Tanote Bay Rock Climbing

Tanote Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island and has a sweet jumping rock. The climbing consists of several individual crags which can be accessed for single-pitch cragging or can be linked from the bottom to the top as multipitch routes. The climbing is good quality and has a nice range of sport and trad options including slab and splitter cracks. As with most of Koh Tao, the rock is sharp sharp sharp, so tape gloves are mandatory for crack climbs and snorkeling immediately before climbing is not recommended. The crags are mostly located on the hill just south of Tanote Beach and they are dispersed vertically from the waters edge all the way to the top of a pinnacle. This area gets morning sun and will dip into the shade by late afternoon.

You will need the Koh Tao Rock Climbing guide on the Rakkup app to really grasp the locations of these crags and routes, especially if you plan to do one of the multipitch linkup options. Some of the routes can be accessed by walking but others can only be accessed by climbing other routes. The author, Kelsey Gray, included detailed photos of the approaches and route-finding.

The crags in order vertically: Poseidon (at the water), Jah Crag, Layer Cake, Tanote Pinnacle (top of the hill).

Also in Tanote Bay is Tao Tower near Tanote Goodview Resort and Phillips Secret Spot. Contact Koh Tao Climbing Club for info about these areas facebook.com/Climbingkohtao/