IDC Koh Tao

IDC Koh Tao

IDC PADI Instructor Course in Koh Tao at the best rates in the world. IDC PADI Instructor Course in Koh Tao in the warm, turquoise, tropical waters of this Island in the Gulf of Thailand, dive at the Top 20 Dive Sites in Koh Tao. Most of the scuba diving sites are easier accessible via a Dive Boat. For scuba diving trips and Scuba Diving Training Courses, email quotes@ksmart.co.za, WhatsApp 079 895 5048, or Tel (+66) 84 047 2331.

4 Star Hotels and Resorts Koh Tao ★★★★☆

All dive trips departs daily by boat from the Mae Haad Pier. We will pick you up at your resort. Popular 4 star dive resorts in Koh Tao include Sai Daeng Resort Koh Tao, Koh Tao Montra Resort (4 star resort), The Tarna Align Resort (4 star resort), Haad Tien Beach Resort (4 star resort), Koh Tao Cabana Resort (4 star resort), Monkey Flower Villas (4 star resort), Simple Life Cliff View Resort, Mountain Reef Beach Resort, Tanote Villa Hill, and many more.

3 Star Hotels and Koh Tao ★★★☆☆

All dive trips departs daily by boat from the Mae Haad Pier. We will pick you up at your resort. Popular 3 star dive resorts in Koh Tao include Nangyuan Island Dive Resort (3 star resort), Ban's Diving Resort (3 star resort), Coral Grand Resort (3 star resort), Ko Tao Resort (3 star resort), Pinnacle Koh Tao Resort (3 star resort), Assava Dive Resort (3 star resort), Seashell Resort Koh Tao (3 star resort), Koh Tao Simple Life Resort (3 star resort), Big Fish Beach Resort (3 star resort), Queen Resort Koh Tao (3 star resort), Montalay Beach Resort (3 star resort), Coral View Resort (3 star resort), Charm Churee Villa (3 star resort), Clear View Resort (3 star resort), Ao Muong Beach Resort Koh Tao (3 star resort), and many more.

Student Accommodation Koh Tao ★☆☆☆☆

Family Tanote Bay Resort (2 star resort), Baan Talay (2 star resort), Carabao Dive Resort (2 star resort), Goodtime 4P Resort,

Dive Trips Koh Tao

Trips to Dive Sites in Koh Tao are inclusive of Scuba Gear, Beach Landing Fees, Boat Rides, Refreshments, Bottled Water, and Lunch. Private Scuba Tours also include a Private Boat and a qualified PADI Divemaster.

Location; Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Daily Dive Trips from Mae Haad Pier

Dive Trips in Koh Tao meet daily at the Mae Haad Pier. Join our Dive Trips for an unforgettable Dive Sites Experience with Sea Turtles, Abundant Marine Life, Colourful Corals, and Turquoise Waters.

Our Dive Trips in Koh Tao start at Mae Haad Pier where we will depart with a diving boat with a trip around the island. The Mae Haad Pier is also known as the "Ferry Pier", or the "Koh Tao Harbour". This is the pier were you first set foot on Koh Tao.

Private Dive Trips have their own private boat, a qualified PADI Divemaster, and have the freedom to dive at less populated diving sites around Koh Tao.

The shipwreck is an interesting dive site in Mae Haad Bay, which sank in 1962 - located at the south end of the bay. There are generally lots of fish here and you may be accompanied by a huge school of fusiliers as well as the blue spotted rays and sweetlips hiding about the place.

Mae Haad Bay is the port town where all piers are located, and also where the government offices are, the police station, post office, health centre, banks, school, hospital and temple. Mae Haad Bay is the hub for Thai Shopping and Souvenirs.

At Mae Haad Bay you will find many dive shops, where you can buy and hire everything from masks and fins for snorkelling, to the latest scuba diving gear. Also find local fresh market shops where you can find tropical fruit and local ingredients.

A small brick beach road, no cars, just a few bikes, will take you to Sairee Beach, while a walkway along the southwestern coast will lead to Jansom Bay and Sai Nuan Beach.

IDC Koh Tao Mae Haad Pier; 3RMF+WP Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

PADI Open Water, PADI Divemaster, to PADI IDC Instructor Courses in Koh Tao

Koh Tao is the number one scuba diving site in the world to get your PADI. Dive Sites training standards are extremely high on Koh Tao with some of the world's most experienced PADI Course Directors, Divemasters and Instructors.

Koh Tao has over 70 Diving Shops and Schools, here are just a few Buddha View Dive Resort, Roctopus, Sairee Cottage Diving Resort, DJL, Ocean Republic, Crystal Dive Koh Tao, Big Blue Diving Koh Tao, Ban's Diving, Coral Grand, Coral Junction, Asia Divers, Siam Scuba PADI 5 Star Dive Center, Phoenix Divers, Mojo Divers, New Heaven, Coral Grand Divers PADI 5 Star Resort, Koh Tao Divers, Alvaro Diving Courses Koh Tao, Simple Life Divers, Scuba Junction, Seashell Divers, and many more.

PADI IDC Scuba Diving Courses in Koh Tao

The PADI IDC Diving Courses in Koh Tao provide you with the opportunity for a complete change of lifestyle and a new career in Dive Sites at Dive Resorts, Cruise Ships, and Liveaboard Jobs across the world. Koh Tao offers the highest level of training for a PADI Dive Instructor, at the most affordable rate in the world. The PADI Instructor Development Course (PADI IDC) is made up of two parts. The Assistant Instructor course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor program. Most dive professionals complete the entire IDC and go on to attend an Instructor Examination, which is the final step to earn a PADI Instructor certification.

Scuba Diving Courses Today and Dive Tomorrow

Do a PADI Resort Course the previous day (±4 hours) which allows you to snorkel and scuba dive the following day with a qualified PADI Divemaster. You can condense or expand your Private Scuba Trip with one, or many Dive Sites Sites in Koh Tao.

There are over 70 Scuba Diving Tour Operators in Koh Tao

There are over 70 scuba diving companies which operate Dive Trips in Koh Tao, they all cost more or less the same and provide the same scuba diving trips, to the same five  scuba diving sites, namely Koh Nang Yuan, Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay, Aow Leuk, and Shark Bay. These five scuba diving sites are not the best, but rather the most convenient for an “Dive Trip Around the Island”.

These daily Dive Trips all depart from Mae Haad Pier (the Ferry Harbour and Pier).

IDC Koh Tao - Shark Bay is the only dive site in Koh Tao where you can find turtles (Thian Og Bay) ★★★★★

Where there are friendly sharks, you will find turtles. Shark Bay is the only dive site in Koh Tao where you can find turtles every day. Shark Bay is a shark nursery where young sharks can be seen at certain times of the year. There are larger sharks, and to see them you need to swim out a few hundred meters where it drops down deeper to three to four meters. Shark Bay is also habitat for Black Tip Reef Sharks, they are harmless.

Shark Bay is also a popular scuba diving site to spot Sea Turtles. Also find Green Turtles as well, a few of them are huge and are more than a meter long. These Sea Turtles are friendly and not afraid of humans and can sometimes swim very close to you. Please be sure to not touch them as bacteria on our skin can greatly affect their health and can cause them harm.

Shark Bay is a private bay with a beautiful beach, tall coconut trees, and fine white sand - an entrance fee is charged. Alternative you can access the bay with boat or kayak. Shark Bay it is a popular scuba diving site at 6 to 12 feet from the sea bed.

IDC Koh Tao Shark Bay; 3R6J+F3 Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Aow Leuk Bay ★★★★★

Aow Leuk Bay (Ao Leuk Bay) is a Dive Site on the southeast slope of Koh Tao with crystal clear water with soft and hard corals, sea turtles, hundreds of tropical fish, all different colors, shapes and sizes. Some even taking the appearance of an underwater rainbow as they swam by.

“Aow Leuk” is named for its deep water, which makes it good for scuba diving site - even at very low tide. With Shark Island in the background, Aow Leuk is one of the most popular sites for snorkelling and diving and is among the most beautiful places on Koh Tao.

Aow Leuk Bay has an abundance of marine life. The large sandy sea floor makes it ideal for swimming and lounging in the water and it is used a lot for scuba diver training and certification. The reef has a good variety of corals including, Stag Horn, Brain and large formations of Star corals, amongst the corals you will find brightly colored Christmas tree worms.

Twice a year at Aow Leuk, baby blacktip reef sharks can be seen in the shallows here, a perfect nursery environment for Blacktip Sharks. The adult Blacktip Sharks are found a further 500 metres from the beach, off the north shore. Hin Ngam Bay is about 600 meters down the beach.

Hin Ngam Bay is a beautiful spot for snorkelling and scuba diving with easy, calm conditions for most of the year. This shallow dive site is great for student divers to practice their skills.

IDC Koh Tao Aow Leuk Bay; 3RCQ+WM Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Hin Wong Bay ★★★☆☆

Hin Wong Bay is a Dive Site in Koh Tao and is one of the best scuba diving site on the north-eastern coast of Koh Tao, and part of a large bay area. Hin Wong Pinnacle with its stunning blue soft corals and crystal clear waters at 26 meters.

Hin Wong Bay has several underwater pinnacles covered in fertile coral, anemones and many kinds of fish. Due to the rocky formations of Hin Wong Bay, it is difficult to walk around, so it’s good idea to rent a kayak to get around.

Hin Wong Bay has an abundant marine life and is known for its plentiful and colorful schools of hundreds, if not thousands, tropical fish, including shoals of sardines. These sites also offer the chance of encountering Banded Sea Snakes, Unicorn Surgeon fish, Parrot fish and the occasional passing Black Tip Reef Shark.

Hin Wong Bay is a quiet and remote scuba diving site, the beach is surrounded by boulders, and the easiest to get there is by boat - it is about an hour’s hike from Sairee (the main beach next to the ferry pier).

You can easily spend an entire day at Hin Wong Bay snorkeling and scuba diving in the bay.

IDC Koh Tao Hin Wong Bay; 4R2X+RQ Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Mango Bay ★★★★★

Mango Bay (Aow Muang) is a Dive Site on the north coast of Koh Tao and is one of the top diving sites on Koh Tao with stunning visibility. Mango Bay is located with a magnificent view of what is probably Koh Tao's most beautiful bay. Mango Bay is a popular bay for beginner level scuba diver training.

Mango Bay is named after the many mango trees which were once here. Mango Bay is a large bay with a small beach and a coral reef on either side. Often the water is calm and clear, the sandy seafloor giving the water a beautiful turquoise hue.

The Mango Bay landscape consists of high rocky cliffs and lush green hillsides rising up from the water's edge and offering breathtaking views of the gulf to the north of Koh Tao.

The easiest way to get to Mango Bay is by boat, though you can take a scooter, or take the long walk via concrete road and through the forest. Due to the good conditions and the flat sandy seafloor. Mango Bay offers spectacular viewpoints on top of mountains and rocky outcrops.

IDC Koh Tao Mango Bay; 4RFP+5G Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Nang Yuan Island ★★★★★

Nang Yuan Island is a Dive Site just off the west coast of Koh Tao at a picture perfect Nang Yuan Private Island. Nang Yuan Island is one of the most well-known published images of Koh Tao.

Koh Nang Yuan (Nangyuan) is made up of three small islands connected by a sand bar, and is said to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Koh Nang Yuan is a popular photographed featuring Koh Tao in books and postcards.

Upon disembarking from our boat, and entrance fee of 100 Baht is collected, and every plastic water bottle is removed and discarded.

Koh Nang is said to be one of the most beautiful snorkeling and scuba diving islands in the world.

Koh Nang Yuan has some great snorkeling and diving sites and it’s popular scuba diving site. Koh Nang Yuan has five snorkeling and scuba diving sites around the island, namely White Rock, Nang Yuan Pinnacle (aka Red Rock), Green Rock, Japanese Gardens, and Twin Peaks. The Japanese Gardens seems to be the most popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.


Koh Nang Yuan - Japanese Garden
Japanese Gardens is a popular dive site and another good choice for beginner divers. Relax on the white sandy beach, or hike to the top for an iconic and panoramic view. Japanese Gardens enjoys reef across the whole bay from paddling depth to around 14 meters. Japanese Gardens also a small wreck of an old dive boat, interesting to explore and a mere nearly meter deep. It sits directly opposite Twins, separated only by the sand bar which joins the two peaks of Koh Nangyuan. Take a 30 minute hike to the hilltop for a breath-taking panoramic view of Koh Tao.

Koh Nang Yuan - Green Rock
On the coast of Koh Nangyuan, this Green Rock is a 15 minute boat ride. Green Rock, Koh Tao is a popular dive site. An exciting Koh Tao dive site of granite boulders and swim through. The main pinnacle almost breaks the surface dropping to depths of around 27 meters. This is a good place to see green and Hawksbill turtles. Green Rock makes an interesting night-dive. The Triggerfish secure themselves in the smaller crevices for the night and the Parrotfish sleep in their cocoons while the nocturnal community comes to life.

Koh Nang Yuan - Nang Yuan Pinnacle
Nang Yuan Pinnacle is located on the Northwest side between Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao Island just North from Japanese Gardens. This dive is started at a small pinnacle sitting just below the surface which descends to 22 m, on which can be found numerous Eels, Rays, Green or a Hawksbill Turtle.

There is a daily boat service from Koh Tao to Koh Nang Yuan which departs from the Lomprayah Pier at Mae Haad Bay. You can also hire a Longtail Boat from any beach on Koh Tao. “All Around Island” boat trips will also visit Koh Nang Yuan.

IDC Koh Tao Nang Yuan Island: Nang Yuan Island, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Tanote Bay ★★★★★

Tanote Bay is a Dive Site in Koh Tao that is the most accessible with a scooter, effortless with a boat trip, and is a stunning snorkeling and scuba destination.

Tonate Bay has great variety of hard and soft corals, and some fairly large fish that can be seen just a few steps into the water - Angelfish, Butterfly fish, Groupers, Anemone fish, Blue Spotted Ribbontail Stingrays, and sometimes the occasional Hawksbill Turtle.

Diving at Tanote Bay compares to a huge tropical aquarium with stunning visibility. The reef slopes from around 2 meters below sea level to around 18 meters. The scuba diving area has a boulder in the middle of the bay which is well known for rock jumping. Tanote Bay is also a popular scuba diving site for PADI, SSI, and NAUI Dive Sites Training and Certification. Surrounding the boulder in the bay, you will find an abundance of sea live.

Tanote Bay is located on the east coast of Koh Tao with luxury hotels, restaurants, bars, including a Thai Massage Spa. Tanote Bay is easy accessible by shooter on a tarred road winding over the mountainous area, surrounded by verdant high hills, large boulders, and offers stunning panoramic viewpoints. Kayaks and Longtail Boats are for rent, and from here you can go to the pristine bay of Laem Thian - which is inaccessible by car.

Laem Thian Pinnacle is excellent for exploring a series of connected canyons. Laem Thian Pinnacle also offer the chance of encountering Banded Sea Snakes, Unicorn Surgeon fish, Parrot fish and the occasional passing Black Tip Reef Shark.

IDC Koh Tao Tanote Bay; 3RMX+JH Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Sairee Beach ★★★☆☆

Sairee Beach is Dive Sites on the west coast Koh Tao with a long white beach. Sairee Beach has a coral reef in shallow waters just 30 meters from the shore that is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving,

Sairee Beach is the most popular and busiest beach on Koh Tao on the west coast, and the surrounding area offers a wide range and variety of snorkeling and scuba diving shops, restaurants, cafes, accommodation, sunset bars, and with a variety of nightlife.

Sairee Beach is adjacent to Mae Haad Bay and is the “main beach” in Koh Tai and stretches 1.8km up the west coast.

IDC Koh Tao Sairee Beach; 4R3G+PR Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Chalok Baan Kao Bay ★★★☆☆

Chalok Baan Kao Bay is a Dive Site in Koh in a peaceful tropical paradise with a long stretch of white sand and many holiday resorts, home to some of the bluest waters in the south coast, and near many snorkeling and scuba diving resorts and shops in Koh Tao – including the Buddha View PADI Dive Resort.

The bay itself doesn’t offer much coral reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving, but there are some good spots within walking distance such as Freedom Beach, Cape June Juea, and Buddha Rock.

You can also walk across to Shark Bay through a few resorts that connect both bays. Chalok Baan Kao Bay is very shallow with white sand and is probably the safest beach for children to snorkel. Chalok Baan Kao Bay is a very popular, and third largest beach on Koh Tao.

Chalok Baan is home to the Buddha View Dive Resort, a prominent PADI IDC Dive Sites Instructor’s School, and with many snorkelling and dive shops, family resorts, restaurants, bars, travel agencies, pharmacies, and a 7-Eleven. On a clear day in Koh Tao, Chalok Baan Kao Bay looks out to Koh Phangan – home to the best Full Moon Parties in Thailand.

IDC Koh Tao Chalok Baan Kao Bay; 3R8G+R2 Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Laem Thian ★★★☆☆

Laem Thian is a Dive Site in Koh Tao at the most eastern point of Koh Tao. Laem Thian is a great all day trip for hiking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The area offers excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, and you will see a few fish that aren’t commonly seen around Koh Tao such as Parrot Fish and Unicorn Fish.

Schools of Butterfly Fish and a few Bat Fish are often seen, as are giant grouper, and black tip reef sharks. Interesting rock formations underwater create tunnels for tech scuba diving.

Laem Thian is a rocky outcrop with a small beach on the south side, and it was here in 2009 after a ten year absence that turtles returned to Koh Tao to lay their eggs.

Laem Thian is a quiet and remote bay on the east side of Koh Tao, and the only resort in Laem Thian closed in 2011 - remember to take your own refreshments and water.

IDC Koh Tao Laem Thian; 3VQ2+R3 Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Lang Khai Bay ★★★☆☆

Lang Khai Bay is a Dive Site on the south-east coast of Koh Tao. Lang Khai Bay itself is the smaller bay and one of the best hidden and less known snorkeling and scuba diving sites in Koh Tao.

Lang Khai Bay has its small beach in front of a valley in between 2 high hills. There are several large boulders covered with various kinds of unspoiled new and older corals. The best snorkeling point is on the north side, and for the scuba divers the steeper sea floor at a depth of five to ten metres.

Lang Khai Bay has a resort at the end of the road built on the cliff that provide an easy walkway down to King Kong Rock.

IDC Koh Tao Lang Khai Bay; 3RHW+PP Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Shark Island ★★★☆☆

Shark Island is a Dive Site about 800 meters south Koh Tao. Shark Island boast with excellent scuba diving scenery - particularly around the northwest point where shallow water can be found. Shark Island is steeper elsewhere, the water deeper, so it’s also ideal for scuba diving.

Shark Island offers a huge variety of corals, sea whips and Gorgonian Sea Fans covering the multiple pinnacles. Some of the most usual marine life includes Blue Spotted Sting Rays, Scribbled Filefish, Harlequin Sweetlips, Starry Pufferfish, various Groupers and Titan Triggerfish that sometimes like nibbling the fins of divers who get too close to their nesting site.

You can hire a boat to get to Shark Island, or you can rent a kayak from Aow Leuk or Sai Daeng Beach - it only takes about 15 minutes via kayak. Be aware of strong currents in the channel between the islands.

IDC Koh Tao Shark Island; 3R6V+PV Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Sai Daeng ★★★☆☆

Sai Daeng is a Dive Site on the south coast of Koh with crystal clear waters, and a sublime view of Shark Island. Sai Daeng Beach is also the closest bay to Shark Island, taking just 10 minutes to get there.

Sai Daeng is popular destination to see the ‘Golden Shark Island’ – a phenomenon which occasionally happens just before sunset depending on weather.

Scuba Divers at Sai Daeng you may find Blacktip Reef Sharks or Sea Turtles that live nearby around Thian Og Bay, Taa Som Bay and Sai Daeng Beach. Scuba diving sites are on ether end of the peninsular (sea point) where there are various kinds of coral combined with rocks.

The nearby area has round shaped rocks underwater with many corals that make it a popular snorkeling and scuba diving spot - though be careful of the current around the cape peninsular. The roads to this beach have been blocked, so visitors must pass through either one of the two resorts. Visitors are welcome and there is no charge.

IDC Koh Tao Sai Daeng; 3R8Q+7R Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Freedom Beach ★★★☆☆

Freedom Beach is a Dive Site south coast of Koh Tao with water crystal clear water. Freedom Beach is a small, very quiet and private beach with no obvious buildings - apart from one wooden restaurant to the side. The beach itself has fine white sand and is fairly shaded with trees.

There is a shallow coral reef not too far out. If you swim around the cape, schools of fish can often be found due to the constant water movement here. Walking to the cape and Buddha Rock, you will pass Taa Toh Lek Beach - a tiny, isolated beach surrounded by jungle.

Also visit the amazing mountaintop viewpoint nearby - it takes about 15 minutes to climb the hill. You can also visit a nearby beach called Taa Toh Yai by using the concrete walkway along the coast. On a low tide, you can even continue walking to Chalok Baan Kao Bay.

IDC Koh Tao Freedom Beach; 3R6H+F7 Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - June Juea Bay ★★★☆☆

June Juea Bay is a Dive Site n the north side of Koh Tao at a small remote bay and is the ideal beach to view the sunset.

There are a few resorts at June Juea Bay, two small bungalows, and a newly opened luxury hotel.

June Juea Bay can be accessed via a very steep concrete road, or you can reach it walking twenty minutes along the shore from Chalok Baan Kao and Saan Jao Beach.

There is not much space on the small sandy areas between the rocks and trees, but the crystal clear water, white sand and the idyllic atmosphere a great haven for snorkelling and scuba diving.

IDC Koh Tao June Juea Bay; 3R89+WW Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Sai Nuan Beach ★★★☆☆

Sai Nuan Beach is a Dive Site on the south-west of Koh Tao Sai Nuan Beach has an unspoiled beach of fine white sand, palm trees, and shallow turquoise water. Snorkeling is also good here and the small bays are quite protected.

Swim out to groups of boulders which enclose Sai Nuan Beach. Sai Nuan Beach is home to orange spine unicornfish, batfish, harlequin sweetlips, giant grouper, schools of yellowtail barracuda, threadfin butterflyfish and trevally.

Green turtles have also been spotted at Sai Nuan Beach.

IDC Koh Tao Sai Nuan Beach; 3RF8+MH Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

IDC Koh Tao - Jansom Bay ★★★☆☆

Jansom Bay is a Dive Site just down from Mae Haad Pier on the West Coast of Koh Tao. Jansom Bay is a small bay with a small sandy beach and sea floor.

At Jansom Bay, you may find a few different kinds of marine life than usual, such as the Yellow Box Fish, Sweet Lips, Titan Trigger Fish, Blue Spotted Stingray, Porcupine Puffer Fish, and even an octopus.

Jansom Bay is private beach and visitors will be charged 200 Baht per person entrance fee. To access the beach, you will have to walk through Charm Churee Villa.

IDC Koh Tao Jansom Bay; 3RH8+XW Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Diving Trips Koh Tao - Sail Rock (‘Hin Bai’ in Thai) ★★★★★

Sail Rock is the premier scuba diving site near Koh Tao, is roughly half way between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, in the Gulf of Thailand, situated an hour and a half boat ride from Koh Tao.

The rock at Sail Rock boulders out of the water, forming a landmark in the middle of the sea, and the dive site has a maximum depth of over 40 meters. The actual rock wall drop down to below 20 meters, where it meets sand that gradually banks away.

A second large rock that doesn’t reach the surface on the south east of the dive site that drops down into the sand at more than 30 meters. Several smaller scattered rocks surround the main rock.

Sail Rock is renown for regular sightings of whale sharks and giant baracuda, plus the experience of ascending inside a chimney, this dive site is a favourite for experienced and technical divers.

Sail Rock is a haven for marine life. Huge schools of Chevron Barracuda, Travelly, Queenfish, Great Barracudas, Fin Batfish, Giant Grouper, and of course during season Whale Sharks often feed here. Sail Rock also offers plenty for macro enthusiasts including shrimps, crabs and Nudibranch.

Samran Pinnacles
The Samran Pinnacles set of three submerged rocky pinnacles located just off Sail Rock (between Koh Tao & Koh Phangan) and can only be dived at certain times of the year, generally between May and September. The formation rises from the ocean floor at 30 meters up to a minimum depth of 13 meters. The rocks are covered in soft corals, sponges and a wealth of colorful anemones. Just off the rocks hanging in the mild to strong currents you will find large Groupers, Great Barracuda and shoals of Big Eye Jacks.

South West Pinnacle
The South West Pinnacle are about 13 km southwest of Koh Tao with depths ranging from 30 meters upward. The South West Pinnacle a series of seven pinnacles form an underwater mountain range, with the largest peaks rising at 5 meters below the surface, covered with sea anemones. Along the lower edges of the site is an abundance of whip coral and gardens of large sea fans. Impressive Barracudas over a meter long can be seen, as well as massive Groupers, schools of black spotted Snappers, Emperors, Sweetlips and Batfish. Not to forget that Manta Rays and Whale sharks as well as Leopard Sharks may also pass by.

Our Sail Rock day trips are extremely popular with advanced certified divers.

IDC Koh Tao Sail Rock; WXWR+86 Ko Pha-ngan Sub-district, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Dive Sites Koh Tao - Chumphon Pinnacle ★★★★★

Chumphon Pinnacle (Chumporn Pinnacle) is the best dive site near Koh Tao after Sail Rock, and probably the most famous dive site of Koh Tao - 11km northwest of Ko Tao. The pinnacle starts at 12 meters and Maximum depth is 35 meters. This superb dive site is more suitable for advanced divers.

Chumphon Pinnacle is only 45 minutes away from Sairee beach in Koh Tao, the dive site is often crowded but offers a large variety and abundant marine life with very good visibility most of the time.

One main huge granite pinnacle and a series of smaller ones rising from the bottom at 36 m to within 14 m of the surface, covered with anemones and their attendant Pink Clown Fishes. Large shoals of Great and Cheveron Barracuda, schools of Trevally, Batfish and large Groupers are commonly spotted.

You may also spot a Whale Shark from February to May, as well as September. You may also spot a juvenile Bull Sharks. Manta Rays are also occasional visitors to Chumphon Pinnacle.

IDC Koh Tao Chumphon Pinnacle; 5QFH+3V Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Dive Sites Koh Tao - White Rock ★★★★★

White Rock is one of the most visited dive sites of Koh Tao, because it is only 10 minutes by boat from Sairee Beach and the Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao towards Nang Yuan Island.

White Rock is also one of the largest diving sites of Koh Tao. With a depth range of 26 m to 5 m, it is suitable for all scuba diving levels, including Open Water One.. The White Rock dive site provides a variety of habitats for different marine life as it ranges from one meter to twenty meters deep.

White Rock boasts a large coral garden situated between two distinct granite pinnacles to the north and south side and a vast array of bottom day time and nocturnal inhabitants.

White Rock offers a wide range of marine life such as Sea Turtles, Nudibranchs, Blue Spotted Stingrays, White Eyed Moray, Barracudas, Angel Fish, and Moray Eels are commonly sighted, as well as the infamous Trigger Fish. White Rock also displays a wide variety of soft and hard coral.

White Rock is particularly popular for night dives, and for the 4th PADI Open Water dive. Night diving also unveils many different kinds of Feather Stars, hunting Cone Shell, feeding Sting Rays, Black Spotted Porcupine fish, sleeping Parrot fish and Monocle Beam fish. You may also be lucky enough to spot a Hawksbill Turtle.

IDC Koh Tao White Rock; 4R67+2J Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Diving with Turtles in Koh Tao - “Turtle Island”

Diving with Turtles in Koh Tao in its natural turtle habitat. Koh Tao, or “Turtle Island”, is only accessable via daily ferries from Koh Phangan and Koh Samui - there are a couple of ferry trips every day.  Koh Tao is also shaped like a turtle when viewed from Koh Phangan. Dive Sites in Koh Tao usually start at the Mae Haad Pier (Ferry Harbour) at around 09h30. Sea Turtles have have mostly been seen nearby Shark Bay, Taa Som Bay and Sai Daeng Beach.

Please Help to Preserve the stunning Coral Reefs in Koh Tao

Please do not touch, step, or break the corals reefs. The corals reefs take 100's of year to grow. Koh Tao also have a anti-plastic policy, and divers volunteer frequently to collect and dispose any plastic that they have found.

Koh Tao’s natural beauty both above and below the water, with its stunning coral reefs and abundant marine life in clear, warm water, bring thousands of visitors here each year making it an unforgettable site for Dive Sites, Scuba Divers, and holiday travellers alike.

Koh Tao has developed in many ways, and with its thriving Snorkel and Dive Sites industry, is now one of the leading places in the world to obtain your PADI Dive Sites Certifications.