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Diving around Koh Tao - Dive Sites |
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The tiny, undeveloped gem
of Ko Tao or Turtle Island is just 21 square kilometers, yet it is the
beating heart of diving in the Gulf of Thailand and home to an
incredible 20 diving schools and more than 100 professional instructors. |
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Located approximately 11km northwest, this site is widely regarded as one
of the best in the region. One main huge granite pinnacle and a series of
smaller ones rising from the bottom at 36m to within 14m 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. Less common but still possible to see are Spanish Mackerel and Scorpion Fish. This great site also plays host to seasonal visits by Whale sharks and Manta Rays. |
A very popular dive site located 1km off Sairee.It 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 noctural inhabitants. With a depth range of 26m to 5m, it is suitable
for every experience level. White Eyed Moray and Blue Spotted Sting Rays
are commonly sighted, as well as the infamous Trigger Fish. Several
species of Barracuda routinely visit the site, it is particularly
impressive to see them hunting on night dives, following divers torch
beams to spot their dinner. 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. |
One of the m ost
varied site in terms of marine life. Located about 300m southeast of Ao
Leuk, this small granite peak rises out of the water from a sandy bottom
at 20-24m. Enjoy 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.Although Shark Island is suitable for divers of all levels, strong currents may be encountered, especially during full moon, allowing the possibility of exciting drift dives. |
| Situated 13km southwest, depth ranging from 30m upward, a series of seven pinnacles form an underwater mountain range, with the largest peaks rising at 5m 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 Baracudas 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. |
The sparsely populated east side of the island offers a range of unusual
sites. Light House, a favourite place for Turtle spotting, Hin Wong
Pinnacle with its stunning blue soft corals at 26m, Laem Thian for
exploring a series of connected swimthroughs & canyons, and Ao Leuk Point
with cornfield-like areas of Whip Corals. These sites also offer the
chance of encountering Banded Sea Snakes, Unicorn Surgeon fish, Parrot
fish and the occasional passing Black Tip Reef Shark. From this side of
the island, the lush, steep jungle slopes makes a magnificent back drop.
On a clear day, divers on the surface can even spot Koh Samui and Koh
Phangan. |
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