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Gulf Of Thailand and the waters around Koh Tao is 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.
| Highlights
Chumphon Pinnacle
| SW Pinnacle
| Shark Island
| White Rock
| Green Rock
| Nang Yuan
| CHUMPHON
PINNACLE |
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Northwest
of Koh Tao, Chumphon Pinnacle is widely regarded as
one of the Gulf's premier dive sites.
The
site 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. Less common, but available
to see, are Spanish Mackerel and 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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| SOUTH
WEST PINNACLE |
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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 whip corals
and large sea fans arrayed along the lower edges of
the site.
Impressive
Barracuda over a meter in length can be seen patiently
waiting whilst tiny Cleaning Wrasse perform their underwater
valet service. To the south-east of the main site lies
a smaller pinnacle, which is home to two resident, if
somewhat shy Leopard sharks. |
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| SHARK
ISLAND |
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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.
Located
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
dive site provides excellent 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 |
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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 everybody's
experience levels.
White
Eye Morays and Blue Spotted Rays are commonly sighted,
as is one of Koh Tao's legends, "Trevor" the Triggerfish
who has been the boss of White Rock for many years.
Several
species of Barracuda routinely visit here and it is
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 sleeping Parrot fish and Rabbit fish! |
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| GREEN
ROCK |
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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. 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, Emperors, Angel fish and the occasional Turtle. |
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| KOH
NANG YUAN |
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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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Diving
Koh Tao © Crystal Dive Resort
Mae Haad, Koh Tao, Surat Thani, Thailand
Tel: (077) 456107 Fax: (077) 456105 | E-mail: info@divingkohtao.com
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