Planning a dive trip to Koh Tao starts here. Discover local dive centers, explore dive sites and find deals, dive stays, jobs and other diving opportunities around the island.
Discover recommended dive centers in Koh Tao. Find the right dive center for your next dive, from courses and fun dives to local dive experiences.
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Discover dive sites around Koh Tao, from shallow reefs and sheltered bays to deeper pinnacles. Explore the island’s dive sites and find places that match your diving experience.
👉 Explore all dive sites in Koh Tao
Koh Tao is one of Thailand’s best-known diving destinations, with dive sites located around the island. Shallow reefs, sheltered bays and deeper offshore pinnacles provide options for both beginners and experienced divers.
Most dive sites are reached by boat, with local dive centers offering daily dive trips and dive courses throughout much of the year.
Diving is possible throughout the year in Koh Tao, although conditions vary by season. February to September generally offers good opportunities for diving, with some of the clearest conditions often found during the summer months.
Conditions can be more changeable later in the year during the wetter period in the Gulf of Thailand. Weather and visibility vary, so it is worth checking current conditions with a local dive center.
Water temperatures around Koh Tao are warm throughout the year and are usually around 27–30°C. Visibility can range from around 10 to 30 metres, depending on the season, weather and dive site.
Many sites offer relatively easy diving, while deeper pinnacles and more exposed locations can have stronger currents and conditions better suited to experienced divers.
Koh Tao’s reefs are home to a wide variety of tropical marine life, including butterflyfish, groupers, moray eels, barracuda, stingrays and sea turtles.
Larger marine life can also be encountered around the island. Whale sharks are occasionally seen, including around offshore sites such as Chumphon Pinnacle and Southwest Pinnacle, but sightings are never guaranteed.
Most diving around Koh Tao is organised through local dive centers, with boats heading to dive sites around the island each day. Many sites are within easy reach of Koh Tao, making day diving and dive training easy to arrange.
Koh Tao offers options for first-time divers, certified divers and those continuing their dive education. Explore the dive centers and dive sites above to find the options that fit your trip.
Diving is possible throughout the year. February to September generally offers good diving conditions, although visibility and weather vary throughout the season.
Yes. Koh Tao has many sheltered and relatively shallow dive sites suitable for beginners, as well as a large choice of dive centers offering introductory dives and certification courses.
Water temperatures are warm throughout the year and are usually around 27–30°C, with some variation depending on the season and conditions.
Divers can encounter tropical reef fish, moray eels, barracuda, stingrays and sea turtles. Whale sharks are occasionally seen around offshore dive sites, but sightings are never guaranteed.
Koh Tao has a wide range of dive sites, from sheltered bays to deeper offshore pinnacles. Well-known sites include Chumphon Pinnacle, Southwest Pinnacle, Twins and Japanese Gardens. The best choice depends on your experience and local conditions.
Not always, but booking ahead can be useful during busy periods, especially for dive courses or if you want to dive with a specific dive center. Check with a local dive center for availability and current dive schedules.