year.

Shark Bay has reefs running along the southern side and is well known for the Black Reef Sharks along the reef at the bay's entrance.

Freedom Beach is accessed by a concrete road with the exception of a 50 meter dirt area on a slightly angled section. The road after this section is only a problem for very inexperienced riders or new riders with a passenger. Any licenced rider will have no problems on a scooter with a passenger and snorkeling gear.

Tanote Bay is generally no problem for qualified riders on scooters but as the gradient is steep care must be taken after heavy rain as sand and dirt washes over the surface causing lose of traction. Great snorkeling but if in doubt take a taxi.

Sai Daeng is a quiet beach with a good concrete road for access although the gradient may discourage some.

When renting a bike look for one with off-road type tyres as many roads have sand washed over them during heavy rainfall. Use the front brake with caution as a suddenly locked wheel on sandy concrete will ensure a Koh Tao Tattoo.

Spend the extra cash and go to Koh Nanguyan for a daytrip. Easy boat ride great marinelife from the beach and great views from the lookout.

Thanks very much for that Eureka. Excellent info. I wish that I had known this before I visited. (I spent hours driving around looking for places and decent roads.) Next time I would hire a decent bike though.

The bit that I forgot to mention - I could not hire a decent bike because most of the hirers wanted a passport for security. Because I live on Samui - I had only taken my Thai driving license with me. Most would not accept this.

[Eureka]

Try Mon Big Bikes about halfway up the Main Pier road on the left just before the fuel station on the right.

You may need to leave a cash (or other) security as is the case with car rental.

[Tropicalevo]

Try Mon Big Bikes about halfway up the Main Pier road on the left just before the fuel station on the right.

You may need to leave a cash (or other) security as is the case with car rental.

Thanks again - will do