FIND THE BEST DIVING SITES IN KOH TAO
- TOP PLACES TO DIVE -
If you are already certified diver, you will be looking for do some fun dives and enjoy the underwater life in this paradise island. Here we want to show you the best diving sites around Koh Tao, so you have an idea about where to go while you are on the island. Most of the dive shops around Koh Tao, announce their departure one day before, so you can be aware of where they are going and book with them.
10 Best Diving Spots in Koh Tao
1. SAIL ROCK
Location: Between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan
Depth: Average 18 m / Maximum 40 m
Level: Beginner
This is the top spot for diving in Koh Tao. It’s actually closer to Koh Phangan, but usually, it’s cheaper going there from the Turtle Island. It will take around 1.30-1.45 minutes trip on the boat, but most of the shops arrange breakfast and lunch included in the price. You’ll have to go very early, around 6 am to enjoy this beauty. This pinnacle is full of life and it goes as deep as 40 meters, but can also be seen from the boat. Whale sharks can also be spotted if you are lucky.
WHAT TO SEE:
Barracuda, trevally, fusiliers, whale shark.
2. CHUMPHON
Location: About 5 km northwest of Nang Yuan
Depth: Average 20 m / Maximum 36 m
Level: Experienced Divers
Chumphon is the favorite place for deep divers as you can go up to 40 meters down. Therefore, it’s great to get your Advanced Certificate or even your Deep Specialty. It’s also quite far from the island, around 1 hour trip on the boat, but totally worthy. This is the other dive site where you could find whale sharks.
WHAT TO SEE:
Batfish, angelfish, barracuda, jacks, snappers and whale shark (if you are lucky)
3. SOUTHWEST
Location: About 7 km Southwest of Koh Tao
Depth: Average 17 m / Maximum 28 m
Level: Beginner Divers
Lovely place where you can find huge amount of fishes. Snappers, trevally and barracudas are found in great amount, but you can also enjoy a great variety of corals.
WHAT TO SEE:
Snappers, trevallies, barracudas, bannerfish, and pipefish
4. SHARK ISLAND
Location: 1 km off the southern tip of Koh Tao
Depth: Average 15 m / Maximum 28 m
Level: Beginner Divers
Shark Island is one of our favorite dive sites. It is located around 300m off Koh Tao's South coast and It is probably the most varied spot for scuba diving and also snorkeling. Soft corals, sponges, gorgonians, nudibranchs, blue-spotted stingrays, and morays inhabit these waters. Whale Sharks are sometimes spotted here.
The maximum depth is up to 28 meters deep at the sand bottom and 5m near to the island.
Sorry, no sharks here! The side gets this name for its likeness to a shark's dorsal fin when viewed from some angles, particularly Ao Leuk Bay.
WHAT TO SEE:
Butterflyfish, yellowtail barracuda, turtles, and sea snakes
5. WHITE ROCK
Location: Western side of Koh Tao
Depth: Average 16 m / Maximum 28 m
Level: Beginner Divers
One of our favourite spots for diving in Koh Tao. The place is perfect for day and night dives and the waters are quite shallow. However, if the visibility is good enough, the marine landscape is just gorgeous. Triggerfish or groupers are easily found in vast numbers. Do not forget your Go Pro!
WHAT TO SEE:
Butterflyfish, angelfish, green turtles, triggerfish, and filefish.
6. TwinS Peaks &
Buoyancy World
Location: Western Side of Koh Nang Yuan
Depth: Average 10 m / Maximum 18 m
Level: Beginner Divers
This place is probably less popular than the ones before, but still worthy to visit. At Buoyancy World you will find some structures made by the man and now home to some fishes and corals. Good place to improve your diving skills.
WHAT TO SEE:
Butterflyfish, bannerfish, rabbitfish, and groupers
7. Sattakut Wreck
Location: 30 m from Hin Pee Wee
Depth: Average 18 m / Maximum 30 m
Level: Experienced Divers
No doubt that this is one of the best dive sites on the island. The HTMS Sattakut wreck was a former US World War II Navy sunk on June 18th, 2011 to create an artificial reef. The ship participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima, a crucial battle brought to the cinema by Clint Eastwood. The wreck base sits around 30 meters deep, so you need to be at least Advanced Certificate to get to it. This 48m wreck is now home of many fish, with triggerfish or fusiliers among them. A do not miss dive!
WHAT TO SEE:
Barracudas, jacks, snappers, wrasse and moray eels
8. GREEN ROCK
Location: North-West of Koh Nang Yuan
Depth: Average 12 m / Maximum 30 m
Level: Beginner Divers
White, Green and Red Rock are all really worthy to visit. They were named under the colors of the Italian flag because it was an Italian diver who found them. There are many caverns and caves to dive around, and of course triggerfish. Be careful as they are very territorial!
WHAT TO SEE:
triggerfish, moray eels, clownfish, sea snake and soft corals.
9. Hin Wong Pinnacle
Location: East Coast of Koh Tao
Depth: Average 12 m / Maximum 26 m
Level: Beginner Diver
This last dive site in Koh Tao is also located in the East Coast. There are rarely explored by the diving shops because most of the times are ideal for snorkeling. However, you can spot the famous turtle, both diving or snorkeling.
WHAT TO SEE:
Nudibranches, chevron barracuda, great barracuda, razorfish, and turtles.
10. Aow Leuk
Location: South-East of Koh Tao
Depth: South-East of Koh Tao
Level: Beginner Divers
Located in the East side of the island, this place is also ideal for snorkelling, but you can also dive in these waters. If you are lucky enough, you can see turtles while diving here.
WHAT TO SEE:
Nudibranches, chevron barracuda, great barracuda, razorfish, and turtles
Japanese Gardens
Location: East of Koh Nang Yuan
Depth: Average 6 m / Maximum 16 m
Level: Beginner Divers
This place is mainly for beginners or people taking the Open Water or Advanced Certificate. It’s close to the Nang Yuan island and a relax place to dive, ideal to practice diving skills during the course. However, you could still see much life.
WHAT TO SEE:
lionfishes, nudibranchs and many small fish corals.
RED ROCK
Location: North-East of Koh Nang Yuan
Depth: 12 m / Maximum 20 m
Level: Beginner to Advanced Divers
This place is also called Koh Nang Yuan Pinnacle. Stingrays, turtles, and scorpionfish can be found in these waters, together with many triggerfish. Another place you should not miss if you stay long enough on the island.
WHAT TO SEE:
nudibranchs, cowries, angelfish, soldierfish, squirrelfish and anemone corals
LIGHTHOUSE
Location: Northeast of Koh Tao
Depth: Average 10 m / Maximum 14 m
Level: Beginners
This place is named after a small lighthouse near to the shore. This dive is very shallow, so it’s an ideal place for snorkeling as well. The visibility is usually quite good, so it’s easy to admire some corals, as well as parrotfish or barracudas.
WHAT TO SEE:
Parrotfish, bannerfish, anemone fish, yellowtail barracuda, Jenkins Whiprays, and triggerfish.
HIN HGAM
Location: East of Koh Tao
Depth: Average 10 m / Maximum 18 m
Level: Beginners
This place is next to Aow Leuk, just farther from the coast. Here you can admire a great variety of fishes while enjoying the beauty of the bay in the eastern part of the island. This dive site is quite shallow but still has three different pinnacles with lots of life.
WHAT TO SEE:
Blue Spotted Stingray, Yellow Boxfish, Harlequin Sweetlips, Yellowtail Barracuda and Titan Triggerfish
TANOTE BAY
Location: East Part of Koh Tao
Depth: Average 10 m / Maximum 18 m
Level: Beginner Divers
This is a small bay in the East part of the island, not far from Aow Leuk, also very famous among snorkeling fans. You can see a sunken catamaran and lots of corals in this stunning place. This is a small wreck that serves as a home for many fishes. And talking about wrecks, you can also see a motorbike sank at 12m!
WHAT TO SEE:
Jenkins whip ray, groupers, pipefish, Damselfish, yellowtail barracuda, triggerfish
SAmRAn
Location: North-East of Koh Nang Yuan
Depth: 12 m / Maximum 20 m
Level: Beginner to Advanced Divers
This place is also called Koh Nang Yuan Pinnacle. Stingrays, turtles, and scorpionfish can be found in these waters, together with many triggerfish. Another place you should not miss if you stay long enough on the island.
WHAT TO SEE:
You can rent a motorbike/scooter (150/250 per day without insurance or 300-400 with insurance) or book a boat. Mango bay is most easily reached by boat. The road to Mango bay is really, REALLY steep.
Entrance fee = 100 baht.