KOH
TAO DIVE SITES
The
Gulf Of Thailand and the waters around Koh Tao are unique,
offering over 20 dive sites, with the majority close
the island. The close proximity of these sites, combined
with their depths, allows us to offer divers variety
for each trip.
Diving
Highlights
Chumphon Pinnacle |
Southwest Pinnacle |
Shark Island |
White Rock | Green
Rock | Nang
Yuan
CHUMPHON
PINNACLE
Northwest of Koh Tao, Chumphon Pinnacle is widely regarded
as one of the Gulf's premier dive sites. The
site itself is comprises of one huge main granite pinnacle
and a series of smaller pinnacles rising from the bottom
at 36m to within 14m of the surface.
On
the main part of the site divers can expect to encounter
Batfish, Trevally, large Groupers, as well as huge shoals
of Fusiliers and Rabbit fish. Less common, but still
available to see regularly are the Spanish Mackerel
and some Paddlefin Trigger fish.
For
those with keen eyes it is also possible to see Scorpionfish
lazing on the rocks. Chumphon pinnacle also plays host
to seasonal visits by Whale Sharks and their attendant
Cobias and Remoras, plus the occasional Manta. A
memorable experience for every diver!
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SOUTH
WEST PINNACLE
South-west of Koh Tao, this site is also widely acclaimed
as another of the Gulf's premier diving destinations,
with depths ranging from 30m upwards. The series of
seven pinnacles form an underwater mountain range, with
the largest peak rising to within 5m of the surface.
Like Chumphon, this site features a carpet of anemones
on the upper levels with an abundance of corals and
large sea fans. Impressive
Barracuda over a meter in length can be seen patiently
waiting whilst tiny Cleaning Wrasse perform their underwater
valet service.
To
the south-east of the main site lies a smaller pinnacle,
which is home to two resident, if somewhat shy Leopard
sharks.
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SHARK
ISLAND
One of the most varied dive sites around Koh Tao in
terms of marine life, Shark Island is one place that
you'll definitely wish to return to. 300m
southeast of Koh Tao this small, uninhabited, granite
peak rises clear of the water from a sandy bottom at
20m.Divers can enjoy an enormous variety of hard, encrusting
corals and a similar variety of sea fans and whip corals.
The
renowned "fish junction"
off the northern end of the site provides good photographic
opportunities. Shark Island occasionally plays host
to visiting Reef and Leopard sharks.
The more usual residents include Blue Spotted Rays,
Scribbled Filefish, Starry Pufferfish, and Titan Triggerfish
that sometimes like nibbling the fins of visiting divers
who get a little too close to their nesting sites!
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WHITE
ROCK
White Rock boasts a large coral garden situated between
two distinct granite pinnacles to the north and south
sides of the site, and a vast array of both daytime
and nocturnal inhabitants. With
a depth range of 26m to 5m, and an average depth of
12m, White Rock is suited to everyone's experience level.
White
Eye Morays and Blue Spotted Rays are commonly sighted,
as is the Koh Tao legend , "Trevor"
the Triggerfish, who has been the boss of White Rock
for many years..!!
Several
species of Barracuda routinely visit here, particularly
impressive to see them hunting on night dives when they
will actually follow divers using the torch beams to
spot their dinner.
Night
dives also unveil many different kinds of Feather Stars,
hunting Cone Shells and feeding Stingrays, in addition
to Parrot fish and Rabbit fish!
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GREEN
ROCK
One of the outlying dive sites to the north of Koh Nang
Yuan island; Green Rock has its own special attractions
for divers in the form of many varied swim throughs
and the lunar like landscape created by nesting Yellow
Margin Triggerfish.
With
a depth range of 3m to 30m most divers will find this
site within their capabilities. The insides of the caverns
and the undersides of outcroppings are home to many
brightly colored soft corals and sponges, while the
outer parts of the site play host to shoals of electric
Blue Damsel fish, Tube Anemones with tiny translucent
shrimps (for those with keen eyesight) Emperors, Angel
fish and the occasional Turtle.
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KOH
NANG YUAN
Nestled in a bay between the three islands of Koh Nang
Yuan, Twins consists of two main pinnacles, and a smaller,
deeper "little brother". A perfect site for both training
activities, and a leisurely fun dive, the pinnacles
range in depth from 5m to 18m, and are surrounded by
soft white sand dotted with the unusual symbiotic relationships
of Goby fish and their blind-shrimp housemates.
Twins
offers divers the chance to see the larger groupers
normally only spotted at depth on the more remote dive
sites. Blue-Ringed angelfish and the striking yellow
Raccoon Butterfly fish are abundant, along with a host
of varied Parrotfish and wrasse. Combined with green,
blue, and red anemones this is one of the islands most
colorful dive sites.
Venture
south a short distance across the sand to encounter
"Mork" and "Mindy", a friendly pair of the uncommon
Saddleback Clownfish, then back to the East pinnacle
for the best safety stop on the island with a school
of around 500 curious, small Yellowtail Barracuda.
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