Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Salad Beach, also known as Haad Salad, is a sheltered bay on the northwest coast of Koh Phangan, the next bay north of Haad Yao. It's a long, soft sandy beach with shady trees and a row of small resorts and beach bars behind them. The headlands at both ends create calm waters, which is why it's so popular with families.

The reef begins about 100 meters offshore and is close enough to swim to with a snorkel. This makes the beach one of the island's best snorkeling spots. It's best visited at mid- to high tide. At low tide, the water near the shore is shallow and rich in reefs, and sea urchins abound on the rocks – so water shoes are recommended. The sun sets over the sea here, and the bars begin to fill up.

There are no public toilets or showers, so it's recommended to buy drinks at one of the beach bars. A songthaew ride from the pier in Thong Sala to this stretch of coast costs approximately 150 to 250 baht per person.