The adjoining Koh Samui and Koh Tao areas, off the eastern coast of Thailand, offer some of the best diving opportunities in the Gulf of Thailand. As this gulf is partially sheltered from the larger oceans, most of the area’s dive sites can be dived year round, and they are home to prolific marine life.
The area features gigantic rock formations and pinnacles, lots of brightly colored coral, shallow and sloping reefs, small islands, and even a bit of wreck diving. But the primary draw is the vast array of marine life in the area, from pelagic varieties such as whale sharks, to tropical reef fish such as triggerfish, angelfish, and butterfly fish, along with stingrays, moray eels, turtles, sea snakes, and eagle rays.
Divers flock to the area except during the severe monsoon season and since tourism has really grown in the area many choose to combine a day of diving with the high-octane nightlife or relaxed resort living. Join us as we explore some of the best diving spots in Koh Samui and Koh Tao.
Chumphon Pinnacle - Thailand Dive Sites
One of the most famous dive sites in the area, Chumphon Pinnacle lies about 12 km northwest of Koh Tao. A large pinnacle rises from the bottom at around 35 meters to a height within 14 meters of the surface. Visibility is excellent, and some days you can see all the way to the bottom. The top of the pinnacle is festooned with sea anemones and pink anemone fish, where giant groupers, bat fish, jacks, fusiliers, rabbit fish, and barracuda roam the area. The magnificent whale shark is often spotted here, so keep your camera at hand!
White Rock - Thailand Dive Sites
Suited for all diver proficiency levels, this popular site is a favorite for night dives, due to the large amount of nocturnal activity in its marine life. You’ll spot barracudas hunting their prey, and feeding stingrays will dart among parrot, butterfly, angel, and rabbit fish. Also look for red-breasted wrasse and hexagon grouper. You’ll be entranced by the marine life performing its nightly activities in such close proximity. Diving depths here range from 5 to 25 meters.
Japanese Gardens - Thailand Dive Sites
Located in a sheltered bay, Japanese Gardens offers a relaxed dive along the gently sloping bottom of a group of coral gardens. A great spot for beginner divers, it has average depths of about 10 meters, extending to a maximum of no more than 18 meters. You’ll swim among many varieties of tropical fish, such as trigger fish, jacks, and banner fish. A recent addition to the site is a small wooden wreck, found in about 17 meters of water.
Sail Rock - Thailand Dive Sites
Consistently named one of the best dive locations in the Gulf of Thailand, this site consists of a tiny island with vertical walls which travel from above the waterline to the sandy bottom about 25 meters below. It creates a vertical chimney swim from depths of 6 to 18 meters— you’ll literally have the sensation of swimming up through a chimney. The site also features lovely coral gardens teeming with diverse marine life, ranging from tiny damsels to giant barracuda and whale sharks.
Southwest Pinnacle - Thailand Dive Sites
Another great pinnacle dive site, it extends from a depth of 30 meters up to within 5 meters below the surface. Anemones cover the main pinnacle surfaced, along with bountiful growths of coral and sea fans. The pinnacle is more accurately a series of descending pinnacles, as rock formations cascade down and out to the bottom. The site is considered appropriate for both beginning and experienced divers, and dive training is often conducted here. Look for giant groupers, blue ringed angelfish, grey reef sharks, snappers, and seasonal whale sharks.
Green Rock - Thailand Dive Sites
Giant granite boulders at this site have created a veritable maze of caverns, swim-throughs, and caves that will entertain the most jaded diver. A central pinnacle travels from 1 meter below the surface to a depth of 28 meters. Popular with all levels of diver, the site offers not only topographic wonders, but excellent displays of marine life, including yellow margin and white-eyed morays along with titan triggerfish, butterfly fish, and hawksbill turtles.
Shark Island - Thailand Dive Sites
A more exposed dive site than most in the area, this small island can experience strong currents. These conditions make coral and sea fan growth abundant, but be alert to weather conditions. The island breaks the bay’s surface and drops to a depth of 30 meters. The shallower northern edge, averaging a 12 meter diving depth, is home to coral fish and gorgeous coral gardens. On the deeper southern side, dive depths fall to 27 meters, and you may spot leopard or black tip reef sharks, chevron barracuda, and feeding parrotfish.
Whatever your experience level or interest, these Gulf of Thailand sites will provide an afternoon or evening’s enjoyment, in a lovely and sheltered setting.