Koh Tao, Thailand Dive Sites

The Most Popular Koh Tao Diving Sites

The fringing reefs of Koh Tao teem with an incredible biodiversity. Tropical reefs are an oasis of life and colour in our oceans. Diving is your entrance to this fascinating ecosystem. Some of the marine life you may experience on your visit to Koh Tao include:Whale Sharks - the largest shark in the world, wander the waters of Koh Tao every year in search of food. These fish can reach 16 meters in length and engulf plankton by the ton with their huge gaping mouths. An exhilarating experience to dive with a such an enormous fish.


The Most Popular Koh Tao Dive Sites: Check out the interactive dive sites icon for dive site maps

Chumporn Pinnacle : lies to the north-west of Koh Tao with about a 40 minute boat journey.  Chumporn is one of the most popular dive sites around Koh Tao because the deeper offshord pinnacle gives a great chance of whale shark sightings in season and common exciting encounters with reef and bull sharks.  We dive this pinnacle every second day on our morning excursions.  The pinnacle starts around 14 meters below the surface and descends to depths in excess of 40 meters.  That makes it great for both the final dives of the PADI open water course and for PADI Tec Rec deep diver training.

Green Rock : an exciting Koh Tao dive site of granite boulders and swim throughs.  The main pinnacle almost breaks the surface dropping to depths of around 27 meters.  On the coast of Koh Nangyuan, this Koh Tao dive site is only a 15 minute boat ride. Green Rock, Koh Tao is a popular dive site for both novice and experienced divers.

Sail Rock: This pinnacle that just out of the ocean is roughly half way between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. With regular sightings of whale sharks and giant baracuda, plus the experience of ascending inside a chimney, this dive site is a favourite for experienced and technical divers. We conduct special half day dive tours by speed boat to Sail Rock weekly in high season making this dive site easily and comfortably accessible from Koh Tao. 

Japanese Gardens: situated in one of Koh Nangyuan's bays, this is a relaxed, easy sloping bottom of coral gardens.  A great dive site for novice divers and those learning to dive. A little deeper from the bay we also now have a sunken dive boat providing a great opportunity for PADI wreck specialties. 

South West Pinnacles: a series of pinnacles descending to 28 meters.  Packed with snappers, baracuda and grouper.  A great dive site for both novice and experienced dive tours plus advanced dive training and specialty courses. A 30 minute boat ride from Koh Tao our experienced divemasters will lead you on a fantastic dive of South West and out to the secret pinnacle.

Enjoy the amazing marine life of Koh Tao Dive Sites:

Black Tip Reef Sharks - like all sharks, are amazing hunters. They have all the five senses of an human, plus one more - electrosensitivity. This sixth sense enables them to detect the heartbeat and muscle movement of their prey hiding in the sand or coral.

Cleaner Wrasse - clean the ectoparasites off other fish. They advertise their cleaning station with their bright coloured bodies and a little dance. At times there may be four or five fish patiently waiting in line to be cleaned.

Sea Cucumbers - are slow moving animals that vacuum the sand for food. Their defence when attacked by fish is to eviscerate their guts. The fish are satisfied to eat while the cucumber slinks away and regenerates it's insides.

Sea Stars - are deadly hunters that pry open their prey with their powerful arms. Once open they stick their stomach out through their mouths, into the shell and begin digesting their prey while still in it's home.

A clownfish family may consist of two adults and one or two juveniles living in the same anemone. These fish rarely ever leave the protection of the anemone. In fact, if the female clownfish dies, the male clownfish will not leave the anemone in search of a new mate. He simply changes sex and takes over the role of the female. One of the juvenile fish steps up and takes up the role of the male.

The Longnose Butterfly fish has a black spot at the tail end of its body called a false eye spot. This eye spot confuses attacking predators, causing them to go for the wrong end of the fish. This form of camouflage allows the butterfly fish to dart off in the other direction, hopefully with its tail intact. Better its tail than its head.