Mango Bay Remote Snorkelling Bay on Koh Tao

Mango Bay Koh Tao, known locally as Ao Muong, is a small bay on the island's northern tip. A narrow strip of white sand sits between two rocky reefs, and the water is clear enough to make it a regular stop for snorkel trips. It is remote, with no village and very few facilities.

That is part of the appeal. You come here for the reef rather than the beach scene. Most people arrive by longtail or on a snorkel tour, while a few brave the steep dirt road. Here is how to do either, and what to expect when you get there.

Getting to Mango Bay

By boat is the easiest way. A longtail from the Sairee end of the island takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes, and a bit longer from Mae Haad. Fares are negotiable and fall when you share, so agree the price before you leave. Half-day and full-day snorkel tours also stop here, usually together with Koh Nang Yuan, and give you at least half an hour in the water. Boats arrive straight at the beach, so you normally skip the land entrance fee.

By road is much harder. From Sairee, follow the road towards Hin Wong, turn at the top of the hill onto the road signed for Jim's Bar and the viewpoints, then keep going to the resort where the road ends. It is among the steepest and roughest roads on the island, with unsealed, bumpy sections. Only experienced riders should attempt it, and not in the rain. A 4x4 pickup taxi is the sensible alternative. You can also walk from Sairee in two to three hours, uphill first and then steeply down.

Snorkelling at Mango Bay

The east side of the bay is the main snorkel area, with a roped-off zone to keep boats out. Expect large boulders, swim-throughs, soft and hard corals, sponges and plenty of reef fish. The bottom drops quickly to about 15 to 20 metres, and the healthiest coral lies in roughly 3 to 10 metres of water. The shallows right at the beach have less coral. Turtles turn up regularly.

The west side is less protected but also has rock formations and schooling fish. If a north swell rolls in, captains sometimes move groups to somewhere more sheltered. Mango Bay is also a recognised dive site, see Mango Bay dive site for the underwater side. For other places to snorkel, read our snorkelling guide.

Stay inside the marked area, watch for boat traffic, and keep fins off the coral. Mango Bay can get busy when tour boats pull in around late morning, so earlier or later is calmer.

Fees and facilities

If you arrive by land, you pay at the small resort above the beach. The fee is per person and partly credited against food at the restaurant. It is a short walk down to the sand. The resort has a modest cafe, drinks and toilets, and may rent snorkel gear, but do not count on it.

There are no shops, so bring water, snacks, sunscreen and your own mask, snorkel and fins. Take rubbish back with you. The bay has no phone signal to rely on in every corner, so tell someone where you are going.

Best time to visit

Snorkelling works all year. The calmest and clearest conditions are usually from about February to September. In the wetter months, around late October to December, squalls can reduce visibility and make the northern boat ride rougher, and some tours switch to other bays. Check with your operator on the day. For month-by-month conditions see best time to visit Koh Tao.

Planning a longer outing? Mango Bay fits neatly into a day of island trips, and you can combine it with the Koh Nang Yuan sandbar. See also our viewpoints and hikes if you fancy the climb above the bay.

Mango Bay: frequently asked questions

Checked in November 2026. Opening hours and timetables change: confirm locally before you go.