Scuba Diving in Koh Tao – Is it the best diving in Thailand?
When it comes to scuba diving in Thailand, Koh Tao is one of the top destinations for divers across the globe. With its numerous dive shops and resorts offering courses from basic Open Water Diver courses to advanced diving and specialty courses, Koh Tao has something for everyone. The island is especially known for its very affordable prices.
The colorful coral reefs and abundance of marine life draw divers from all over the world, who come to explore the underwater wonders that wait beneath the surface. From seahorses to clownfish to famous whale sharks, there’s plenty to see on a dive in Koh Tao.
Koh Tao also offers a variety of dive sites, ranging from shallow reefs to more challenging deep dives. The island has something for everyone, whether you’re interested in drift diving, night diving, or exploring the wrecks that lie on the ocean floor.
About Koh Tao, Thailand
Koh Tao is an island on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. The area is famous for three islands that are fairly close to each other: Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.
Koh Tao is the smallest and most northern of the 3 islands. Koh Tao means in English Turtle Island.
Although relatively small (21 km²), this island packs a punch when it comes to its underwater landscape. Stunningly indented rocky pinnacles arrayed with vibrant coral gardens and majestic shipwrecks offer an unparalleled spectacle beneath the waves.
Surrounded by turquoise waters, there are plenty of reefs right at the shore of the islands, allowing for snorkeling. In fact, some dive sites are even so close to the island that you may see snorkelers from below.
What’s to see when diving in Koh Tao
At any point in the year, you can explore the rock and coral formations of Koh Tao while diving. The titan triggerfish, blacktip reef sharks, sea snakes, hawksbill, and green turtles dazzle with their vibrant display throughout all seasons. Moreover, whale sharks are most likely to arrive at deeper pinnacles between October and May.
With very diverse dive sites (see our dive site guide below) you can expect very different experiences. Koh Tao is also known for macro life like nudie branches and see horses.
Are there sharks in Koh Tao?
Yes, Koh Tao is home to blacktip reef sharks and leopard sharks. Additionally, during the winter months whale sharks migrate through the Gulf of Thailand. There is actually a dive site called Shark Island where it’s known to spot leopard sharks. Close to the island in certain shallow bays, you can find turtles, as well as blacktip reef sharks. When I was on Koh Tao in 2022, I saw 3 baby blacktip reef sharks roaming around at the beach.
Overview of all dive sites in Koh Tao
| Dive site | Type | Max. depth | Visibility | What to see | Level |
| Shark Island | Reef | 92 ft/28 m (MV Trident 118ft/36 m) | 7 – 100 ft/ 2 – 30 m | leopard shark whale shark drift dive Corals Hidden shipwreck | Advanced |
| Hin Pee Wee | Rock | 92 ft/ 28 m | 7 – 3 3ft/ 2 – 10 m | Turtle sleeping cavernsSoft coralPinnacles | Advanced |
| Hin Ngam | Rock | 60 ft/18 m | 33 – 82 ft/ 10 – 25 m | Pinnacles Soft coral Barracuda Rays | Beginner |
| Red Rock | Wall | 72 ft (60 ft possible)/ 22 m (18 m possible) | 16 – 33 ft/ 5 – 10 m | Pinnacles Swim throughs | Beginner |
| Twins | Rock | 60 ft/ 18 m | 16 – 66 ft/ 5 – 20 m | Pinnacles Diverse marine life Macro life Sting rays | Beginner |
| Aow Leuk | Reef | 49 ft/ 15 m | 16 – 33 ft/ 5 – 10 m | Shallow reef Boulder & stony corals Soft corals Juvenile fish species | Beginner |
| Chumphon Pinnacle | Wall | 100 ft/ 30 m | 33 – 100 ft/ 10 – 30 m | Schools of fish Whale shark (possible) Pinnacles White-eyed moral eels | Advanced |
| Green Rock | Rock | 92 ft/ 28 m | 16 – 66 ft/ 5 – 20 m | Large boulders w/ swim-throughs Turtles Whale sharks | Advanced |
| Hin Wong | Rock | 100 ft/ 30 m | 7 – 82 ft/ 2 – 25 m | Pinnacle Abundance of fish Whale sharks | Advanced |
| HTMS Sattakut | Wreck | 100 ft/ 30 m | 7 – 33 ft/ 2 – 10 m | Shipwreck Scorpionfish Whale shark | Advanced |
| Japanese Gardens | Reef | 49 ft/ 15 m | 16 – 66 ft/ 5 – 20 m | Shallow reef Hard & soft coral Abundance of fish | Beginner |
| Junkyard Reef | Reef | 36 ft/ 12 m | 26 – 66 ft/ 8 – 20 m | Artificial reef Abundance of fish Coral | Beginner |
| Lighthouse Bay | Rock | 46ft/ 14 m | 16 – 33 ft/ 5 – 10 m | Pinnacle Abundance of fish Hard & soft coral | Beginner |
| Mango Bay | Reef | 66 ft/ 20 m | 33 – 66 ft/ 10 – 20 m | Rocky coastline Hard & soft coral Moray Eels | Beginner |
| 3 Rocks & Pottery | Rock | 39 ft/ 12 m | 7 – 3 3ft/ 2 – 10 m | Pinnacle Rays Night dive | Beginner |
| South West Pinnacle | Rock | 92 ft/ 28 m | 7 – 66 ft/ 2 – 20 m | 7 pinnacles Corals Whale sharks Giant groupers | Advanced |
| No Name Pinnacle | Rock | 98 ft/ 30 m | 7 – 33ft/ 2 – 10 m | Deep dive School of fish Pinnacle Whale sharks | Advanced |
| Tanote Bay | Reef | 60 ft/ 18 m | 7 – 33ft/ 2 – 10 m | Shallow reef Small shipwreck Motorscooter | Beginner |
| White Rock | Reef/ Rock | 72 ft/ 22 m | 33 – 66 ft/ 10 – 20 m | Pinnacles Coral gardens Abundance of fish Sea snake Turtle | Beginner |
| Laem Thian | Rock | 100 ft (60 ft possible) 30 m (18 m possible) | 33 – 66 ft/ 10 – 20 m | PinnacleCaves Shoal of fish | Beginner |
| Buoyancy World | Reef | 52 ft/ 16 m | 16 – 66 ft/ 5 – 20 m | Artificial reef Training ground Marine conservation awareness | Beginner |
| Sail Rock(Hin Bai) | Rock | 100 ft/ 30 m | 33 – 130 ft/ 10 – 40 m | Chimney Open ocean Abundance of fish Big fish Whale shark | Advanced |
| Samran Pinnacle | Rock | 92 ft/ 28 m | 7 – 98 ft/ 2 – 30 m | PinnacleOpen ocean | Advanced |
Best dive sites in Koh Tao, Thailand
Chumphon Pinnacle
Chumphon is one of the farthest dive sites in the open ocean, which makes it great to see bigger fish. For example, groupers and whale shark sightings are also common during the season. The giant pinnacle reaches from 100 to 46 feet (30 – 14 meters) below the surface. There is a lot of fish swimming around the rock formation and also hiding in the little cracks and caverns.
Not just because of the whale shark, Chumphon Pinnacle is renowned as the most popular dive site in Koh Tao. However, due to its depth, this dive location is for advanced divers only.
Check out the full dive site guide of Chumphon Pinnacle.
Shark Island
Shark Island is just 850 yards (800 meters) off the coast of Koh Tao. Unlike the name might suggest a dive site full of sharks, the spot got its name from the rock formation reminding of a shark’s back fin.
Nonetheless, this advanced dive site is famous for its underwater diversity: Soft and hard-coral, rock formations, an abundance of fish including turtles, and a chance to a glimpse of a passing whale shark during the season.
The dive site is for advanced divers due to its depth and at times strong and unpredictable underwater currents. Divers explore depths of up to 92 feet (28 meters). A little further and deeper lies a hidden gem – a sunken German coastguard shipwreck. At a depth of 118 feet (36 meters), this spot is often used for nitrox diving.
Read our full Koh Tao Shark Island dive site guide.
Aow Leuk
A bay that is shared with snorkelers is Aow Leuk. This shallow reef has a large variety of corals and fish. Turtles and occasionally reef sharks visit the bay. Aow Leuk is rated as the best dive site for beginners and is often used for scuba diving courses and training.
Read the full Aow Leuk dive site guide
HTMS Sattakut and Hin Pee Wee
Shipwrecks are always exciting – the HTMS Sattakut wreck is a sunken WW2 gunboat at a depth between 60 and 100 feet (18 – 30 meters). This makes the wreck only accessible for advanced divers. The vessel lies just 100 feet (30 meters) from the Hin Pee Wee dive site, and you usually get to explore both at the same dive.
At Hin Pee Wee, you can explore pinnacles and an abundance of marine life.
Get all details of the HTMS Sattakut dive site.
Junkyard Reef
Beginner and trained divers alike flock to Junkyard Reef in Koh Tao, the first artificial dive site of the island. At a maximum depth of 39 feet (12 meters), this shallow reef entices all levels of diver with boundless marine life and surprises that only an artificial reef can bring: From sunken gym equipment to coral fences and steel constructions. It’s also one of the most popular night dive sites.
Join the local underwater gym at Junkyard Reef.
White Rock
White Rock on Koh Tao is a paradise for scuba divers wishing to observe the vast diversity of marine life in the Gulf of Thailand. The dive site features granite pinnacles and boulders with shallow coral gardens, assorted hard and soft corals sprinkled across a patch of sand between shale beds. White Rock is probably the largest dive site in Koh Tao, ensuring no two dives are the same.
Full dive site briefing for White Rock
Hin Ngam
Boasting a tranquil sand beach and an encircling fringing reef, Hin Ngam is undoubtedly one of the most popular snorkeling spots on the island. Not to mention its seabed ranges between 16 and 60 feet (5 – 18 meters) deep, making it a great dive site for both newbies and experienced divers alike. Many dives kick off here at Hin Ngam before progressing onto Aow Leuk, which is only a few feet or meters further north.
Hin Ngam is home to an abundance of marine life that flourishes amongst its three towering pinnacles. The vast array of creatures inhabiting these waters include shrimps, turtles, porcupine puffers, scorpionfish, white-eyed moray eels, and blue-spotted rays.
Japanse Gardens coral reef
Japanse Gardens in Koh Tao is one of the most popular dive sites amongst beginners and advanced divers. The shallow reef with a maximum depth of 49 feet (15 meters) is fairly large and has good visibility (average of 33 ft/10m). With a stunning array of corals and an abundance of marine life, there is plenty to explore. For divers with good buoyancy, there is a swim-through to explore on the south end of the reef.
Everything you need to know about Japanese Gardens Reef
Red Rock Pinnacle
Red Rock Pinnacle is a magnificent granite formation reaching almost two meters below the sea, and dropping to 66 feet (20 meters). A big crack in the rock gives smaller fish the perfect hiding spot. This dive site is great for all divers, from novices to experts, who can use it as an incredible drop-off spot. If planned as a drift dive, it takes you through breathtaking scenery along the shore to Japanese Gardens. That way you can get two dive sites with one dive. But don’t forget Nang Yuan cave, which is a nice swim-through on a little detour to the north on the way to Japanese Gardens.
Get our full dive guide for Red Rock Pinnacle
Twins Pinnacle
The Twins dive site resides on the western side of Koh Nang Yuan – just across the sandy landstripe from Japanse Gardens. This stunning spot features – controversy to its name – three pinnacles: two large formations situated between 16-49 feet (5 -15 meters) deep and one smaller pinnacle that plunges to 60 feet at its deepest point in open seas further west. The rock formations feature a wide range of corals and marine life like the usual Koh Tao suspects but also rays hiding in the sand and turtles munching on the corals.
From the middle pinnacle, you could also explore the artificial dive site Buoyancy World. Overall, both spots are frequent training locations.
Read the entire dive plan for Twins Pinnacles
Best time to dive in Koh Tao
Local dive shops claim that it’s best all year long, with the exception of October through December. Rain season starts in Thailand in April and last until October. However, the east coast – where Koh Tao is located – usually reports the most rain between October and December. Also, the winds are heavier then, resulting in choppier waters and less visibility. And if you don’t want one thing in the Gulf of Thailand, it’s even worse visibility.
I was in Koh Tao in July, and it rained almost every day – might have been an unlucky week, but I would recommend coming to Koh Tao for diving from January through May when the visibility is really at its best. This also falls into the whale shark season.
Getting trained and scuba certified in Koh Tao
There are many SSI and PADI dive centers that offer relatively cheap certification courses. Thanks to the diverse dive sites, it’s great for open water training but also to complete the Advanced Open water certification or do specialty courses like Nitrox diving.
Most dive sites are easy to dive, even though they might have low visibility and are deep dives, but the dive itself is usually not very challenging, which makes it great to focus on your basic skills like buoyancy control, navigation training, or clearing your dive mask.
Open Water courses usually conduct the confined water training in the ocean already. Close to shore in the calm, shallow waters offer the perfect test ground for newbies and those needing a refresher course.
How much does it cost to dive at Koh Tao, Thailand
Koh Tao is renowned for its unbeatable scuba prices— for certified divers, the first dive typically starts at merely 1,000 Thai Baht (approximately 70 USD). To maximize savings, the rule of thumb is that for any dives between 2 and 10, the cost drops to an incredibly low 900 or even 800 TBH (approximately 30 to 25 USD) per dive. Therefore, two-tank fun dives are a mere $50!
Certification courses are equally fairly priced. The Open Water certification starts at about 11,000 Thai Baht (approx. 320 USD), and the Advanced Open Water costs about 10,000 TBH ($290). The price for a combination of the Open Water and Advanced Open water course saves you even more money. It often costs only 20,000 Thai Baht ($580) including all required dives and equipment rental.
