Koh Tao

Chumphon Pinnacle is Koh Tao's most celebrated dive site — a cluster of granite pinnacles rising from 36 m to about 14 m with a resident school of massive chevron barracuda, whale sharks in season, and large grouper. Strong currents keep the water clear and the marine life dense, so advanced buoyancy skills are essential. It is accessible only by boat and sits about 13 km from Koh Tao's west coast.

Sail Rock is a dramatic vertical granite pinnacle rising from 40 m to 10 m above the sea surface between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, famous for its vertical chimney running through the rock and predictable whale shark sightings from January to May. Enormous schools of fusiliers and jacks circle the pinnacle while bull sharks patrol the depths. It offers perhaps the best single-dive experience in the Gulf of Thailand.

Southwest Pinnacle is a series of large granite pinnacles at 18–33 m depth that collectively form Koh Tao's second most famous dive. Giant grouper, juvenile whale sharks, and sea turtles are regulars, and the overhangs at 18 m shelter impressive soft coral gardens. Current can be strong and unpredictable, so this is recommended for divers with 20 or more dives.

White Rock is Koh Tao's most popular training and recreational site, consisting of two large submerged granite pinnacles connected by a sandy gully at around 14 m. The site is ideal for Open Water students and night dives alike, with lion fish, moray eels, blue-spotted rays, and frequently visiting hawksbill turtles. Minimal current and good visibility year-round make it a mainstay for local dive schools.

Gulf Fins is a laidback, eco-conscious dive centre on Koh Tao's Sairee Beach side, beloved by long-term island residents and backpacker divers for its small groups and highly personalised instruction. They specialise in tech diving courses and nitrox fills alongside standard recreational training, and their guides know every macro critter hotspot around the island — from ghost pipefish to blue-ringed octopus. Night dives off Ao Leuk Bay are a house speciality, revealing the reef's dramatic transformation after dark.

Tao Dive Academy is one of Koh Tao's most respected dive schools, running SSI courses from Open Water through to instructor training at some of Thailand's most iconic dive sites including Chumphon Pinnacle and Southwest Pinnacle. The Gulf of Thailand's warm, clear waters are ideal for beginner divers, with healthy populations of whale sharks visiting Chumphon Pinnacle between March and September. The academy maintains a strong environmental ethos, participating in regular reef clean-ups and coral restoration programs.