Dive Sites in Koh Tao, Thailand

Koh Tao is a popular island destination for all levels and disciplines of scuba diving and also snorkelling. Koh Tao’s stunning coral reefs with an abundance of marine life start just a few metres offshore. The island is among the most popular spots in the whole world for snorkelling and diving. Although Koh Tao is about 21 km long, there are more than 60 PADI Diving Schools here.

 

Koh Tao is located on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand, not far away from Koh Samui and Koh Phangan islands. Koh Tao is famous among young people, backpackers and those who are seeking to get a PADI license for Divers. The island is popular for diving, amazing beaches and incredible sunsets.

 

If you are heading to Koh Tao and you’re planning to dive, here are the best dive sites around the island:

 
 

 

White Rock

 
Diving Level: Open Water Diver

Depth: 0 – 24 meters

Current: Weak

Location: On the West side of Koh Tao, 10 minutes by boat from Sairee Beach

Marine Life: sea turtles, nudibranchs, blue spotted stingrays, barracuda, angelfish, moray eels, triggerfish, soft and hard corals, butterflyfish, herbivores, etc.
 

Sail Rock

 
Diving Level : All levels

Depth : 0 – 40 meters

Current : Weak to Medium

Location: Between Koh Tao and Ko Phangan, 1,5 hours by boat from Ko Tao

Marine Life: large pelagic, large tuna, giant groupers, king mackerel, chevron barracudas, whale shark, manta rays, trevally,  fusiliers, etc.
 

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Shark Island

 
Diving Level: Open Water and Advanced Divers

Depth: 15 – 24 meters

Current: Weak to Strong

Location: Southeast of Koh Tao

Marine Life: NO sharks – the island got its name from its appearance at the surface, looking like a shark fin. Here you can find soft corals, turtles, sea snakes, triggerfish, clownfish, yellowtail barracuda, etc.
 

 

South West Pinnacle

 
Diving Level: Open Water and Advanced Divers

Depth: 0 – 33 meters

Current: Weak to Average

Location: South-West of Koh Tao

Marine Life: scorpion fishes, yellow tail barracudas, leopard sharks, groupers, etc.
 

Twins

 
Diving Level: Open Water Divers

Depth: 0 – 22 meters

Current: Weak

Location: On the west side of Koh Nang Yuan

Marine Life: Moray eels, clown fishes, angelfish, trevallies, yellow tail barracudas, blue spotted stingray, pink anemones, shipwreck, octopus, butterfly fish,  bannerfish, rabbitfish, groupers, etc.
 

 

The Best Beaches in Koh Tao, Thailand

 

Green Rock

 
Diving Level: Open Water Diver

Depth: 5 – 28 meters

Current: Weak

Location: On the northwest tip of Koh Nang Yuan, you will dive in small cavities and underwater tunnels

Marine Life: titan triggerfish, sea snakes, hawksbill, green turtles, moray eels, clownfish, some spectacular soft corals, etc.
 

 

Laem Tian

 
Diving Level: All levels

Depth: 0 – 17 meters

Current: Weak

Location: On the east side of Koh Tao

Marine Life: Turtles, stingrays, jacks, triggerfish, corals, etc.
 

Japanese Garden

 
Diving Level: Open Water Diver

Depth: 5 – 18 meters

Current: weak

Location: Koh Nangyuan

Marine Life: nudibranchs, soft and hard corals, lionfishes, nudibranchs, many small fish corals, etc.
 

 

Chumphon Pinnacle

 
Diving Level: Advanced

Depth: 0 – 45 meters

Current: Weak to Medium

Location: North-west of Koh Tao, 45 minutes away from Sairee Beach

Marine Life: giant groupers, barracuda, batfish, trevally, queenfish, big eye jack, whale shark, remoras, cobias, etc.
 

Essential Tips on Travelling to Chiang Mai, Thailand

 

 

HTMS Sattakut

 
Diving Level: Advanced Divers

Depth:  22 – 28 meters

Current: Weak

Location: 50 meters south of the Hin Pee Wee dive site and very close to Sairee Beach

Marine Life: Fusiliers, barracudas, groupers, trevally, jacks, snappers, wrasses, moray eels, grey reef sharks, putter fish, etc.
 

 
Enjoy the day!
 

 
 
*This post contains Affiliate Links. I only recommend high-quality items and services I am confident about. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.