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Koh Tao Dive Sites
Koh Tao offers an incredible variety of dive sites suitable for both beginners and advanced divers. Most dive sites are but 10 minutes away and even the furthest is easily reachable by our day trip boat or of course by Queen Scuba. Please read on for more information about the dive sites which await you.
CHUMPORN PINNACLE: max depth 40m, av depth 24m.
 An underwater mountain range encompassing an area of approximately 100m squared, compleltely surrounded by deeper waters providing us with a world class dive site. Regular sightings of whale sharks and manta rays make this dive site one of the 'musts' of your trip. The pinnacles themselves are completlely carpeted with anenomes, and schools of batfish, barracuddas, trevallies, and fusiliers create a spectacular scene in the surrounding waters. You can feel the excitiment as soon as you jump in, so sink and enjoy swimmming in what some call 'fish soup'!
SOUTHWEST PINNACLE: max depth 32m,, av depth: 20m.
 A group of pinnacles created by submerged giant boulder rocks makes this dive site topographically unique. The sloping bottom resembles the most beautiful autumn forrest imaginable, with giant fan corals in reds, oranges, greens and yellows. Also regularly visited by whale sharks and mantas with the resident leopard sharks and potato groupers cruising around - all make this a popular dive site in koh tao.
SHARK ISLAND: depth 26m, av depth 15m.
 Apppropriately named for it's resemblance to a sharks dorsal fin, this is one of koh tao's treasures. Each side of the island is a dive site in it's own respect, with one side packed with a huge variety of hard corals and sponges, making it nudibranch heaven (pack the makro lens!!). The other side boasts a breathtaking soft coral garden with frequent sigtings of stingrays (large and small), moray eels and titan triggerfish. This is the perfect drift dive, fly around the island in the moderate current and have the boat come pick you up!! Sounds perfect?? It is!!!!
WHITE ROCK: Max Depth 18m, Av Depth 12m.
 The perfect naturalist dive site!!! Almost every species of coral to be found in Koh Tao can be seen in its glory here. The depths of this dive site allow the colours to brightly decorate the landscape, with reef fish in abundance, you can relax and watch wrasse in courtship, butterflyfish busying themselves preening coral heads, angelfish hiding in dark corners, trigger fish patrolling the oyster garden and much much more!!! My favourite!!
HIN PI VIE: Max Depth 26m Av Depth: 16m.
 Koh Taos latest discovery still retains the mysterious ambience of an unexplored site. A group of 11 pinnacles ranging from large to small, covered in corals and sponges in pristine condition. The waters are teeming with fish of every description, with many crevices bearing hidden treasures. Schools of juvenile barracudas about the length of your finger, giant whiptail rays resident under the rocks, this dive site is full of surprises!!!
GREEN ROCK: Max Depth 28m Av Depth : 16m.
 There are two fantastic reasons to dive this site -
1. Just 50m North of the main pinnacle is the largest triggers nest I have ever seen!!! Descend into their living room, and when the house is full expect to see up to 20 Yellow Margin Triggers reaching 1 m in length each. All guarding the crater like nests they have created, all displaying courtship and territorial behaviour which is spectacular to watch or film.
2. This dive site is created by tumbling giant boulders which create a myriad of swim - throughs and caverns. Take a torch and see the daisy corals blooming by daytime, the stingrays munching in the corners, nudibranches patrolling the ceiling sponges, oysters proudly displaying their mantles. Outside the waters patrol with Giant trevallies, Cobias, solitary Great barracudas and reef sharks.
RED ROCK(NANG YUAN PIN.& CAVE): Max Depth 18m Av Depth 10m.
 The pinnacle has a deep crack in its mid section, that runs the entire way around. Inside this crack (which I call Pandora's Box), anything can be found. I have seen species of fish I had previously thought didn't exist in Koh Tao, sleeping Trigger fish, Giant Whiptail rays, Giant Morays, and even reef sharks, resting in the crack. Once you've been around, you head west to the Cave. Approximately 25 - 30 m in length, and high enough to be more than comfortable, this is the perfect place to sit and watch. Cleaner shrimp manicure your nails, larger banded shrimp will even clean your teeth!! Pipe fish all over the walls, and crabs of every description scuttling around. Don't be surprised if you disturb a sleeping Whiptail Ray or two on your way in. It's their home!!!
TWIN PEAKS: Max Depth: 22m Av Depth : 12m.
 Located metres from the shores of the stunning Koh Nang Yuan islands, Twins is a dive site for everyone. Four series of submerged rocks separated by narrow sand patches sees the depth increase from 7m in the shallow's to 22m at the deepest point. The highlights here are definitely the clown fish nests, the lionfish burrow, Tyson the Trigger and the safety stop barracuda school. All against the background of colourful coral gardens and abundant reef fish makes this dive site underwater heaven!!!
MANGO BAY : Max Depth: 16m Ave Depth: 10m.
 Koh Tao's most northern bay, Mango Bay is indeed paradise. Only accessible by boat it is home to a few species of fish, which we previously thought didn't exist in Koh Tao. The sandy bottom, clear water and abundant marine life makes this site perfect for training dives, or just a nice long fun dive!
HINWONG BAY AND PINNACLE: Max Depth: 32m Ave Depth: 14 m.
 This pinnacle is unique from all the rest in the quality and variety of soft corals to be seen. Furthermore, turtles are frequently seen around the pinnacle. If the bay is your choice, the coral heads are incredibly impressive and colourful, and tucked behind in the boulder coastline are an array of caverns. All shallow and with lightholes, this is a long exploratory dive, peeking in this hole and that hole to see what it hides......
AOW LEUK: Max Depth: 16m Ave Depth: 10m.
 'Swimming Pool' Bay as it is commonly known, the water here is crystal clear and calm. The fringing coast line hides treasures like Jenkins Whiptail rays, blue spotted fan-tail rays, porcupine fish, puffers, triggers and lots more. A mellow dive with a hint of excitement!
LAEM THIAN: Max Depth: 26m Ave Depth: 12m.
 'Swimthrough City' as it's known as, is located on Koh Tao's east side and sports a large number of interesting tunnels, channels and overhangs. It'll be the closest you'll get to cavern diving in the Gulf of Thailand. Laem Thian is also one of the only spots on Koh Tao where you can encounter the elusive Unicorn Fish.
SAIL ROCK: Max Depth: 45m Ave Depth: 20m.
 One of the Gulf of Thailand's top dive sites, Sail Rock is a fantastic choice. If Advanced, this is the perfect dive to practice your deep diving skills. For any diver, this site is a spectacular dive with abundant marine life and corals. Famous for it's chimney, you can descend through a tunnel about 7m long, emerging at 15m depth to thick schools of jacks, snappers, trevalies and more. A hot spot for pelagics, such as kingfish, mackarels, sharks, there always seems to be some hunting going on. Due to its location and depth, this is also a likely site for whale shark and manta sightings.
LIGHTHOUSE BAY: Max Depth: 14m , Ave Depth: 10m.
 Koh Tao's only accessible wreck dive!! A newly sunken fishing boat (bad luck for the fisherman, but great luck for us divers!) has rapidly become home to a variety of fish and other familiar creatures. Encrusted in sponges and corals, the wreck lies in shallow water and is easily penetrated and is perfect for the wreck diving speciality. The surrounding area is home to large coral heads and swim throughs making this an interesting and varied dive.
JAPANESE GARDENS: Max Depth: 14m, Ave Depth: 10m.
 As the name suggests, the coral formations in this bay are nothing short of amazing. Hundreds of different species of soft and hard corals, layers of sponges with a variety of nudibranches devouring them, and fish galore, what more could you want? A protected bay with clear calm water, perfect for training dives, or a relaxing shallow dive to end the day!
Diving for All...
Koh Tao's variety of dive sites should satisfy novices as well as experienced divers. Here is something for every one!
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