The Ultimate Adventure: Exploring Koh Tao's Best Dive Sites

Fellow divers, if you're looking for a unique diving experience, Koh Tao is the perfect destination for you. With its warm waters, stunning coral reefs, and abundance of marine life, there's something for everyone. As an underwater world lover, I highly recommend exploring the dive sites around Koh Tao and plan one or two extra days for your visit on Koh Tao.

My Personal Favourite

My absolute favorite dive sites is White Rock, located on the east coast of Koh Tao. White Rock is suitable for all levels of divers, with depths ranging from 5-18 meters. The site boasts an impressive pinnacle that is covered in a variety of colorful soft and hard corals, providing a home for a diverse range of marine life. Schools of colorful fish and even reef sharks can be seen swimming around the pinnacle. With visibility ranging from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet) and mild currents, White Rock is an enjoyable dive that offers the chance to explore a variety of marine life.

Another great dive site for beginners or those looking to brush up on their diving skills is Twins, located off the west coast of Koh Nang Yuan. As the name suggests, Twins is made up of two large pinnacles, with depths ranging from 5-18 meters (15-60 feet). The site is teeming with colorful fish such as triggerfish, fusiliers, and butterflyfish. With visibility ranging from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet) and mild currents, Twins is an easy and enjoyable dive.

For those who are new to diving, I suggest starting with sites such as Mango Bay or Japanese Gardens, which offer a gentle and tranquil experience with an abundance of marine life to explore. These dive sites are perfect for those who want to get a taste of the underwater world without feeling overwhelmed.

Irrespective, of the dive sie, it's important to remember that we are guests in their habitat and to always treat the marine environment with respect.

Gear

If you have some diving experience, I truly recommend bringing your own mask, dry bag and dive computer. Here is the mask that I am using, a great diving dry bag and my best companion, Mr. Suunto 😊 (there are also cheaper options for beginners, e.g. Cressi Leonardo). Also check out the other items on my packing list.

Overall, Koh Tao is a paradise for diving enthusiasts and beginners alike. Whether you're exploring the depths of Southwest Pinnacle or taking in the tranquil surroundings of Japanese Gardens, there's no shortage of adventure and beauty to discover. So grab your gear, take a deep breath, and immerse yourself in the underwater world of Koh Tao.

Summary On All Dive Sites

Below I have provided a summary of all common dive sites and whats makes them unique:

Chumphon Pinnacle 

Located approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles) from Koh Tao, Chumphon Pinnacle is one of the most popular dive sites in the area. The pinnacle rises from the depths of up to 30 meters (100 feet) and is covered with an abundance of colorful soft and hard corals, providing a home for a variety of marine life, including giant groupers, barracudas, and even whale sharks. The visibility can range from 10-30 meters (30-100 feet), depending on the season, and the currents can be strong, making this dive site only suitable for advanced divers with proper certification and experience. What makes this dive site unique is its impressive rock formations and the chance to spot larger marine creatures.

Southwest Pinnacle 

Situated southwest of Koh Tao, this dive site is known for its abundance of colorful fish and is suitable for all levels of divers. The pinnacle rises from depths ranging from 5-30 meters (15-100 feet) and is surrounded by schools of colorful fish, eels, and even turtles. The visibility can range from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet), and the currents can be strong, so divers must be cautious. What makes this dive site unique is the abundance of marine life, making it a must-visit for any diving enthusiast.

Sail Rock 

Located approximately 9 kilometers (6 miles) northeast of Koh Phangan, Sail Rock is a towering pinnacle rising from the depths of 30 meters (100 feet). The chance to spot pelagic species such as whale sharks, barracudas, and trevally makes this dive site a must-visit for experienced divers. The visibility can range from 10-30 meters (30-100 feet), but due to its depth and strong currents, this dive site is only suitable for experienced divers with proper certification and experience. What makes this dive site unique is the impressive rock formations and the chance to spot pelagic species.

Shark Island

This small island located east of Koh Tao is a favorite among divers seeking to spot blacktip and whitetip reef sharks. With depths ranging from 5-20 meters (15-65 feet), the visibility can range from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet) depending on the season. This dive site is suitable for all levels of divers, but the currents can be strong, so caution is advised. What makes this dive site unique is the chance to spot sharks up close.

Green Rock

Located northwest of Koh Tao, this dive site is known for its abundance of colorful nudibranchs and sea turtles, as well as the strong currents and surge. The pinnacle rises from depths ranging from 5-18 meters (15-60 feet), providing a home for a variety of marine life, including groupers, barracudas, and even reef sharks. The visibility can range from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet), and the currents can be strong, so divers must be cautious. What makes this dive site unique is the abundance of colorful nudibranchs and sea turtles.

Hin Wong Pinnacle

Located on the east coast of Koh Tao, this dive site offers impressive rock formations and the chance to spot whale sharks. The pinnacle rises from depths ranging from 5-30 meters (15-100 feet) and is home to a variety of marine life, including giant groupers, moray eels, and schools of colorful fish. The visibility can range from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet), and the currents can be strong, so proper certification and experience are required. What makes it unique is the chance to spot whale sharks, along with the impressive rock formations, make this dive site a popular choice for divers seeking a memorable experience.

White Rock

Situated on the east coast of Koh Tao, White Rock is a great dive site for all levels of divers. With depths ranging from 5-18 meters (15-60 feet), the pinnacle is covered with an abundance of colorful soft and hard corals, providing a home for a variety of marine life, including schools of colorful fish and even reef sharks. The visibility can range from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet), and the currents can be mild, making this dive site suitable for all levels of divers. What makes this dive site unique is the diversity of marine life and the chance to spot sharks.

Twins

As the name suggests, Twins is made up of two large pinnacles located off the west coast of Koh Nang Yuan. With depths ranging from 5-18 meters (15-60 feet), the site is ideal for beginners or those who want to brush up on their diving skills. The site is teeming with colorful fish, including triggerfish, fusiliers, and butterflyfish. The visibility can range from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet), and the currents are generally mild, making it an easy and enjoyable dive. What makes this dive site unique is the abundance of marine life and the opportunity to explore two large pinnacles.

South West Rock 

Another popular dive site off the southwest coast of Koh Tao, South West Rock is a great site for all levels of divers. The pinnacle rises from depths ranging from 5-18 meters (15-60 feet) and is surrounded by schools of colorful fish, including triggerfish, fusiliers, and even barracudas. The visibility can range from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet), and the currents can be mild to strong, depending on the season. What makes this dive site unique is the abundance of marine life and the chance to explore a large pinnacle.

Samran Pinnacle

Located south of Koh Tao, Samran Pinnacle is a great dive site for experienced divers looking for a challenge. The pinnacle rises from depths of up to 30 meters (100 feet) and is surrounded by schools of colorful fish, including trevally and barracudas. The visibility can range from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet), and the currents can be strong, making this site only suitable for advanced divers. What makes this dive site unique is the impressive rock formations and the chance to spot larger pelagic species.

Red Rock

Located north of Koh Tao, Red Rock is another popular dive site known for its impressive rock formations and abundance of marine life. The pinnacle rises from depths ranging from 5-18 meters (15-60 feet) and is home to a variety of marine life, including schools of colorful fish, nudibranchs, and even reef sharks. The visibility can range from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet), and the currents can be mild to strong, depending on the season. What makes this dive site unique is the diversity of marine life and the impressive rock formations.

Japanese Garden 

Situated on the northwest coast of Koh Nang Yuan, Japanese Garden is a popular dive site for beginner and intermediate divers. With depths ranging from 5-18 meters (15-60 feet), the site is home to an abundance of colorful soft and hard corals, providing a home for a variety of marine life, including triggerfish, butterflyfish, and even moray eels. The visibility can range from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet), and the currents are generally mild, making it an easy and enjoyable dive. Japanese Garden is a unique dive site because of its abundance of colorful soft and hard corals, which provide a vibrant and colorful underwater garden that is unlike any other dive site and a must-visit dive site for anyone looking to explore the incredible underwater world of Koh Nang Yuan.

 

Here are some more beginner friendly sites:

Aow Leuk 

Awo Leuk is a sheltered bay on the eastern coast of Koh Tao, and it’s perfect for beginners or those who want to do a refresher dive. It's a great site for macro photography with plenty of smaller creatures such as nudibranchs, shrimp and crab to be found. The sandy bottom provides a perfect home for various species of rays and you might be lucky enough to encounter the curious and friendly hawksbill turtles.

Depth: 5-20 meters

Marine life: Hawksbill turtles, blue-spotted ribbontail rays, parrotfish, barracudas, and moray eels.

Accessibility: Shore dive, suitable for all levels of certification.

Current: Mild to moderate.

Chance of shark sightings: Low.

Mango Bay

Mango Bay, located on the northwest coast of Koh Tao, is a sheltered bay that offers great snorkelling and diving opportunities. The dive site is characterized by sloping coral reefs with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, and the bay is home to a wide variety of tropical fish species.

Depth: 5-18 meters

Marine life: Schools of fish, angelfish, butterflyfish, barracudas, and occasional blacktip reef sharks

Accessibility: Shore dive, suitable for all levels of certification.

Current: Mild.

Chance of shark sightings: Low.

 

Laem Thian

Laem Thiam is located on the eastern side of the island and is one of Koh Tao's lesser-known dive sites. The dive site features a beautiful coral garden with plenty of hard and soft corals to explore. One of the highlights of diving here is the chance to spot blacktip reef sharks and leopard sharks.

Depth: 5-18 meters

Marine life: Stingrays, turtles, angelfish, butterflyfish, and triggerfish.

Accessibility: Shore dive, suitable for all levels of certification.

Current: Mild to moderate.

Chance of shark sightings: Low.

 

Shark Bay 

Shark Bay is a popular dive site for shark sightings. Located on the northern tip of Koh Tao, this site is home to a large number of blacktip reef sharks. The bay has a sloping coral reef, and divers can explore the various coral pinnacles that rise from the sandy bottom.

Depth: 5-18 meters

Marine life: Blacktip reef sharks, triggerfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish.

Accessibility: Shore dive, suitable for all levels of certification.

Current: Mild to moderate.

Chance of shark sightings: High.

 

Lighthouse Bay 

Lighthouse Bay is one of the more popular dive sites on the southern tip of Koh Tao, thanks to its shallow reefs and clear waters. The site is characterised by sandy slopes with coral outcroppings, and it’s a great place to spot turtles, schools of fish, and a variety of smaller

Depth: 5-18 meters

Marine life: Schools of fish, turtles, triggerfish, and angelfish.

Accessibility: Shore dive, suitable for all levels of certification.

Current: Mild to moderate.

Chance of shark sightings: Low.

 

Summary

In conclusion, Koh Tao is a diver's paradise with a wide range of dive sites suitable for all levels of divers. From the diverse marine life and impressive rock formations of Chumphon Pinnacle and South West Rock to the chance to spot larger pelagic species at Samran Pinnacle, Koh Tao has something for everyone. Beginners can enjoy the abundance of colorful fish and easy diving at sites like Twins and Japanese Garden, while more experienced divers can explore the depths and currents of sites like Sail Rock and Shark Island. The visibility ranges from 10-25 meters (30-80 feet), and the currents can vary from mild to strong depending on the season. No matter which dive site you choose, Koh Tao is sure to provide an unforgettable diving experience.

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