Hin Wong Bay, located on the eastern side of Koh Tao, directly opposite Sairee, is one of the island’s top spots for snorkeling. Its remote location means fewer crowds, making it an ideal escape for a peaceful day by the water.
With a couple of small restaurants, a pier, and calm, protected waters, it’s one of my favorite beaches on Koh Tao—especially if the wind is strong on the west coast!
In this guide, I’ll show you how to get to Hin Wong Bay, what to expect when you arrive, and my favorite snorkeling spots to explore.
Hin Wong Bay Overview
Hin Wong Bay is easy to reach by scooter, with a fully sealed road leading all the way to the bay from Sairee. However, the road is steep and winding, so it’s best that you're experienced on a bike before riding.
If you’re not confident on a scooter, don’t worry—depending on the conditions, the Koh Tao snorkeling trip usually includes Hin Wong Bay as a stop. Also, many dive boats leave from here when the wind makes it difficult to depart from Sairee, so if you’re doing a dive course or fun diving, you might find yourself catching a ride here to hop on your dive boat.
- Location: Eastern side of Koh Tao, bay directly on the other side of the island from Sairee.
- Access: Via the steep Sairee to Hin Wong Bay road, follow it all the way to the end where there’s motorbike parking.
- Entrance Fee: 50 THB for motorbike parking.
- Facilities: A small wooden pier that gives access to boats, a couple of small restaurants and reggae bars offering food, drinks, and toilets.
- Beach: The small sandy beach is privately owned—there’s no entrance fee, but they ask you to buy something if you’re using the beach, which I'm not a huge fan of but it is what it is.
How to Get to Hin Wong Bay
You can either take a snorkel boat or taxi for around 300 THB, or ride here yourself for a more adventurous trip. To start, take the main road from Sairee Beach (the same road as 995 Duck, one of my favorite spots to eat on Koh Tao) and follow it all the way to the end.
The road will turn left and start climbing the hill steeply, with a few switchback turns. Continue past the turn-off for Mango Bay on your left and the Fraggle Rock Viewpoint on your right.
Keep going, and as you descend toward Hin Wong Bay, the road becomes quite steep—so take it slow. But trust me, the views of the turquoise waters and palm-lined shores make this one of my favorite rides on the island.
Soon, you’ll reach a large clearing where you can park your motorbike. There’s usually a guy at a small desk where you’ll need to pay 50 THB to park. From here, walk down to the makeshift “pier” beside the restaurant.
Snorkeling at Hin Wong Bay
It's no secret that Hin Wong Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots on Koh Tao.
You can snorkel directly from the pier or head to the beach.
The beach is located on the north side of the bay (to the left), accessed through a small path that passes by a reggae bar. There are small beach chairs and cushions to sit on, and while it’s free, they do ask that you buy something if you’re using the beach facilities.
Snorkeling on the Southern End of Hin Wong Bay
The southern end is hands down the best spot for snorkeling at Hin Wong Bay. You can easily access the water from the pier—I’ve visited Hin Wong many times and usually just leave my belongings on the pier without any issues.
Once you’re in the water, swim out to the right and explore the massive boulders.
In the 5-8 meter depth range, you’ll find some awesome swim-throughs beneath the boulders. But be careful—they can be a bit tricky if you’re not experienced.
Around the rocks, you’ll also find healthy coral patches, and if you continue up the coast, you’ll hit even better spots. This area is also known as the Hin Wong Bay dive site, a shallow site with a max depth of about 18 meters but you can snorkel and still see all the best highlights of the site if you can dive down.
Snorkeling from Hin Wong Beach
You can access Hin Wong Beach by taking the small path past the reggae bar. Just be careful—there are two naughty dogs hanging around who might bite, but they usually leave you alone if you don’t bother them. You’ll see the beach from the pier, and while I think the snorkeling is better on the southern end of the bay, the northern end near the beach is still a good spot to explore.
This area features some big boulders, though I haven’t found any cool swim-throughs like on the southern side. That said, you’ll often see large schools of fish passing through, and it’s common to spot fish hunting in the shallows. Turtles and sharks are rare here but can sometimes make an appearance.
Tip: If it's windy on the Sairee side of Koh Tao, dive boats tend to flock to Hin Wong Bay for shelter, so it can get a bit busy. If you find it too crowded, head over to Aow Leuk Beach or Tanote Bay for a quieter snorkeling experience.
Marine Life at Hin Wong Bay
- Blue-Spotted Stingray: Often seen hiding near the sandy bottoms or under coral ledges.
- Parrotfish: Colorful fish that graze on coral, leaving behind sandy trails.
- Triggerfish: Watch out for these guys; they can get a bit territorial near their nests!
- Anemonefish (Clownfish): Often found around anemones nestled in the coral.
- Brain Coral: Large, round coral formations provide a home for various small marine species.
Can You Stay at Hin Wong Bay?
Yes, you can stay at Hin Wong Bay Apartments, which offers sea-view apartments. And, since it's a dive school you'd also have the option to get your open water certification.
While the location is convenient if you want to be right by the water, the reviews aren’t the best, and there are better options on Koh Tao for accommodation.
If you're wondering where to stay on Koh Tao Island and you want to be close to the main activities and beaches, pick a stay near Sairee Beach.
However, other great options include Mae Haad, or for a more secluded vibe, check out the southern beaches or even the east coast around Tanote Bay. Below are my top picks.
1. Jamahkiri Resort & Spa Luxury
A great bang-for-buck luxury dive resort at the beachfront of Shark Bay in a quiet and secluded location away from the hustle and bustle.
2. Phandara Pool Villas Mid-Range
A luxury villa option for those who want their own kitchen & pool. Located on the hill up to Wooden Rock Viewpoint.
3. Summer Guesthouse Budget
Located within walking distance of the dive shops and pub crawls on Sairee Beach, this is the top-budget hostel option with a great vibe.
I hope this guide to visiting Hin Wong Bay on Koh Tao has helped you plan an awesome snorkeling or beach day trip.
Check out my guide to the best things to do on Koh Tao for unique adventures and hidden gems you won’t want to miss!