Koh Tao⚠ data unverified

Thailand · Asia · Gulf of Thailand

3.9
/ 5
★★★★☆
Reef diving with a well-rounded site — ideal for newcomers.
Level Beginner
Marine life
4.0
Visibility
3.0
Accessibility
5.0
Facilities
4.5

Pros

  • Good visibility around 15 m
  • 3 standout marine species
  • Diveable year-round

Cons

    Best for

    New and casual diversShore diving

    Plan your trip

    $$
    🛏️
    Suggested stay
    3–4 days
    💸
    Cost level
    Relative cost $$ · ≈ $96/day
    Mature, well-served base — lots of competition keeps lodging reasonable.
    🏨
    Where to stay
    Shore diving from a beachfront resort or dive lodge, often just steps from the water. Infrastructure is mature, with plenty of dive centres and lodging.
    🧭
    Real daily cost in Thailand
    Around $96/day per person · food $29 · hotel $74
    Good to know
    • Gentle conditions — great for long, unhurried dives.
    • Accessible to Open Water divers.
    Koh Tao
    📷 Justraveling.com · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Depth
    2–25 m (7–82 ft)
    Visibility
    15 m (49 ft)
    Water temp
    28–30°C (82–86°F)
    Current
    Mild
    Best season
    Year-round
    Certification
    Open Water
    Dive shops
    60
    Live sea temperature · (Open-Meteo)

    Why go

    Koh Tao is a reef site in the Gulf of Thailand off Thailand, offering coral reefs across its waters. Dives run to 25 m with around 15 m visibility, gentle currents and sea temperatures of 28–30°C. Marine highlights include turtles, schooling fish and coral gardens. Diving is possible year-round, typically reached by shore and boat. Best for newer divers. Open Water certification is sufficient for most sites here.

    Site type
    Reef
    Access
    ShoreBoat

    Marine life

    turtlesschooling fishcoral gardens
    Coordinates
    10.10, 99.83
    Country

    Part of these itineraries

    Notes from divers

    Traveler

    Loved it. Getting there by shore and boat was easy, and the water was a comfortable 28–30°C.

    Instructor

    Solid choice for newer divers. With a range down to 25 m there's room to work without pushing boundaries.

    Anonymous

    Beautiful spot. Do respect the reef and keep your distance.