A seasonal weather guide to Koh Tao.
Lazy sunny day on a tropical island in Thailand. Scuba diving enthusiasts around the world have long been drawn to the stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant marine life that can be found on the island of Koh Tao in Thailand. With its clear waters and diverse coral reefs, Koh Tao offers an unforgettable experience for both beginners and seasoned divers alike. However, it’s crucial to consider the weather conditions before planning your scuba diving adventure. In this article, we will explore the best months to scuba dive on Koh Tao based on the weather patterns and conditions.
Koh Tao, located in the Gulf of Thailand, experiences tropical weather influenced by two major monsoon seasons – the Southwest Monsoon and the Northeast Monsoon. The Southwest Monsoon typically occurs from May to September, bringing with it higher chances of rainfall and rough seas. On the other hand, the Northeast Monsoon, which runs from November to March, is characterized by drier weather and calmer seas. These monsoons greatly affect the visibility and underwater conditions, making it essential to choose the right months for scuba diving.
To determine the best months for scuba diving on Koh Tao, we need to take into account various factors such as water visibility, sea conditions, and marine life activity. Let’s explore each season to get a better understanding of what to expect.
Late January through to early March.
The year on Koh Tao starts with post monsoonal visibility, the water on the west side of the island is flat and calm, but visibility can be a bit temperamental because of some leftover effects from monsoon season. February though tends to be a particularly lovely time to visit the island. It’s not uncommon to have some diving days with over 30 meters visibility.
March through to May.
This is summer on Koh Tao and it gets really hot in the Gulf of Thailand especially in April. If you’re looking for nothing but blue skies and guaranteed sunshine and incredible sunsets every day, then this is when you’ll want to visit! The sea is usually mirror flat, the visibility is at it’s best, and it’s whale shark season. Because of how great the diving is during these months, these do tend to be the busiest months of the year. so you would be well advised to book your accommodation and ferry tickets in good time!
June, July & early August.
Sometime in June, the winds will suddenly change direction. During these months the west coast of the island experiences a fresh breeze and some occasionally large waves. Afternoon storms can be typical, especially in late June, but they don’t last long and the weather is still generally pretty sunny throughout the day. Diving is best on the east side of the island where the sea will be flat, calm and crystal clear.
September and October
Technically the beginning of the ‘winter’ months here on Koh Tao, but you’d never know it. The days are beautifully long and sunny. The sea is flat and filled with swimmers and divers. Average daytime air temperatures hover around 30 degrees Celsius, and so does the water temperature. The sea is usually filled with marine life and there’s still a pretty high chance of seeing a whale shark.
November and December Monsoon Season!
November & December are the monsoon months on Koh Tao, but the island doesn’t suffer from the usual monsoon madness. It usually consists of a few weeks of impressively hard rain, on and off, and quite a bit of wind. The visibility on our local dive sites is reduced during these months since the ocean is churning. The water temperature will also drop to around 26 degrees Celsius, which is pretty cold for us!
It’s important to keep in mind that weather patterns can vary from year to year, and it’s advisable to check with local dive operators for the most up-to-date information. They can provide insights on specific dive sites and guide you on the best times to visit.
In conclusion, the best months to scuba dive on Koh Tao are from January to April, during the post monsoon period, or late August through to early November before the monsoon season!
