Contrary to what you might expect, Mae Haad Bay, located in Koh Tao's main port town, ranks among the island's finest beaches. The sands away from the pier are just as soft and golden as those found elsewhere, and the water is beautifully clear. Even with some boat traffic, the atmosphere remains surprisingly calm.

Getting to Mae Haad Bay is simple, with access points on either side of the pier and plenty of parking for scooters. You can travel to Mae Haad via the main road from Sairee or Chalok Baan Kao. If you're coming from Sairee, consider following a scenic small paved road humorously referred to as “the yellow brick road” by locals. Although it has a whimsical name, it isn’t actually yellow; this route takes you along Sairee Beach, up a gentle incline, past a local school and temple, and then down into Mae Haad.