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Amazing! :) LOVVVVE whale sharks
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Diving Koh Tao
Koh Tao, Thailand
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Shore Day Trip Live Aboard
Country: Thailand Area: Gulf of Thailand
Water Temp: 27 - 31°C (81 - 88°F)
Visibility: 5 - 30m (16 - 98 ft)
Depth Range: 5 - 35m (16 - 115 ft)
The main diving destination in the gulf of Thailand, Koh Tao is surrounded by shallow coral reefs teeming with marine life. It’s very laid back atmosphere combined with diving spots on its doorstep makes it a very stress free dive destination.
Koh Tao means “Turtle Island” and is one of the cheapest places in the world to learn to dive so is perfect for backpackers travelling on a budget. The island is the least built up of the three main islands in the gulf and used to only really be visited by divers, with most hotels linked to a dive school providing accommodation to its customers. Now that is not the case and a lot of non divers also visit the island to escape the crowds and visit the secluded beaches and jungle.
Climate
The climate in this area is tropical so although most of the year is it lovely hot beach weather it does have a monsoon season. This is from the end of October to the beginning of December. During this period there is very heavy rain most days and strong winds which can cause flooding and loss of electricity. Lots of the dive operators will close on the bad days during this time as the seas are very rough and accessible dive sites are limited. So the main dive season runs from late December to late October.
Water temperature during this time varies from 27C-31C with the coldest water temperature being during and either side of the monsoon in October and December. The sea warms up until it reaches its highest point around May and then slowly drops down again towards October. The coldest points of the season when the water temperature has dropped to around 29C are the best times of the season to see sharks, as when it’s at its 31C peak the water is to warm, so they migrate elsewhere until the temperate drops back down.
Marine Conservation
Around Koh Tao there are many active conservation projects monitoring the reefs, water quality and marine life. One of the current projects is an Ecological Monitoring Program which is a coral reef research program which works with dive schools to gather data about the biodiversity and abundance of marine life in Koh Tao’s waters. There are also a couple of Bio Rock projects in the area which is an artificial reef structure using low voltage current to improve the re growth of broken and damaged coral.
Many dive centres also take part in reef cleanup and contribute to the turtle and whale shark sighting databases.
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Shore Diving & Day Trips
Diving Koh Tao has something for all levels of experience from beginners to experienced as there is a range of dive sites from easy shallow shore dives such as Mango Bay to deeper sites like Chumphon Pinnacle and swimthoughs at Green Rock.
Mango Bay is a typical beginner dive which has a sandy gently sloping bottom and plenty of marine life including a huge shoal of fusiliers which can reliably be found every dive. Chumphon is a much deeper pinnacle offshore which can have strong currents but also the chance of Whale Sharks in season. This site isn’t for beginners but is an excellent advanced deep dive if the currents aren’t too strong.
All can be reached in minutes on a day boat so most operators offer a two dive session in the morning arriving back to the centre at lunch and then another two dive session in the afternoon. This gives you the freedom to either dive all day or to break up your day with a bit of diving and another activity such as trekking through the jungle or lazing on the beach.
There are also frequent trips to the slightly further afield site of Sail Rock near Koh Pha Ngan, which is a lone pinnacle covered in pretty reefs and home large schools of fusiliers, trevally, batfish and barracuda.
Koh Tao has an abundance of marine life, the main attractions being Whale Sharks and both Hawksbill and Green Turtles which have breeding grounds on the island, although numbers due to human impact had dramatically decreased over the years and now it is very lucky to see one. The Whale Sharks are most likely to be seen around Chumphon Pinnacle or Sail Rock from August onwards to the monsoon season.
Dive Centers in Koh Tao
Roctopus Dive
Roctopus Dive is a small and friendly dive shop. We specialise in small groups and with flexibility, we also avoid diving on busy dive sites. Through hard work and employing great staff we have built an amazing reputation on the island.
We offer a wide variety of courses from entry level all the way to Professional. At Roctopus Dive we are also heavily involved with reef conservation as we want to make sure Koh Tao stays as it is… paradise!
We pride ourselves on our personal service. All our instructors are highly qualified, professional, and a lot of fun. We guarantee small groups and a very relaxing atmosphere to learn in. All our equipment is in top condition as our instructors are also qualified to service scuba units.
Our dive shop is located in a relaxing, quiet setting close to Sairee Beach, we are near to all the shops, restaurants, and bars
We make sure that we go to a wide range of dive sites and avoid the ‘crowds’ by leaving a bit later that the other dive schools. Roctopus Dive is small, friendly, and a place people don’t want to leave!
Land-based facilities
Cameras For Hire, Equipment For Sale, Equipment Hire, Own Day Boat, Servicing, Lunch, Valve Adapters, Yoke, Freediving
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How to get there
You can reach Koh Tao by either a ferry leaving from the mainland near Chumphon or a ferry or speedboat from either of the other two main islands, Koh Samui or Koh Phangan, which leaves a couple of times daily. The nearest airport is on Koh Samui which receives regular flights from Bangkok and Phuket. Thailand has a months visa upon arrival for most countries but it is best to double check in advance.
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Where to eat & drink
The main tourist area in Koh Tao is Sairee beach located on the western side of the island and running almost the whole length. This is where the ferries arrive and depart from and there is a main street here with a selection of shops, supermarkets such as 7/11 and restaurants and bars. If you would like a more peaceful picturesque bar or restaurant there are many more to chose from all along the beach most of which are looking out to the calm blue sea and beautiful palm tree lined white sand.
The restaurants serve a selection of thai food and there are lots of excellent seafood and fish BBQ’s which are highly recommended.
Bars on the island rotate nights so its best to ask someone living on the island which bars are open which nights.
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Other activities
Diving in Koh Tao, although the activity the island is most famous for isn’t all the island has to offer. There are now many activities for a non diver or diver wanting to take a break from the underwater world such as rock climbing, a variety of water sports including wake boarding and sailing, thai boxing and relaxing spa and massages.
A great way to explore more of the island is to take a hike through the jungle, there are many routes, one popular one leads to Mango Bay and takes approx 2hrs from Sairee. If jungle treks aren’t for you then there are many long tails that will take you to secluded bays or boat cruises that do trips around the whole of the island.
A day trip to the very nearby small island of Koh Nuan Yuan is also recommended. This small island is minutes off the coast of Koh Tao and the blue waters surrounding the idyllic beaches are teaming with wildlife for snorkelers as well as being a top Thailand diving area.
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Tips
Thai vendors can sometimes make some people feel uncomfortable. They can approach you with goods to buy or to persuade you to enter their shops or restaurant. A calm and clear, “No, thank you,” will usually do the trick.
Motorbike accidents are very common, so ensure you wear a helmet and do not drink drive! Most roads on the island are only dirt roads and are not recommended unless you are an experienced rider. If you do hire a motorbike bear in mind that although the vehicle hire shops are cheap it can be very expensive paying for scratches on the newer bikes, so try to hire an older bike.
There are clinics on the island but the nearest hospital is Koh Samui or on the mainland at Chumphon. Koh Samui also has the closest recompression chamber to Koh Tao.
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Nick
200+ dives
Whale Sharks at Koh Tao!
17 Dec 2012 - 30 Dec 2012
I traveled with my girlfriend to Koh Tao for Christmas. I had never been there before but she had worked there for a number of years previously as a dive instructor.
There are a number of dive sites positioned closely together not far from the island where a ship was also scuttled to provide an interesting wreck dive. The other sites near it were very easy dives.
The highlight was Chumphon Pinnacle on Christmas Eve. There had been reports of Whale Sharks at the site recently and when we arrived there was another dive boat which signaled to us that there were 2 in the water. We jumped in the water immediately and a small whale shark swam over us as we were descending. Shortly after another swam directly towards us! It repeatedly swam around the Pinnacle so we stayed in the same place and let it come to us over and over again. We felt so lucky seeing that my girlfriend had spent years working there and only seen Whale Sharks twice. To top it off we passed 3 bull sharks on the way back to the boat.
I posted a video of the experience here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68kBIgWuJ2Q
I saw:
Bull Sharks,
Whale Sharks
1
Natalie Hunt
3000+ dives
An Abundance of Whale Sharks
1 Oct 2012 - 1 Nov 2012 with Sunshine Divers
Sunshine Divers have seen an abundance of Whale Sharks this October. With the rainy season hitting Northern Thailand there has been a lot of nutrients washed into the water thus attracting the Whale shark. With blooms of macro-algae surrounding such dive sites as Chumphon and South West and the world famous South Rock ( located between Koh Tao and Koh Phang Yang ) there has been a lot of Whale Shark activity. Whale sharks have reported at all mentioned dive sites at the same time!
With some dives racking up several sightings of different Whale sharks, including adults over 9m and baby's at around 4-6m. On more than one occasion Sunshine Divers were the only boat at the dive site.
The Sail Rock trips have been amazing for Shark activity, imagine seeing bull sharks swimming beside Whale Sharks, emerging together out of the thermocline at the same time!!!! "Well that's what we witnessed" If you are in Thailand, now is the time to come down to Koh Tao and go diving. It is by far one of the best dives you can have, swimming beside a Whale Sharks for an entire dive.
0
Tim Bury
100+ dives
When is the busy season?
I prefer to go slightly off-peak season just so life is easier! Just wondering when that is for Koh Tao (is it similar for locations around Koh Tao?)
3
Natalie Hunt
3000+ dives
Sattakut Wreck
3 Aug 2012 - 1 Sep 2012 with Sunshine Divers
After a long history at sea the Sattakut (HTMS Sattakut LCI742) came to its final resting place of the east coast of Koh Tao.
As its a new wreck you can witness how the ocean will slowly claim this Artificial dive site, whilst still being able to see the original features of the ship, with a bottom depth of 30m and a lot of crevices, there are numerous hiding places for some amazing marine life, from Jenkins Whiptail rays to moray eels and whole array of bottom dwelling critters.
With Giant Groupers inhabiting the top decks and Blue Spotted Trout patrolling the peripheral. Even Titan triggerfish have taken refuge on the wreck claiming one of the immense anti air crafty gun's as their home.
With each dive on the wreck you are guaranteed it will be a unique visit each time. From Sea Snakes gliding through the many entry points of the wreck to the odd Giant Barracuda cruising by, there is always a pleasant surprise at this wreck. Sunshine Divers visit this site every week, with the experience and expertise of the Sunshine Dive Team you're guaranteed to have an adrenaline packed dive.
2
Natalie Hunt
3000+ dives
PADI Ecological Monitoring Programme
18 May 2012 - 21 May 2012 with Sunshine Divers
We took part in the Ecological Monitoring Program', affiliated through PADI with Sunshine Divers.
The Koh Tao EMP course is based on the original Ecological Monitoring Program developed by the "Coastal Preservation and Development Foundation"… the difference being that the Koh Tao course has been written with regards to Reef checks on particular dive sites around Koh Tao as well as particular Marine Life most commonly found here which has the most impact on the overall health of our reef systems.
We learnt about the different types of corals out there including the vast amount within the Hard Coral family, we also learnt the coral code that is used by scientists and the Ecological monitoring Program for data collecting. This programme also enables you to preform 3 surveys (Fish, Invertebrates & Substrate) as well as how to lay the Transect Line for accurate data collection and proper use of a Secci disc for accurate visibilities readings.
This is a great programme to do, its fun, helpful and educational all at the same time.
1
Laura Foy
50+ dives
Fall 2011
1 Sep 2011 - 12 Sep 2011
I spent approximately two weeks in the south of Koh Tao at Chalok Baan Kao at the tail end of a one month backpacking trip around Thailand with a brief stopover to Cambodia.
I had a fantastic time there, not because the diving was mind-blowingly spectacular but because the atmosphere and the people just have such a passion for diving and having fun. The diving was pretty good though.
There's a pretty good diversity of creatures and corals, with some great schools around the two pinnacle sites (Southwest and Chumpon). Decent snorkelling to be had too, for surface dwellers. A whale shark eluded me by two weeks time. Getting towards the end of the season the seas did kick up a bit. Visibility was good, but not great, 30-50 feet I'd say. Water temps around 26C/80F. Air temps slightly higher.
I saw:
Blacktip Reef Sharks
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Catherine Jones
You are so lucky, sounds like an amazing trip, i was there as a DM for 4 months and didnt see one!
Steven Williams
Great photos, will check out your video too.
Marie Le Haziff
I will hopefully be diving there in the summer, im crossing my fingers for whale sharks!