AsiaIsland HoppingThailand

Dive Sites in Koh Tao, Thailand

by Tsvete Popp
written by Tsvete Popp
Vibrant Christmas tree worms on coral in Koh Tao, Thailand's clear blue waters.

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 the island 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. The island 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 the small island and you're planning to dive, here are the best dive sites around the island:

Colorful coral reef with marine life in Koh Tao, Thailand's clear waters.

Colorful giant clam nestled in coral reef, Koh Tao, Thailand.

Blue-spotted stingray resting on the ocean floor in Koh Tao, Thailand.

White Rock Koh Tao

Diving Level: Open Water Diver

Depth: 0 – 24 meters

Current: Weak

Location: On the West side of the island, 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 Koh Tao

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.

Blue-spotted stingray resting on sandy seabed near coral in Koh Tao, Thailand.
Feather duster worm emerging from coral in Koh Tao, Thailand's vibrant marine ecosystem.
Colorful coral reef with Christmas tree worms in Koh Tao, Thailand's vibrant underwater scene.
Vibrant blue Christmas tree worms on coral in Koh Tao, Thailand.
Vibrant Christmas tree worms on coral in Koh Tao, Thailand's clear blue waters.

Shark Island Koh Tao

Diving Level: Open Water and Advanced Divers

Depth: 15 – 24 meters

Current: Weak to Strong

Location: Southeast of the island

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.

Vibrant coral reef with marine life in Koh Tao, Thailand's clear blue water.

Colorful coral reef with fish in Koh Tao, Thailand.

Vibrant coral reef with marine life in Koh Tao, Thailand's clear blue waters.

Colorful corals and fish underwater at Koh Tao, Thailand, showcasing vibrant marine life.

Close-up of vibrant coral reef in Koh Tao, Thailand, with diverse marine life.

South West Pinnacle Koh Tao

Diving Level: Open Water and Advanced Divers

Depth: 0 – 33 meters

Current: Weak to Average

Location: South-West of the island

Marine Life: scorpionfishes, 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 stingrays, pink anemones, shipwreck, octopus, butterfly fish,  bannerfish, rabbitfish, groupers, etc.

Vibrant coral reef teeming with marine life in Koh Tao, Thailand's clear waters.

Feather duster worm on coral reef in Koh Tao, Thailand.

Vibrant feather duster worm on coral reef in Koh Tao, Thailand's clear waters.

Close-up of a spiral tube worm on coral in Koh Tao, Thailand's vibrant underwater scenery.

Colorful Christmas tree worms on coral reef in Koh Tao, Thailand.

Scuba diver exploring vibrant coral reef in Koh Tao, Thailand's clear blue waters.

Green Rock Koh Tao

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.

Vibrant coral formation underwater in Koh Tao, Thailand, showcasing natural marine beauty.

Colorful coral formations in the waters of Koh Tao, Thailand.

Close-up of a brain coral in the clear waters of Koh Tao, Thailand.

Laem Tian Koh Tao

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.

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.

Brain coral with fish in the blue waters of Koh Tao, Thailand.

Brain corals and small fish in clear waters off Koh Tao, Thailand.

Colorful fish swimming around coral reefs in Koh Tao, Thailand's clear waters.

Vibrant coral reef teeming with marine life in Koh Tao, Thailand.

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.

Coral reef with marine life in clear waters off Koh Tao, Thailand.

Diverse coral reef with a black damselfish in Koh Tao, Thailand.

Colorful marine life on coral in Koh Tao, Thailand's vibrant underwater ecosystem.

Colorful coral reef and fish in the clear waters of Koh Tao, Thailand's vibrant marine life.

Coral reef with sea urchins and fish in Koh Tao, Thailand's vibrant underwater landscape.

 

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.

Underwater coral reef scene in Koh Tao, Thailand, featuring diverse marine life.

Colorful coral reef in Koh Tao, Thailand, showcasing diverse marine life.

Colorful corals and fish in Koh Tao, Thailand's vibrant underwater ecosystem.

Vibrant coral reef with fish in the clear waters of Koh Tao, Thailand.

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