Introduction

Ko Tao (or Koh Tao) is located in the Gulf of Thailand. Its name, meaning Turtle Island, derives from the large amount of sea turtles that could, a long time ago, be observed in its waters. The island, which has a surface of 21 square kilometers, reached 379 meters, is surrounded by beaches and covered with tropical jungle. Ko Tao, which was a jail in the early 20th century, became in the eighties a popular destination for hiking and mainly for scuba diving. Koh Tao is fringed by coral reefs, and offer good sites for both beginners and advanced divers. A highlight is the occasional whale shark visit that happens around March and April.

Travel facts

Diving type

Destination

easily accessible

bargain destination

Diving level & type

for beginners

for advanced divers

shore diving

liveaboard

Diving Characteristics

pelagics

lots of fish

lots of corals

interesting underwater scenery

Other activities

attractive natural spots

gastronomy

night life

beach

snorkeling

Diving Sites

• 

  Chumphon Pinnacles

  depth : 20-36 m

  visibility : 20-30 m
  description :
  
  Due to its location, facing the open sea, relatively strong currents can be encountered on this site which is therefore to be reserved to experienced divers. Four pinnacles, at depths varying from 34 to 16 meters, are covered with anemones... and of course clown-fish. Whale-sharks are often to be found on this site, but you are more likely to meet with barracudas, groupers (up to two meters long), tuna- and jackfish. Lots of soft corals, with nice colors.
  One of the best dives in the area, provided that the conditions are good. This diving site is rather far from Ko Tao (50 minutes by boat), 5 km N-W of Nangyuan.
  
  
• 

  Green Rock

  depth : 12-25 m

  visibility : 10-30 m
  description :
  
  Diving site located around a large underwater rock. Not accessible when the wind is strong. On the other hand, there are only few currents there. Interesting underwater landscape, with caves, tunnels and breaks. The only site in Ko Tao where we could observe schools of glassfish. Also titan filefish (approach with caution, this fish is known to defend its territory), blue-spotted rays, turtles, groupers...
  Famous site for night diving.
  
  
• 

  Nang-Yuan Bay 1+2 (Japanese Garden)

  depth : 6-12 m

  visibility : 5-25 m
  description :
  
  Easy diving site (great for beginners), where pinnacles are surrounded by white sand, with some small walls and cliffs. Unfortunately, the blenching due to El Niño has damaged soft corals, star boulder and sponges. Nice fish, including white- and black tip sharks, blue-spotted rays, a lot of parrotfish and angelfish. Some nudibranchs are also found there.
  
  
• 

  Shark Island

  depth : 15-28 m

  visibility : 10-25 m
  description :
  
  Small rocky island, supposed to look like the tail of a shark. Strong currents can be encountered, but with good conditions, this diving site looks like an Eden garden probably due to its magnificent corals. The fauna is classic.
  
  
• 

  White Rock

  depth : 9-22 m

  visibility : 15-30 m
  description :
  
  Accessible to all divers, this site displays two pinnacles almost emerging almost at the surface (2 meters deep), with breaks and a lot of soft corals. As for the fauna: barracudas, groupers, morays, crabs and shrimps, sea urchins, anemones, nudibranchs, etc.
  Impressive at night, since fish are in the breaks and therefore easy to observe. For instance, it is possible to get close to the titan filefish, which is very aggressive during the day.