One of the largest dive sites on Koh Tao with an enormous variety of marine life. Consists of two rock formations with a beautiful coral garden between them. The 'white rock' itself is on the northeast. Among the best sites on the island, deserving more than one dive. Wildlife: sea turtle, whale shark, titan triggerfish, huge barracuda (night dive), angelfish, blue-spotted stingray, sea snake, butterflyfish, white-eyed moray, whitetip reef shark.
Depth: 5-22m
Easy-Intermediate
Night diving
Turtles
Details
Undoubtedly one of the most popular dive sites on Koh Tao. Consists of two rock pinnacles starting shallow underwater — suitable for divers of all levels. Recommended for night diving for experienced divers. Map shows Nemo (clownfish), swim-through, and directions to Buoyancy World and No Name Pinnacle. Wildlife: clownfish, blue-spotted stingray, titan triggerfish, white-eyed moray, yellow boxfish, goby.
Depth: 5-18m
Easy-Intermediate
Night diving
Nemo
Details
THE BEST dive site in the Gulf of Thailand. A solitary massive rock in the open sea, rising from 40m depth to 10m above sea level. Closest to Phangan and Samui, farthest from Tao. Inside the rock — a chimney cave from 18m to 6m. To the east — Secret Pinnacle starting at 15m. Several months a year (usually autumn) a family of bull sharks resides here. Best chances to encounter whale sharks. Wildlife: whale shark, grey reef shark, bull shark, giant grouper, titan triggerfish, barracuda, stonefish.
Depth: 1-35m
Intermediate
Whale sharks
Bull sharks
Details
One of Koh Tao's best dive sites. A massive mountain rises from 40m to 12m depth. To the southwest at 17m — Barracuda Rock outcrop with huge barracuda schools, a must-see. Swim-through on the west side. Wildlife: whale shark, grey reef shark, bull shark, giant grouper, titan triggerfish, barracuda, lionfish, stonefish, pink clownfish.
Depth: 12-35m
Intermediate
Barracuda Rock
Whale sharks
Details
An excellent deep-water dive site 10 km from Koh Tao. A massive pinnacle surrounded by large rock formations. Nearby — a smaller replica, Secret Pinnacle, teeming with marine life. Wildlife: giant grouper, whale shark, titan triggerfish, giant barracuda, and much more.
Depth: 5-30m
Intermediate
Secret Pinnacle
Whale sharks
Details
A shallow dive site in one of Koh Tao's bays, ideal for Open Water Diver level. Covered with huge corals, especially the western part. You can drop off before entering the bay for a deeper dive. Wildlife: blue-spotted stingray, grey ray, titan triggerfish, fusilier, parrotfish, seahorse.
Depth: 2-18m
Easy
Corals
Seahorse
Details
A deep-water site with the greatest coral diversity on Koh Tao — more than any other dive site on the island. Huge boulders to the south. Wildlife: giant grouper, chevron barracuda, razorfish, goatfish, giant barracuda, and much more.
Depth: 15-25m
Intermediate
#1 corals
Barracuda
Details
For experienced divers. Around a small island near Aow Leuk bay, Koh Tao. Numerous boulders and rock formations. White rocks on the bottom reflect sunlight, making it ideal for underwater photography. Warning: strong currents possible! Nearby — MV Trident wreck. Wildlife: titan triggerfish, giant barracuda, yellowtail barracuda, white-eyed moray.
Depth: 4-25m
Intermediate
Photo
Currents
Details
A dive site on Nang Yuan island. Numerous boulders form rock formations with caves and swim-throughs. Suitable for beginner divers to improve buoyancy skills. Map shows Funnel Coral and Mushroom Coral, swim-through, direction to Red Rock, and Ship Wreck (60m swim, 18m depth). Wildlife: blue-spotted stingray, titan triggerfish, angelfish, butterflyfish.
Depth: 5-16m
Easy
Nang Yuan
Swim-through
Details
Great for divers who love wall diving — part of the site is Nang Yuan island. To the west — one of Koh Tao's best underwater caves (Nangyuan Cave): a long (~12m) beautiful swim-through, entrance at 5m, several exits, bright cave. Continue southwest to reach Japanese Gardens. Wildlife: titan triggerfish, angelfish, porcupinefish, white-eyed moray, sea turtle.
Depth: 5-20m
Intermediate
Cave 12m
Nang Yuan
Details
Near Nang Yuan island. Huge boulders form corridors and swim-throughs — very exciting to swim through. Map shows Trigger Pit — beware of triggerfish, abundant here, or your dive may become too 'exciting'! Wildlife: titan triggerfish, yellow triggerfish, sea snake, angelfish, white-eyed moray.
Depth: 5-25m
Intermediate
Swim-throughs
Nang Yuan
Details
2 minutes from Mae Haad pier, Koh Tao. 3 Rocks is visible from the surface — great for divers, freedivers, and snorkelers alike. Underwater — numerous boulders with incredible marine biodiversity. Excellent spot for buoyancy practice between boulders. Just below lies Pottery, made up of rocks of various shapes and sizes. Marine life: porcupinefish, blue-spotted stingray, angelfish, grey ray, seahorse, butterflyfish, whitetip reef shark.
Depth: 5-12m
Easy
2 min from pier
Snorkeling
Details
A secluded deep-water site. Currents possible. Located 5 minutes from Twins and Buoyancy World — with an experienced guide and good buoyancy/air control, you can visit two or three sites in one dive! No Name Pinnacle has abundant marine life without diver crowds. Wildlife: nudibranchs, sea snakes, titan triggerfish, white-eyed moray.
Depth: 14-30m
Advanced
Currents
Secluded
Details
A beautiful bay on Koh Tao's coast. Great for inexperienced divers to practice buoyancy. Explore the rocks to the south for abundant marine life in crevices. To the north you can find a sunken catamaran. Also home to an artificial coral reef project — reef balls (1-2m radius) and coral nurseries. Wildlife: blue-spotted stingray, white-eyed moray, and much more.
Depth: 5-16m
Easy
Catamaran
Reef Balls
Details
On the northeast of Koh Tao. Several dive options: in the bay — a shallow dive with plenty of corals. For experienced divers — dive near the rocks to the north at the bay exit, deeper with massive boulders. Wildlife: blue-spotted stingray, titan triggerfish, butterflyfish, and much more.
Depth: 5-18m
Easy
Multiple routes
Boulders
Details
East coast of Koh Tao. Numerous boulders form a rocky massif with many caves and swim-throughs. Suited for experienced divers who want to test their buoyancy control skills. Wildlife: blue-spotted stingray, titan triggerfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, and much more.
Depth: 5-16m
Intermediate-Advanced
Caves
Swim-throughs
Details
An artificial dive site created by Koh Tao's marine ecology department in 2008. Consists of five huge spheres made of metal structures with electricity — 'accelerated coral growth technology'. The electricity changes seawater pH, accelerating growth of corals, mollusks, oysters, and sea sponges 5x faster. The electricity is NOT dangerous to divers. Wildlife: lionfish, stonefish, and much more.
Depth: 8-13m
Easy
Artificial reef
Ecology
Details
Hidden around the corner from Aow Leuk — a secluded paradise. Very few Koh Tao dive schools visit this site, so you can avoid diver crowds. At 6-8 meters — huge boulders, deeper — abundant corals and marine life. A great alternative to Aow Leuk. Wildlife: lionfish, blue-spotted stingray, white-eyed moray, porcupinefish.
Depth: 5-18m
Easy-Intermediate
Secluded
Boulders
Details
Small but deep site 5-10 minutes from Mae Haad pier, Koh Tao. A huge rock surrounded by smaller pinnacles — easy to navigate. Abundant soft corals and marine life. Wildlife: barracuda, angelfish, butterflyfish, white-eyed moray, chimaera, whitetip reef shark.
Depth: 8-28m
Intermediate
5-10 min from pier
Soft corals
Details
Two sites on the southeast of Koh Tao. Hin Ngam — huge boulders with great marine diversity. Great dive plan: drop off at Hin Ngam and swim to Aow Leuk. Aow Leuk — shallow site, perfect for PADI Open Water Diver training. Between them — Suan Olan artificial reef. Wildlife: blue-spotted stingray, yellowtail barracuda, titan triggerfish, fusilier, parrotfish.
Depth: 4-18m
Easy
Two sites
OW training
Details
A completely unique dive site! Created by dive schools as a training ground with figures for buoyancy practice. Perfect for PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course. Figures: giant lizard, sea turtle, anemones, bamboo forest, shark, coral boat, octopus, ring, maze. Also an artificial reef project — a sanctuary for marine life. Wildlife: angelfish, grey ray, butterflyfish, whitetip reef shark.
Depth: 10-15m
Easy
Training
Sculptures
Details
A sunken 49-meter warship #742 from 1944, scuttled in 2011. Instantly became one of Koh Tao's most popular dive sites. At 30m depth — the ship with massive guns. Perfect for PADI Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver, and Wreck Diver courses. Tower top at 18m. Wildlife: blue-spotted stingray, sea turtle, white-eyed moray, porcupinefish.
Depth: 20-30m
Intermediate
Wreck 49m
Year 1944
Details
Yippon Island in Ang Thong Marine National Park. The most remote dive site from Samui, Phangan, and Tao — encountering another dive boat here is very rare. Pristine conditions and diverse marine life. In the center of the island — a cave swim-through across the entire island. Surrounded by numerous boulders and rock formations. Wildlife: blue-spotted stingray, lionfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, sea turtle.
Depth: 5-15m
Intermediate-Advanced
Ang Thong Park
Swim-through
Details