Diving Mabul & Kapalai Islands Borneo
Scuba Diving in Pattaya Thailand | A Complete Guide
DIVING IN KOH TAO
A PLACE WITH A Deep Past and Mystical Future
This is Koh Tao a Diving Mecca!
The 'Diving Mecca' of Thailand, Often top of the list along with Similan Liveaboard trips and diving in Pattaya, Koh Tao is responsible for more dive certification per year than anywhere else in the world combined!
History of Tao Islands Deep Past
It hasn't always been sunshine and scuba diving Koh Tao. Largely uninhabited except for fishermen occasionally taking shelter between storms, Koh Tao became a political prison in 1943 with more than 100 prisoners transferred from Ko Tarutao. In 1944 the prisoners were pardoned and released to the mainland where they were met with bowls of food and wishes of good luck from local residents.Some years passed again on Koh Tao until two brothers made their way there to begin a life for themselves. Followed by their families later. Some say that the abundance of sea turtles nesting at Koh Tao gave it its name of Turtle Island. Another version of events states it was due to its shape when viewed from Ko Pha Ngan. Either way, the turtles have largely moved elsewhere as tourism has grown. Western travellers first stumbled on Ko Tao in the 1980s, leading to the first rickety bamboo bungalows and the islands tourism which scuba diving Koh Tao is now based around.
Koh Tao, The Uncertain Future
The future is uncertain for Koh Tao. Like many of the best dive location in Thailand or across the world even, the islands itself as well as its reefs have seen incredible numbers of divers everyday for many years. At any rate, this can't continue.As one of the world’s 10 most amazing diving destinations. The coral reef of Koh Tao exhibits abundant diversity and beauty, However, the Island has been rapidly developed non-stop, causing unwise business or activities being created, such as those releasing waste into the sea, run off from the hill to the coral reefs, killing or breaking coral, throwing anchors on coral reef and so on. All affect its marine ecosystem negatively.
Therefore, Save Koh Tao was established by the koh Tao community back in 2000 aiming to raise awareness, research, monitor coral and endangered species along with setting up proper rules and regulations in order to manage our marine natural resources used in its tourism industry.
Where is Koh Tao Island?
Koh Tao or "Turtle Island" lies 2hrs from the Mainland near Chumphon and every year, thousands of scuba divers and travellers alike flock here to experience the beautiful deep blue waters. On one hand when conditions are good, diving in Koh Tao offers some of the clearest waters, best aquatic life and amazing underwater photography opportunity in Thailand. On the other hand if you are an experienced season dive traveller who has (for use of a better word) "Been around a bit" The usual everyday dive experience wont blow your socks off. While this may be true, if you still love diving because its diving and not because of 50+m viz whale sharks, manta, hammerheads etc you'll find no bigger ,better dive community in which to immerse yourself in.
THe Best Koh Tao Dive Sites
Chumphon Pinnacle | Southwest Pinnacle | Shark Rock | Sail Rock | Twins | Green Rock
Chumphon Pinnacle
When you ask people, ' what Is the best dive you have had in Thailand?' Chumphon Pinnacle is one of the dive sites in gulf of Thailand that is most remembered! The dive site is centred around a huge granite pinnacle that starts about 15m below the surface and drops off way below 30m. There are also many smaller pinnacles covered in corals and abundant in life as well but lack the centerpiece pinnacles enormous size.As your descending the line diving to the west side, you can find a narrow gorge known to filled with bat fish on a regular basis, small nudibranch and other micro lifeline the nooks and crannies around here. To Northeast are two small pinnacles one of which, has a nice overhang at twenty meter deep which often houses some monster sized groupers which we liked a lot.
Multi leveling back towards the surface of the pinnacles, you find many really nice, picturesque shots of colorful sea anemone gardens and washes of schools of trevally, batfish, and barracuda. Lucky divers, hopefully equipped with a good wide-angle lens will spot giant barracuda and even the occasional whale shark! Chumphon Pinnacle is almost always visited on the morning boats.
Southwest Pinnacle
Southwest is another underwater pinnacle which you reach about 12m below the surface and max out at about 20m deep. Anemone and the clown fish decorate the upper parts of the rock whilst down deeper you will find many holes, ledges teeming with life and often a giant grouper of three. Southwest usually has great viability, at least it did for our dives and also provided us with some great shots as walls of barracuda cruised by as divers watched on in aw. This site is almost always visited on the morning boats.Shark Rock aka Shark Island.
This dive site is said to get its name from its likeness to a dorsal fin and it is located on the western side of Koh Tao. Features of this site include an abundance of different corals, nudibranchs, stingrays, and moray eels. A point to keep in mind, Shark Rock can run some wicked strong current and at time has very aggressive trigger fish, luckily for us we had no current whatsoever, but I did have a curious Trigger have a nibble on my fins!Sail Rock
Sail Rock is an open water pinnacle located between Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan. The dive site takes about two hours to get to from Koh Tao. This is a less visited dive site for diving Koh Tao, mostly scheduled only once a week. Sail Rock is famous for its natural underwater vertical swim through or chimney which divers can enter at 6 metres and exit at 18m. Not to mention its also host to many larger pelagics including chevron barracuda, big schools of mackerel, jacks, trevally and tuna. You may encounter a seasonal whale shark or manta ray here also.Twins
Twins is just off the coast of Koh Nang Yuan, a tiny island northwest of Koh Tao. This site local and easy to access and perfect for training dives as its nice and shallow. Perfect for practicing your underwater photography skills and camera buoyancy on a nice addition here of a family of rare saddleback clownfish living in an anemone that divers have clearly marked with a ring of rocks.Green Rock
Green Rock is located north of Koh Nang Yuan. Another easy to access site and is a great deal of fun with its “swim throughs” or cut-throughs that divers can pass through. They are great for practicing buoyancy and finding shy marine life. This is also a popular breeding ground for trigger fish, so dont get to catch up in your underwater photography and keep an eye out for these fish in the 'aggressive' season.KOH TAO Underwater Photography
Underwater Photography Diving Koh Tao
Learning or practicing underwater photography in Koh Tao is brilliant! Although be careful since a very serious addiction to the diving and aquatic life behind the lens can be caught!! You can find some really good courses and photo masters here. Dive4Photos with Alex Tyrrell is a very good option for those wanting to learn from a true photography specialist rather than your general scuba instructor / photographer. Not that scuba instructors don't make great underwater photography teachers, they do, ha, I am one but that said, you can find this and more on Koh Tao! Even UV photography! Now that's REALLY cool.More Info on Koh Tao Wreck Dives Here. Also One Of Koh Tao's Shipwrecks Featured in Adam Leaders "The Sailor's Angel"
WRECk DIVING KOH TAO
The HTMS SATTAKUT WRECK
The HTMS Sattakut is an artificial reef and a decommissioned Royal Thai Navy ship sunk to create an artificial reef and a diving attraction. It's situated off the western coast of Koh Tao, making it easily accessible from the island's dive centers.What is the HTMS Sattakut wreck?
The HTMS Sattakut is a decommissioned Royal Thai Navy ship that was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef and a popular diving attraction. It serves as an underwater destination for divers to explore the marine life that has colonized the wreck over the years.
Where is the HTMS Sattakut wreck located?
The HTMS Sattakut wreck is located off the western coast of Koh Tao, which is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Tao is known for its vibrant diving community, and the wreck is one of the island's notable dive sites.What is the diving experience like on the HTMS Sattakut wreck?
Diving on the HTMS Sattakut wreck offers a unique experience. The wreck lies at a depth of approximately 30 meters (100 feet) and provides an opportunity for divers to explore the underwater world of a sunken ship. The visibility in the area is generally good.
Do I need a specific diving certification to dive on the HTMS Sattakut wreck?
While requirements may vary depending on the dive operator and local regulations, the HTMS Sattakut wreck is typically accessible to divers with Open Water Diver certification or higher. However, some dive operators may recommend or require an Advanced Open Water Diver certification due to the depth of the wreck as OW divers are limited to the tower areas around 18m deep. It's essential to check with the dive shop you plan to dive with to confirm their specific certification requirements.About Koh Tao Dive Centers
Koh Tao has many popular areas known for its vibrant diving community and beautiful underwater landscapes. When it comes to diving on Koh Tao, there are numerous dive centers and island areas to explore. Here's some information about Koh Tao dive centers and the island's diving areas:Sairee Beach Dive Centers:
Sairee Beach is the main hub for diving on Koh Tao and is home to many dive centers. Here, you'll find a wide range of options for diving courses, fun dives, equipment rental, and dive trips to various dive sites, including the HTMS Sattakut wreck.Big Blue Diving: Big Blue Diving is one of the largest and most well-known dive centers on Koh Tao. They offer a wide range of courses, from beginner to professional levels, as well as fun dives and snorkeling trips.
Crystal Dive Resort: Crystal Dive Resort is another popular dive center located on Sairee Beach. They have a PADI 5-Star rating and offer a variety of diving courses and packages. They also have their own accommodation options for divers.
Mae Haad Dive Centers:
Mae Haad is another area on Koh Tao with several dive centers. It's known for its accessibility and proximity to the island's ferry terminal, making it a convenient location for divers arriving on the island.Black Turtle Dive Center Black Turtle Dive Center is an industry leader run by PADI Platinum Course Direct Matt Bolton THe center is self described as a progressive and innovative dive center passionate about the ocean and conservation. They focus on high-quality diver training, buoyancy skills, and marine conservation.
Master Divers Master Divers is a well-regarded dive center in the Mae Haad area. They offer PADI courses and daily dive trips to various dive sites around Koh Tao. They are known for their professionalism and experienced instructors.
Chalok Baan Kao Dive Centers:
Chalok Baan Kao area is popular for its relaxed atmosphere and is home to several dive centers. It's a great place to start your diving adventures or continue your training.New Heaven Dive School: New Heaven Dive School is committed to sustainable and eco-friendly diving practices. They offer courses and fun dives while promoting marine conservation. They are located in Chalok Baan Kao.
Davy Jones Locker Diving: Davy Jones Locker Diving is a smaller dive center with a personalized approach to diving education. They offer courses for all levels of divers and are also situated in Chalok Baan Kao.
Tanote Bay Dive Centers
Ocean Sound Dive + Yoga: Ocean Sound Dive + Yoga combines diving with yoga for a holistic experience. They offer PADI courses, fun dives, and yoga sessions for divers. They are located in the Tanote Bay area.Sai Daeng Resort Diving: Sai Daeng Resort Diving offers diving services, including courses and guided dives, for guests of the Sai Daeng Resort. They are situated in the Tanote Bay area.
These are reputable dive centers in their respective areas on Koh Tao. When choosing a dive center, consider your diving goals, certification level, and preferences. Additionally, check their websites or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information on their services, schedules, and pricing.
