Koh Samui

Koh Samui itself offers ideal conditions for beginners and divers with little experience. The area around Hin Ta & Hin Yai (Grandmother  Grandfather Rock) is especially suited for beginners, because there are large sand banks between the stone formations.  A large variety of underwater life can be observed.

So-CalledWaikiki Reef  in the south of Koh Samui is attractive for beginners as well as experienced divers. Drift dives up to 2 kilometers are possible. Another popular destination is Koh Tan, a small island directly  in front of the south coast of Samui. The boat drive takes only 20 minutes. Apart from scuba diving, snorkeling is excellent. Other good diving and snorkeling sites are the Chaweng Reef or the Lamai Reef.

Koh Tao

The best dive sites of the Samui archipelago are located around Koh Tao. For Scuba Divers and snorkellers alike, this small island  offers a hidden underwater treasure, with an  impressive variety of marine life. (1 hour by speed boat from Koh Samui.) The best sites are Sail Rock, Chumphon Pinnacle, and Southwest Pinnacle.

Chumphon Pinnacle

The famous pinnacle starts at 15 meter and drop to 35 meter. Swim through amongst gorges at 25 meter where man-sized groupers can be met. Fish found in this site are jacks, trevallys and tunas. A beautiful garden of sea anemones  all over the rock surface between 16-18 meters is another attraction. One of the best sites around Koh Samui.

Southwest Pinnacle

Favorite and remarkable dive site of a 25 maximum depth surrounding by rocks and swim through where you see big school of barracudas, giant moray eels and famous blue spotted sting ray hiding on the sand looking for food.

Sail Rock

This is a rock which comes out of the sea from a depth of 40 meter and is enriched by tropical life, typical daily encounters are with giant barracudas, schools of batfish or  giant groupers. As you enter the chimney at 25 meter and ascend to 15 meter, you see nudibranchs and clown fish who hide in the sea anemones.

Other good dive sites around Koh Tao are:

Ao Leuk & Mango Bay

These two dive sites are located within a calm bay of Koh Tao, an island north of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. The shallow depth of 3-12 meters provide an excellent dive site for courses in the Samui archipelago.The sea bed is sandy with isolated coral mounts and the neptune cups are prominent amongst the sponges and its wall are covered with juvenile alabaster cucumbers.

White Rock

A very enjoyable dive, suitable for both novice and experienced divers. The site  consists of two submerged pinnacles, the higher of which is covered by only 2m of water.  Groupers, snappers, sweetlips and moray eels are sighted distinctly amongst other small species of resident fish. One of the attractions that divers come to see at White Rock are  titan Trigger fish.

Red Rock

Two large rocky outcrops - the larger standing 10m proud of the water. There are many different species of fish along the reef: Titan Triggerfish, Blue-ringed Angelfish,  large Parrotfish, and more. Drift dives are possible here.

Green Rock

Divers come here for the tremendous selection of adventurous swimthroughs provided by large archways, caverns, caves and crevices which cut through Green Rock. This is as well a good place for see Green and Hawksbill Turtles.

Koh Nang Yuan

This dive site comprises two islets northwest of Koh Tao, about 1 1/2 hour boat drive away from Koh Samui. The bay on the eastern side offers an excellent site for night dives where the current is at its minimum. Maximum depth is 12 meter. The growth of coral life are at its best. Noctural fishes, crabs & shrimps react actively to the torch light and the sea fans will show you his impressive colors in this area

Anthong Marine Park

The trip from Koh Samui to the spectacular Angthong National Marine Park will take about 2 hours and will take in the magnificent scenery of the north coast of Samui and Koh Phangan.

In Koh Wao and Koh Tungku, the two most northern groups of islands in the Marine National Park, large schools of fish can be seen (up to 1000). The island also offer interesting caves that are safe for diving.

Snorkeling is good at Sam Sao where an extensive  span of coral reef and  huge rock arch offer scenic fascination.

Prices

Prices start at about 50$ for a one-day scuba diving trip, snorkeling full day tours at about 20 US$. There are so many good dive tour operators in Koh Samui(especially in Chaweng) that it is impossible to recommend a particular one.