7 amazing places to dive near Koh Tao - everything you need to know

Scuba diving is a unique experience. When you find yourself underwater, you'll feel like you're on a completely different planet, teeming with life. From large schools of fish to colorful carpets of coral, the ocean hides more beauty than you can imagine.

Here are the best places for diving in Koh Tao:

Sail Rock

Sail Rock (also known as Hin Bai) is considered the best diving spot in the entire Gulf of Thailand. Sail Rock is probably one of the best diving spots in the world, attracting divers of all skill levels from everywhere.

The hotel is located between the islands of Ko Phangan and Ko Tao, a 2-hour boat ride from the latter. The site consists of a huge rock that rises 8 meters above sea level and drops to 22 meters.

There is also a second rock, which descends 30 meters and does not penetrate the surface. Sail Rock, much farther from the islands, is a paradise for marine life. You can see large flocks of koi fish, chevron barracudas, bats and more. If you're lucky, you might even see a whale shark.

Cost: 2500-3500 baht.

2. Chumphon Pinnacle

Chumphon Pinnacle is the most popular dive site nearby, located just 40 minutes from the coast of Koh Tao. It descends to almost 30 meters and boasts fantastic visibility (over 25 meters) almost all year round.

The site consists of a single, huge granite peak surrounded by several smaller ones. The top of the main summit is covered with beautiful pink anemones, where you can see crabs, shrimp, pink anemone fish and scorpionfish.

You'll also encounter a flock of bats as you head further down. If you swim a bit south, you'll come across Barracuda Rock, where you'll find large flocks of barracuda and giant sea bass.

Cost: 1500-3000 baht.

3. Southwest Pinnacle

Southwest Pinnacle, about a half-hour drive south of Ko Tao, is another popular dive spot in the area. It's the perfect place for your first deep training dive, as its 26-28 meter depths are not that hard to reach.

You will be able to see a lot of cobia and Razorfish. Quite a few giant groupers can be found in the shadows at lower depths. In addition to hundreds of shrimp you can also find blue spotted cottontail and white-eyed moray.

For the more experienced divers, there is a secret summit that is only a 5-minute swim from the main one.

Cost: 1500-2500 baht.

4. Green Rock

Green Rock is a very interesting dive. It is located off the northwest coast near Ko Nang Yuan. It consists of an abundance of large boulders and rock formations. They created some swimming passages and caves for divers.

From time to time there are strong currents, which can be a bit difficult for beginners, but are of interest to the more experienced. Visibility is usually about 15 meters, but it varies with the season.

You can see a lot of green turtles, hence the name. You will also find Hawks Bill, big Jenkins whips, and chevron barracuda. Yellowtail barracuda are very common at the top of the cliff, and the sun shimmering over their bodies is a real sight to behold.

Cost: 1000-2000 baht.

5. Shark Island

There are no sharks on the island. The name actually comes from the fact that the part of the summit that is above sea level is very similar to a shark's fin.

The site is located 300 meters from the south coast of the island of Koh Tao. Although there can be strong currents here, they are easy to avoid, since the top is mostly a small island. Visibility here is not bad either, usually about 20-25 meters.

Shark Island is actually considered the most diverse diving spot on Ko Tao. There are many amazing wildlife and a variety of colorful aquatic life.

You can find brain corals, anemones, and giant barrel sponges. Spotted blue-spotted tails, Weibels butterfly fish and sculpins are all very common. Turtles are also permanent residents.

Cost: 1500-3000 baht.

6. White Rock

White Rock, also known as Hin Kaow, is probably the most popular diving spot on Ko Tao because of its proximity to the main beach of Sayri Island. It takes only 10 minutes by boat to get there.

It's also one of the biggest dive spots in Thailand, famous for night dives and PADI certification dives. It is home to magnificent coral gardens. There are more or less no currents, and visibility is almost always above 15 meters.

You will see turtles, bannermen, butterfly fish, angelfish, and more. The place is best known for the abundance of the famous Triggerfish of Titan Co Tao.

Cost: 500-2000 baht.

7. Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden, located northwest of Ko Tao, is a great place for beginners and snorkelers, as it is quite shallow, reaching a maximum depth of only 15 meters.

The favorable conditions make the Japanese Garden another common destination for PADI certification courses. This site has many hard and soft coral formations, making it look like an underwater replica of a traditional Zen garden, hence the name.

You can find plenty of parrotfish, bannerfish, rabbitfish, catfish, and giant fish. If you're lucky, you might even spot a turtle.

The highlight of the Japanese garden is the wreckage of an old diving ship. At a depth of only 15 meters, the ship impresses inexperienced divers.

Cost: 1500-2500 baht.

When to visit?

People dive on Ko Tao all year round, but as they say, there are several major dive seasons:

July-August is the busiest season. Underwater conditions are good and the weather is cooler than in the summer.

November to December is the monsoon season. This is when more experienced divers usually head out to sea. Reduced visibility and a significant drop in temperature will give your dive a sense of adventure.

February-May is the hottest season. Underwater conditions are at their best and visibility can quickly reach 30 meters. This is also the season to spot the famous whale shark Her sightings peak in April and May.

Precautions

• Make sure your divemaster is certified or affiliated with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or SSI (Scuba Schools International).
• Pay special attention to the pre-dive briefing, especially if it is your first time. You will be taught the rules, techniques and safety precautions for proper diving.
• Don't be overconfident and don't take risks yourself. You should always be close to your instructor.
• Communicate freely with your instructor and let him or her know if you have any problems, even if it doesn't seem like a big deal.
• Leave your personal belongings with a friend who does not dive, or if that is not possible, place them in a locker. Lockers can be found at most beaches and dive agencies.

Ko Tao is one of the best places in the world for scuba diving. Whether you are a professional diver or someone who has never been underwater, you just can't miss out on diving opportunities.