Koh Tao dive sites are famous the world over and there are over 20 dive sites scattered around the island. But with so many to choose from, which ones are worth a peek and which ones can you skip? So, what are the Top 5 Best Koh Tao dive sites? Here are our recommendations!
1. Sail Rock
Depth: 0 – 30 meters
Best for scuba diving
Rating: Intermediate to advanced
Regularly referred to as the “best site in the Gulf of Thailand,” Sail Rock is the open-ocean home to some of the greatest biodiversity of marine life around Koh Tao. The rock is visible as the dive boat approaches and extends down dozens of meters, making it appropriate for all levels of scuba diver. The site is so expansive, with a “secret pinnacle” to boot, that most operators will stay for two dives to make sure divers get a chance to take it all in. Due to waves, wind, and low visibility, most centres will not make the journey between November – March.
Look out for enormous schools of pelagic fish, whirl-pooling barracudas, if you’re lucky – a whale shark.
2. Chumphon Pinnacle
Depth: 14 – 30 meters
Best for scuba diving
Rating: Intermediate to advanced
A closer alternative to Sail Rock, Chumphon Pinnacle is just a quick journey to the northwest of the island and packed with the same kind of activity and energy as its big brother to the south. The pinnacle isn’t visible from the surface, making it ideal for divers comfortable with deeper descents. Your resolve will be rewarded, however! Chumphon Pinnacle is the most popular local site to have a chance encounter with the very elusive whale shark.
Look out for clouds of swarming fusilier, queenfish and trevally on the hunt, if you’re lucky – a whale shark.
3. HTMS Sattakut
Depth: 20 – 30 meters
Best for scuba diving
Rating: Advanced
This de-commissioned World War II US Navy vessel was gifted to the Thai government several years ago to intentionally sink as an artificial reef and dive-training site. Sat in the muck at 30 metres, in its seven years underwater, the ship has already become a bustling ocean city of its own. Coral has encrusted over much of the exposed metal, and divers can peer inside the barred windows to see massive groupers and trout moseying between cabins. Its depth restricts this site to advanced divers only, and training is available island-wide to learn to safely venture inside the sunken wreck.
Look out for massive groupers and trout, Jenkins’ stingray sometimes hidden beneath the ship and abundant schools of snapper.
4. Southwest Pinnacle
Max Depth: 12 – 30 meters
Best for scuba diving
Rating: Intermediate to advanced
Jutting up through the water column about 15 kilometres south of the island, this stunning pinnacle is alive with activity nearly year-round. The main part of the site is accessible to all levels of scuba diver, while advanced divers rated to dive to 30 meters can explore its nearby “secret pinnacle,” encountering huge schools of fish and the occasional hidden surprise. Like Sail Rock, this site’s accessibility is seasonal.
Look out for giant groupers the size of people, stealthy stingrays, if you’re lucky – a whale shark.
5. Laem Thien
Depth: 0 – 18 meters
Best for scuba diving and snorkelling
Rating: Beginner to Advanced
Tucked in the rugged eastern shore of Koh Tao, Liam Thien is like an underwater playground for scuba divers, with ancient volcanic boulders strewn underwater creating some impressive and entertaining swim-throughs for much exploration. Snorkelers can access the site by boat or by hiking across the island through the jungle along a worn-down road that once accessed a now-abandoned resort. The site also features some great cliff-jumping, starting with a more modest three-meter jump before graduating to nine and 12-meter leaps.
Look out for natural swim-throughs and unique topography, shark-like cobias, unicornfish and bump head parrotfish.
Want to check out some of these awesome sites while you’re visiting Koh Tao? Contact us and tell us where you want to go and we’ll do our best to organize a trip for you. Want to do some of the sites that are more for advanced divers? Then why not do your Advanced Course before you sign up to fun dive? It’s a certification that will allow you to dive to 30 metres for the rest of your life. And you get to do cool things like learning how to scuba dive at night.
