A Travel Guide to Khao Tao Beach, Hua Hin

Khao Tao beach is a long and quiet beach located 14 km south of Hua Hin Beach. The beach has a tranquil atmosphere and is a great place for swimming, relaxing, and taking a leisure stroll.

Khao Tao Village where the beach is located is also one of the great areas to stay in Hua Hin for local vibe and relaxing beach holiday. The village is home to a train station, a beautiful lake, and stunning temples.

In this travel guide about Khao Tao Beach, we will be looking at how to get to the beach, what to do, and where to stay on Khao Tao Beach.

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Where is Khao Tao Beach?

Khao Tao beach is a secluded beach, located in Khao Tao, approximately 14 km south of Hua Hin and about 14 km north of Pran Buri.

Khao Tao Beach is located just south of Suan Son Beach and Khao Takiab beach. These 3 beaches share the same coastline around 7km long. The beach is more busy at the north where Suan Son and Khao Takiab Beach are located and quieter with fewer people toward south where Khao Tao is located.

Khao Tao Beach has white sand and clean water, ideal for swimming, sunbathing, relaxing and strolling. It is lined with pine trees on the shore. You can enjoy stunning views of Wat Tham Khao Tao and the Big Buddha which is located at the southern end of the beach.

Don’t be confused between Khao Tao and Koh Tao. These are two different locations in Thailand. Khao Tao (Turtle Mountain) is an area 14km south of Hua Hin, and Koh Tao (Turtle Island) is an island located south of Thailand 350km south of Hua Hin.

How to get to Khao Tao Beach?

The best way to get from Hua Hin to Khao Tao is to rent a scooter, use a private taxi, or hire a private driver for a few hours. It is around a 15-20 minute drive from Hua Hin city center. Grab or Bolt taxis can cost around 150 baht one way.

I rented a scooter from my hostel in Hua Hin City for 250 baht per day. This is a cheap way to explore all attractions near Hua Hin. Just make sure that you are confident driving and have a valid license to rent a scooter.

When visiting Khao Tao, you can explore the beach, the temple, and the lake. You can combine a visit to Khao Tao with nearby attractions such as Pran Buri Forest Park and Suan Son Pradipat Beach.

What to do in & around Khao Tao Beach?

Swimming

The beach has clean water which is good for swimming. There are just a few cafes, bars, and resorts along the beach front. It’s best to bring your own mat to the beach if you want to lie on the sand.

You can find more beach facilities such as umbrellas and bedchairs on the far north of the coast line at Suan Son Pradipat or Khao Takiab Beach. It is possible to walk all the way to the north for a few kms, especially at low tide.

Walking along the beach

Khao Tao Beach is a great place to take a stroll along the beach. At low tide, you can walk far toward the sea. The beach has beautiful views of some islands in front of it and the Khao Tao temple on the hill at the south of the beach.

Kite Surfing

Kite Surfing is a popular activity on Khao Tao beach. You can rent equipment or take a surfing lesson at the Anchor Bar located right on the beach.

Horse Riding

Horse riding is a popular activity around Hua Hin, in Hua Hin Beach, Suan Son Beach, and Khao Tao Beach. I saw some horse riding services near the seawall where colorful fishermen boats dock.

Khao Tao Reservoir

This is a peaceful lake located inside the village of Khao Tao, behind the beach. The lake is huge and is more beautiful at sunset. You can walk around the lake promenade and take photos with the pavilion in the middle of the lake.

Khao Tao lake is a great place to jog and exercise, especially if you stay in the village. Otherwise, you can have a quick look on the way to see the Big Buddha.

Wat Khao Tao & Big Buddha

Wat Khao Tao is one of the highlights of Khao Tao. The temple is located on the hill at the southern end of Khao Tao Beach. You can climb to the top for stunning views of the sea and the fishermen village located next to the temple. It is free entrance.

There are several halls and buddha statues around the temple complex. Don’t forget to hike up to the top of the temple to see Big Buddha. From Khao Tao temple, you can walk down to Hat Sai Noi Beach.

Hat Sai Noi

This is a small beach, around 1 km long, located south of Wat Khao Tao. It is a good beach for swimming, chilling, and taking a leisure stroll along the shore. There are couples of bars/ restaurants on the beach. You can rent sunbeds for 100 baht per day.

You can get to the beach by scooter or taxi, or walk down from Khao Tao Temple through a small walking trail.

Where to stay in Khao Tao Beach?

There are several accommodations in Khao Tao, along the beachfront area and inside the village. If you are long term travelers to Hua Hin and want a quiet area to stay within a 15 minute drive from the city center, Khao Tao is a great choice.

Charras Bhawan Hotel and Residences

This is a beautiful beachfront hotel located in Khao Tao Beach. It is a short distance from the beautiful lake and the Khao Tao temple. It has an outdoor swimming pool and an onsite restaurant serving both Thai and international cuisine. You can enjoy its colonial-style villas and the peaceful atmosphere.

Kao Tao Villa Beach Resort

This is a beautiful resort located on the south of Khao Tao Beach, a short walk from Khao Tao Lake and temple. The resort houses a nice pool and an onsite restaurant. You can also easily walk to the restaurants and bars nearby,

T Villas Hua Hin

This accommodation is located near Hat Sai Noi, a small beach south of Khao Tao Temple. You can swim at the hotel’s outdoor pool or at the beach nearby. Good base for those who want a quiet weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of Hua Hin City Center.

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So, you have it, my short but informative guide about Khao Tao, a secluded beach located south of Hua Hin. It is a great place to chill and swim, away from the crowds and is only 15-20 minutes drive from the city center of Hua Hin.