Chaloke
Baankao Bay
The second most popular beach on Koh Tao, Chaloke Baankao is overrun
with the usual plethora of dive shops, guesthouses, restaurants, travel
agents and bars, all of which line the main road running just off
the back of the beach.
The beach
here is pretty and at low tide passable for sunbathing, but really
there are far better spots elsewhere on Koh Tao for laying around
in the sun -- just by hiking over the headland to Aow Thian Og will
deliver you to a lovely strip of sand all to yourself.
Due to
Chaloke Baankao being one of the largest dive centres on Koh Tao,
a lot of boat traffic heads in and out throughout the day. Be it
divers coming and going, snorkelling trips, round-the-island boat
trips, fishing trips or just longtails off on taxi runs from here,
Chaloke is not one of Koh Tao's quieter strips of sand. The large
number of boats also contributes to the water being a bit murky,
particularly towards the western end of the bay.
Head
to the eastern stretch of the beach if you plan to spend any time
in the water, but if time allows, you're far better served to wander
off to another nearby beach. Chaloke Baankao is flanked by beaches
and bays to both the east and west, so you need not head too far
to find something pretty. On its western lip, at the beginning of
the trail around to Mae Haad, you'll find the very pleasant Haad
Saal Chao. This spot remains a pleasant area to hang out, despite
the sometimes cloudy waters.
Along
the eastern rim, running along the peninsula which separates Chaloke
Baankao from Aow Thian Og, you'll find Aow Taa Toh which has a single,
dive orientated resort and further along the lovely and very isolated
Freedom
Beach. Both of these have clean beaches and clear waters.
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