Exploring dive sites
Koh Tao offers 25 dive sites all within close proximity to the Island. The average depth is 14-18m, with offshore sites reaching 30m+. There are also a few ship wrecks and artificial reefs. Here a selection of popular sites.
RED ROCK [SHARK ISLAND]
max/av. depth: 28/15mvisibility: 5-30mOpenWater+
features:huge boulders & rock formations, stunning soft corals. Drift diving for the experienced.
marine life:resident turtle, barracuda, titan & triggerfish.
JAPANESE GARDENS
max/av depth: 14/10m visibility:10-15mBeginner+
features:hundreds of hard and soft coral formations creating the impression of an oriental garden.
marine life:abundance of small coral fish & nudibranchs
CHUMPHON PINNACLE
max/av. depth: 40/24mvisibility: 20-30mExperienced
features:4 granite pinnacles carpeted with anemones.
marine life:whale sharks (seasonal), giant grouper, barracuda, bat fish and tuna.
NANGYUAN PINNACLE
max/av depth: 19/10m visibility: 10-30mOpen Water +
features: a large boulder with swim-through arches and to the West a large cave to explore.
marine life:giant whiptail rays, morays, pipefish, crabs, Titan triggerfish and reef sharks.
MANGO BAY
max/av. depth: 16/10mvisibility: 5-20mBeginner+
features: only accessible by boat and a perfect dive site for 1st timers with a sandy bottom and shallow reef.
marine life:small reef fish, puffers, moray eels
WHITE ROCK
max/av depth: 20/12m visibility:10-30mOpen Water+
features: a wide band of coral reef with an impressive diversity of hard and soft corals.
marine life: wrasse, butterfly fish, angel fish, morays, clown fish and triggerfish.
HIN WONG PINNACLE
max/av. depth: 40/17mvisibility: 15-20mOpenWater+
features: tabletop rock formation covered with a variety of hard and soft corals.
marine life:Hawksbill turtles, snappers, sweetlips, porcupine pufferfish, juvenile boxfish.
SAIL ROCK - amongst the Gulf’s premier dive sites
max/av. depth: 45/30mvisibility: 15-35m All levels
features: huge rock chimney with an amazing vertical swim-through that ascends from 18m to 8m.
marine life:large pelagics, king mackerel, kingfish, tuna likely for sightings of whale sharks & manta.
GREEN ROCK
max/av. depth: 28/16mvisibility: 10-30mOpen Water+
features: a maze of swim-throughs, canyons, caverns and caves created by giant boulders.
marine life:yellow-margin and titan triggerfish, giant trevalies, cobias and stingrays, occasional reef shark sightings.
SOUTH-WEST PINNACLE
max/av. depth: 33/20mvisibility: 10-30mAdvanced+
features: a collection of pinnacles with a unique topographical arrangement, giant fan corals.
marine life: whale sharks, giant grouper, barracuda, occasional leopard sharks.
TWINS
max/av depth: 22/12mvisibility: 10-25mOpen Water +
features: 2 groups of granite rocks covered in corals & sponges, divided by sandy patches & coral garden backdrop.
marine life: blue spotted rays, juvenile blue-ringed & six-barred angelfish, clownfish, scorpionfish & pink anemones.