Koh Tao offers more than 22 dive sites suitable for all levels. Water temperature stays between 27–29°C all year round, currents are usually mild, and AQUATAO runs two boat departures per day — ideal conditions to learn, progress and enjoy fun dives.
Summary
Dive sites for every level
Koh Tao’s waters are known for their comfort and marine diversity. In the mornings we usually visit the deeper sites for certified divers. In the afternoons, we select locations ideal for Try Dives, Refresh programs, Open Water, Advanced and Fun Dives, often including shallow sandy areas perfect for skills practice.
Dive sites for try dive & training
Sheltered, shallow, abundant in marine life — perfect for a Try Dive, a Refresh, or an Open Water course:
- Japanese Garden (Koh Nang Yuan) – 2–15 m: protected bay, colourful corals, tropical reef fish.
- Twins – 7–20 m: two pinnacles, sandy areas for skills, moray eels, turtles.
- Mango Bay – 2–18 m: calm, good visibility, juveniles, excellent first-time experience.
- Aow Leuk – 2–12 m: large sandy platform, juvenile blacktip reef sharks close to shore.
- Three Rocks & Pottery – 5–12 m: great for night dives.
Dive sites for certified divers
Deeper, sometimes affected by current — perfect for Advanced divers or final training dives (depending on conditions).
- White Rock – 5–28 m: large site, macro opportunities, rays, excellent at night.
- Green Rock – 8–28 m: swim-throughs, arches, titan triggerfish during nesting season.
- Shark Island – 10–28 m: exposed, diverse wildlife, whale shark sightings possible.
- Hin Ngam – 6–20 m: varied landscape, macro life, fewer divers.
- Tanote Bay – 5–20 m: turtles, fusiliers, artificial structures.
Must-see dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand
For divers seeking depth, pelagics and spectacular visibility. Deep & Nitrox specialties are recommended to enjoy them at their best.
- Chumphon Pinnacle – 14–36 m: huge schools, trevallies, barracudas, occasional whale shark.
- Southwest Pinnacle – 6–30 m: colourful anemones, snapper schools.
- Sail Rock – 10–40 m: the best site in the Gulf; full-day trip (weather dependent).
- HTMS Sattakut Wreck – 18–30 m: 48-m patrol boat scuttled in 2011, impressive wreck dive.
Dive site map
We adapt our dive site selection depending on certification level, weather conditions, and the type of dive (training, exploration, night dive, specialty).
Conditions & seasons
- 15th of Jan–Apr: excellent visibility.
- May–Jun: transitional period, evening rain, visibility usually good.
- Jul–Sep: variable conditions depending on the year.
- Oct–Dec: more rain, but diving is still possible.
March/April and October/November are good months for whale shark encounters (as everywhere: never guaranteed).
Koh Tao allows year-round diving thanks to sheltered bays around the island.
- 
