BEACH
Tanote is a nice social bay on the east side of Ko Tao. This bay is a great spot to enjoy both the beach and the underwater activities. Tanote is surrounded by rugged rock formations and lush tropical vegetation, creating a stunning backdrop. The beach is known for its large granite boulders and cliffs, making it a popular spot for rock jumping. Adventurous visitors can leap from the rocks into the clear waters below.
When the wind comes from the right direction, the bay is good for snorkeling. However, this beach is not the best for small children, because of the relatively deep swimming water and the sand is somewhat coarse grained. If you want to relax on a beautiful wide social beach, which is not too crowded even in high season, we recommend visiting Tanote.
For non-experienced scooter riders, know that you have to make a steep turn to reach Tanote Bay. It can certainly be terrifying as you drive down the hill.
WHERE TO STAY
Right on the beach there are different mid-range places to stay, all good options. Montalay Resort has a small swimming pool and Mountain Reef Beach Resort is an good alternative.
We enjoy staying at the Diamond Beach Resort. This stay is located directly on the beach and offers nice bungalows with fan or air-conditioning. You get good quality for a fair price but note that the fan rooms are small. Poseidon Resort a good mid-range alternative has a well-known restaurant. Family Tanote Bay Resort is a reasonably priced budget option, they offer diving lessons and diving trips.
Not directly on the beach, we found Tanote Villa Hill, a stay with a lovely pool. Keep in mind that it does involve a climb to get from the beach to the rooms. All properties have restaurants. Located on the hill, Sun Moon Restaurant is just a 10-minute walk from the beach and offers cooking classes.
