ABOUT KOH TAO

SCUBA DIVING PARADISE: EXPLORING KOH TAO

Koh Tao, also known as Turtle Island, is a picturesque tropical paradise located in the Gulf of Thailand. This small island, measuring just 21 square kilometers, has gained immense popularity among travelers and diving enthusiasts from around the world. Despite its modest size, Koh Tao offers an abundance of natural beauty, vibrant marine life, and a relaxed island atmosphere that captivates visitors.

The island’s name, Koh Tao, translates to “Turtle Island” in Thai, and it is not hard to see why. Diving and snorkeling are the primary attractions on the island, with numerous dive sites scattered along its shores. The crystal-clear turquoise waters provide excellent visibility, making it a diver’s paradise.

ABOUT KOH TAO | Scuba Shack Koh Tao

KOH TAO DIVESITES

Koh Tao boasts more than 25 dive sites, catering to divers of all levels of experience.

Whether you’re a novice diver or an experienced enthusiast, there is a dive site to suit your preferences. One of the most famous sites is Chumphon Pinnacle, a dramatic underwater pinnacle that descends to depths of over 30 meters. Here, divers can witness a bustling ecosystem with large schools of fish, including barracuda, batfish, and trevally. The pinnacle is also known for its stunning coral formations, with soft and hard corals providing a vibrant backdrop for marine life.

Koh Tao's Dive sites | Scuba Shack

Another popular dive site is Sail Rock, located between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. This towering rock formation rises from the depths and offers divers an incredible experience. The highlight of diving at Sail Rock is exploring its vertical chimney, which starts at around 18 meters and reaches up to the surface. Inside the chimney, divers can observe a wealth of marine life, including schools of fusiliers, yellowtail barracuda, and even occasional sightings of whale sharks.

Whale Shark on Koh Tao, Thailand
Whale Shark - Chumphon Pinnacle
Koh Tao Marine Life - Chumphon Pinnacle | Scuba Shack
Soft coral - Chumphon Pinnacle

For those looking to explore shallow waters teeming with marine biodiversity, Mango Bay is an excellent choice. This picturesque bay offers an array of colorful corals, tropical fish, and critters such as nudibranchs and seahorses. The calm and shallow conditions make it an ideal site for snorkelers as well.

Shark Island, located just off the southern coast of Koh Tao, is named after its shark-shaped outline. It’s a popular spot for divers seeking encounters with blacktip reef sharks, which can often be seen patrolling the reef. The dive site features a sloping coral reef with an abundance of hard and soft corals, as well as a variety of reef fish and other fascinating marine species.

Koh Tao’s dive sites are not only known for their natural beauty but also for the island’s well-established diving infrastructure. Scuba Shack offers a range of courses and certifications, ensuring that divers of all levels can explore these remarkable underwater wonders safely.

Other notable dive sites around Koh Tao include Japanese Gardens, Twins, White Rock, and Hin Wong Pinnacle. Each site offers unique underwater landscapes, ranging from coral gardens to rocky outcrops and even underwater caves.

KOH TAO'S MARINE LIFE

Surrounded by beautiful coral reefs, there is some amazing marine life to be seen around Koh Tao. You are likely to see angel fish, butterfly fish, sting ray, moray eel and clown fish in our beautiful coral reefs.

All of the pictures you see on our website were taken around Koh Tao. To see some amazing videos of diving around Koh Tao, check out our YouTube Channel.

Koh tao's Marine Life | Scuba Shack
Butterfly Fish | Scuba Shack, Koh Tao, Thailand
Anemonefish | Scuba Shack, Koh Tao, Thailand

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY ABOUT US