Gulf of Thailand Dive Sites Guide by Simple Life Diving Koh Tao

Best Thailand Dive Sites - Koh Tao and beyond!

The Gulf of Thailand dive sites surrounding Koh Tao offer some of the best diving in the Gulf of Thailand.

Koh Tao dive sites offer a diverse range of including shallow coral reefs, small islands and rocks and isolated deep sea pinnacles.

Around our Gulf of Thailand dive sites you can witness a massive variety of marine species, from tropical reef fish [triggerfish, butterfly and angelfish], moray eels, stingrays and sea snakes, turtles, big pelagic species and even sharks. Koh Tao dive sites are also lucky enough to get seasonal whale shark visits, so diving in the Gulf of Thailand you've got a chance of a very memorable diving experience!

Here's a run down of our most popular Gulf of Thailand dive sites.

Chumphon Pinnacle - diving Koh Tao

Approx. 12 km northwest of Koh Tao, Chumphon pinnacle is one of the best Koh Tao dive sites.

One huge main pinnacle rising from the bottom at 35m to within 14m of the surface, with smaller deeper rock formations scattered of the main pinnacle. The Chumphon Pinnacle often has excellent visibility, with either a deep thermocline at around 25 - 30 metres, or on some days crystal clear to the bottom.

On this Koh Tao dive site you will come across huge Schools of Batfish, Fusiliers, Rabbit fish, Trevally. Black tip reef sharks, Bull sharks, Large Groupers and The majestic Whale Shark!!! Simple life divers runs afternoon trips out to the pinnacles every afternoon, This dive site is not to be missed!!!!

South West Pinnacles - Gulf of Thailand dive sites

South west pinnacle is regarded as one of the premier Gulf of Thailand dive sites, with depths ranging from 30m, forming an underwater mountain range consisting of seven pinnacles.

Abundant corals and large sea fans, Schools of giant Barracuda’s and the occasional ‘Whale shark visits'. Very popular Koh Tao dive site well worth the visit.

There's also a 'secret pinnacle' someway off the main formation.

Shark Island - diving Koh Tao

Just a short boat ride bring you to the Shark Island Koh Tao dive site, which has a great diversity of marine life. Rising from 20m and breaching the surface the island is uninhabited, sea fans and whip corals abundant. Occasional visits from reef and leopard sharks, more common are the blue spotted ray, scribbled filefish and the titan triggerfish.

Unlike many of Koh Tao's dive sites, Shark Island is in an exposed position south of 'Turtle Island', with only a small rock rising above the surface. This means currents can be strong in the shallow water around the shark island Koh Tao dive site - thats good for coral growth but means we have to choose the right time to dive Shark Island.

White Rock - diving Koh Tao

With the depth levels of 25m to 5m, White rock is an easy Koh Tao dive site suited to all levels of diver. White eyed moray eels, Blue spotted rays, Barracuda and the famous ‘Trevor the trigger fish’ all call this Gulf of Thailand dive sites their home.

Night dives are the norm at White rock due to the variety of marine life activity, come and see Barracuda hunting, Stingrays feeding and parrot and rabbit fish everywhere!

Perfect depths to enjoy long dives and masses of marine life make White Rock one of the most popular Gulf of Thailand dive sites.

Laem Thien - diving Koh Tao

Laem Thien is a granite rock cape, With an abundance of swim-throughs and small caves. A great dive for photographers with angel fish, sweetlips, yellowtail barracuda and hawksbill turtles.

Below the caves, the contour of the island slides away, with whip coral gardens at depth.

The Koh Tao dive site is situated on the eastern side of of the island, so when you dive Laem Thien with us we take around the whole island in one afternoon!!! Get to check out some spectacular scenery.

Twins - Koh Nang Yuan

One of the shallower and prettier of the Gulf of Thailand dive sites, Twins is located at Koh Nang Yuan, where you can see an amazing range of marine life in a small area.

It's name is due to two groups of granite rocks covered in corals and sponges, divided by clear sandy patches and a beautiful coral garden. Take a look at Clownfish, Stingrays, Morays, Pipefish, Cleaner wrasse and many more.

Twins is a classic Koh Tao dive site for both dive courses and certified divers - generally easy diving conditions and lots to see.

Sail Rock - Gulf of Thailand dive sites between Koh Phangan and Ko Tao

Sail rock is situated half way between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. Its a very small island with vertical walls which extend from above the surface to about 25 metres where they meet the sandy bottom.

Rated as one of the best Gulf of Thailand dive sites, Sail Rock has a vertical chimney swim through that starts at 18m up to 6m. All kinds of marine life is found here including the Whale shark, king mackerel, Kingfish and tuna, All the large pelagics.

For seasoned certified divers, there's a second pinnacle, which starts deep and rises up to about 15m - this is about a 50 metres swim from the main Rock. Since most diving is focused around the main rock, the abundance of marine life and quality of coral around the second pinnacle is staggering, and well worth the swim.

Sail rock trips only happen once a week, We have access to use a high speed RIB, Which cuts the travel time down to 30 mins each way!!!

This trip is only bookable three days in advance as there is a limit of 6 fun divers per trip.

Hin Wong pinnacle - diving Koh Tao

Hard and soft corals cover a table top rock formation in one of the best Koh Tao dive sites. Hawksbill turtles, snappers, porcupine pufferfish and juvenile boxfish are all to found here.

The depth at Hin wong averages around 18m but does drop off to 40m at its deepest.

A nice Thailand dive site when combined with Laem Thien for a great afternoon ride around the island.

Nang yuan pinnacle - Gulf of Thailand dive sites

Only 10m average depth but with a large boulder and swim through arches make this a great fun dive, A large cave to the west and a beautiful coral formation leading into Japanese gardens. The PADI Undersea Journal recently rated the Nang Yuan Pinnacle [also called Red Rock] in the top 10 Gulf of Thailand dive sites.

Giant whiptail rays, morays, pipefish and the ever present titan triggerfish.

Green Rock - Koh Tao dive sites

A maze of swim -throughs, caverns, caves all created by the huge granite boulders that dot the shoreline of Koh Tao. One of the most popular Koh Tao dive sites on the edge of Koh Nang Yuan, Green Rock is home to both the yellow margin and the titan triggerfish, giant trevellies, occasional reef and nurse sharks sightings.

Mango Bay - diving Koh Tao

This is one of the best places for beginner’s and snorkelers. The bay is quite shallow ranging from 5 meters to 15 meters, there is a tiny beach which leads to a resort and restaurant for any snorkelers that would like to take a break, but it is quite a hike!

The water at Mango bay is a beautiful aquamarine colour and no stay on koh tao is complete without a boat trip to Mango Bay.

Hin Pee Wee - Koh Tao dive sites

Situated about 200 meters south of white rock, Hin Pee wee is one of the deeper Koh Tao dive sites used more for advanced divers. The main pinnacle starts off at 7 meters and drops down to about 24 meters.

Large puffer fish, Porcupine fish and under the crevices you should find some Jenkins whiprays waiting for their picture to be taken.

Japanese gardens - Koh Nang Yuan

Probably one of the most picturesque of Gulf of Thailand dive sites above water, Japanese Gardens sites between the three small islands of Koh Nangyuan. Used more for training dives than ‘Fun Diving’ this Koh Tao dive site still produces some really nice dives due to the visibility being good. It is quite a sheltered bay, with vast array of tropical fish, Trigger fish, Banner fish, and trevallies can be seen if you head off north.

Average depths of around 10 meters and maximum of no more than 16 meters, Nice long dives to be had at Japanese gardens.