 The
Gulf Of Thailand and the waters around Koh Tao
are unique, offering over 20 dive sites, with
the majority close the island.
The
close proximity of these sites, combined with
their depths, allows us to offer divers variety
for each trip.
CHUMPHON
PINNACLE
Widely
regarded as one of the Gulf's premier
dive sites, Chumphon Pinnacle
itself is comprises of one huge main granite
pinnacle and a series of smaller pinnacles
rising from the bottom at 36m to within
14m of the surface.
On
the main part of the site divers can expect
to encounter Batfish, Trevally, large
Groupers, as well as huge shoals of Fusiliers
and Rabbit fish.
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WHALESHARKS
OF KOH TAO
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Less
common, but still available to see regularly are
the Spanish Mackerel and some Paddlefin Trigger
fish. For
those with keen eyes it is also possible to see
Scorpionfish lazing on the rocks. Chumphon pinnacle
also plays host to seasonal visits by Whale Sharks
and their attendant Cobias and Remoras, plus the
occasional Manta.
A memorable
experience for every diver!
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SAIL
ROCK ("HIN BAI")
DIVING
AT
SAIL ROCK
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Rising
7-9m from the water and located
mid-way between Koh Tao and Koh
Phangan, the pinnacle that is Sail
Rock is always one of the best full
day diving
trips on offer. A variety of
different diving areas, including
"The Chimney", a vertical
shaft which rises from 18m.
The
smaller pinnacle on the S.E side
of the site drops down more than
30m and you will often see Barracuda
and the mighty Whaleshark! |
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SOUTH
WEST PINNACLE
South-west
of Koh Tao, this site is also widely acclaimed
as another of the Gulf's premier diving
destinations, with depths ranging from
30m upwards. The series of seven pinnacles
form an underwater mountain range, with
the largest peak rising to within 5m of
the surface.
Like
Chumphon, this site features a carpet
of anemones on the upper levels with an
abundance of corals and large sea fans.
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BRYDE'S
WHALE
SW PINNACLE
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SHARK
ISLAND
 One
of the most varied dive sites around Koh Tao in
terms of marine life, Shark Island is one place
that you'll definitely wish to return to.
300m
southeast of Koh Tao this small, uninhabited,
granite peak rises clear of the water from a sandy
bottom at 20m.Divers can enjoy an enormous variety
of hard, encrusting corals and a similar variety
of sea fans and whip corals.
The
renowned "fish junction" off the northern end
of the site provides good photographic opportunities.
Shark Island occasionally plays host to visiting
Reef and Leopard sharks.
The more usual residents include Blue Spotted
Rays, Scribbled Filefish, Starry Pufferfish, and
Titan Triggerfish that sometimes like nibbling
the fins of visiting divers who get a little too
close to their nesting sites!
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WHITE
ROCK
 White
Rock boasts a large coral garden situated between
two distinct granite pinnacles to the north and
south sides of the site, and a vast array of both
daytime and nocturnal inhabitants.
With
a depth range of 26m to 5m, and an average depth
of 12m, White Rock is suited to everyone's experience
level.
White
Eye Morays and Blue Spotted Rays are commonly
sighted, as is the Koh Tao legend , "Trevor" the
Triggerfish, who has been the boss of White Rock
for many years..!!
Several
species of Barracuda routinely visit here, particularly
impressive to see them hunting on night dives
when they will actually follow divers using the
torch beams to spot their dinner.
Night
dives also unveil many different kinds of Feather
Stars, hunting Cone Shells and feeding Stingrays,
in addition to Parrot fish and Rabbit fish!
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GREEN
ROCK
One
of the outlying dive sites to the north
of Koh Nang Yuan island; Green Rock has
its own special attractions for divers
in the form of many varied swim throughs
and the lunar like landscape created by
nesting Yellow Margin Triggerfish.
With
a depth range of 3m to 30m most divers
will find this site within their capabilities.
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TURTLE
AT
GREEN ROCK
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The
insides of the caverns and the undersides of outcroppings
are home to many brightly colored soft corals
and sponges, while the outer parts of the site
play host to shoals of electric Blue Damsel fish,
Tube Anemones with tiny translucent shrimps (for
those with keen eyesight) Emperors, Angel fish
and the occasional Turtle.
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KOH
NANG YUAN
Nestled in a bay between the three islands
of Koh Nang Yuan, "Twins" consists of
two main pinnacles, and a smaller, deeper "little
brother". A perfect site for both training activities,
and a leisurely fun dive, the pinnacles range
in depth from 5m to 18m, and are surrounded by
soft white sand dotted with the unusual symbiotic
relationships of Goby fish and their blind-shrimp
housemates.
Twins
offers divers the chance to see the larger groupers
normally only spotted at depth on the more remote
dive sites. Blue-Ringed angelfish and the striking
yellow Raccoon Butterfly fish are abundant, along
with a host of varied Parrotfish and wrasse. Combined
with green, blue, and red anemones this is one
of the islands most colorful dive sites.
Venture
south a short distance across the sand to encounter
"Mork" and "Mindy", a friendly pair of the uncommon
Saddleback Clownfish, then back to the East pinnacle
for the best safety stop on the island with a
school of around 500 curious, small Yellowtail
Barracuda.
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