Diving in Koh Samui is one of the most popular activities among tourists. The underwater world here is so diverse that not seeing it with your own eyes at least once is a real crime. Both beginners and experienced professionals can dive here.
Here is the list of 14 best Koh Samui dive sites to check for beginners and advanced divers as well. Keep reading this post to get more details about best season to enjoy scuba diving, dive centers and day tours.
Koh Samui Diving season
Scuba diving season in Koh Samui lasts almost all year round. Difficulties can arise only at the height of the rainy season – in November. The rest of the time, clear water and a picturesque underwater world await you.
The best underwater visibility of 30-35m is guaranteed from March to September. If your vacation falls between November and February, diving on Koh Samui is not the best idea, consider other resorts.
In October and December, the water temperature drops. It’s a great time to see sharks as they prefer colder waters. Whale sharks usually come here in March and April, in September and October. If your goal is to meet these huge marine creatures, you can also visit Philippines, where whale sharks are hand-fed for tourists attraction.
Diving in Koh Samui: the best schools
Diving centers are located throughout Koh Samui island. According to tourists, the best of them are:
- The Dive Academy;
- Discovery Dive Centre;
- Member Diving;
- 100 Degrees East Dive Team;
- CSI: SAMUI Dive School.
These diving centers have professional equipment, experienced instructors, and their own boat park. Beginners here will be taught diving basics, will be helped to deal with uniforms. You can join a group tour or take individual one. The cost varies from 1000 to 2500 baht. The price depends on the dive site and the chosen program (individual or group).
The cheapest diving programs take place near Samui itself. But if you want to experience a truly exciting experience, go to the nearby islands with an excursion diving group.
14 Dive Spots on Koh Samui
Interesting diving and snorkeling locations are on the nearby islands. There are no crowds of tourists here, and underwater inhabitants are not afraid of the noise of boats.
1. Koh Tao island
Koh Tao means turtle island in Thai. Once upon a time, many of these marine creatures lived there. Today the island is known for its diving excursions.
It takes about an hour and a half to get there by speedboat. Under water you will find rocks, deep gorges up to 40 meters, air ducts. Here you can also see sea turtles, reef sharks and Bengal snappers. And the number of multi-colored small fish can charge in the eyes.
There are over 15 dive sites around Koh Tao for beginners and experienced divers alike. Among the popular locations near the island of Koh Tao are the following:
2. Chumphon Pinnacle
The location is a 7-minute speedboat ride to the north of Koh Tao and is considered one of the best dive sites. It consists of four interconnected underwater rocks, the tops of which are located at a depth of 14 meters under water and go to a depth of 36 meters.
Because of its depth, this site is great for experienced divers. Diving groups sail far from the coast, so marine life presented there in huge variety. These are moray eels, barracudas, anemones and larger inhabitants of the deep, such as whale sharks.
Depth: from 12m to 40m (max)
Diving season:
Visibility:
On the map: link.
3. Mango bay
The most beautiful bay near Koh Tao. A great place to dive for beginners or students, and for those, who would like to master diving skills. Along the reef, you can see groupers, spotted rays, barracudas, angel fish and butterfly fish. Sometimes, far from the reef, you can also meet a seahorse. This spot is also popular among snorkeling-lovers.
Depth: varies from 2 to 15 metres
Diving season: whole year
On the map: link.
4. Nang Yuan Diving Spot
Divers are brought here by speedboat. In the depths of the water you will see coral reefs with all marine life, underwater rocks, hundreds of large and small fish and turtle. Those who do not like diving can sunbathe on the white sandy beach with a small number of tourists. You can explore many underwater caves. As diving there includes caves exploration, please make sure you have enough experience and certification.
Depth: 12 – 19 metres
Visibility: 20 m +
Diving season: whole year
On the map: link.
5. Twins
This Samui dive location consists of two groups of underwater peaks that are suitable for divers of various training, the maximum depth is about 20 meters. The popularity of this site was brought by sea anemones, which seem to be protected by a ring of stones. To the north of this point there is an area where novice divers can hone their buoyancy skills without fear of damaging the reef.
Depth: up to 20 metres
Visibility: 20 m +
Diving Season: all year
On the map: link.
6. Green Rock
You can dive to a depth of 28 meters, beginners can dive to 10 meters. You’ll find parrotfish, white-eyed moray eels, blue spotted rays and angelfish. You can also see green turtles and triggerfish hiding in the sand around the rocks.
This Koh Samui dive site is mostly for advanced divers, it also can be chosen as the place to practice deep dive. Strong currents are normal things at this place, especially during full moon. Visibility sometimes is not as good as it is at other Samui diving spots.
Depth: 6 – 28 m
Visibility: up to 20 m
Season: all year, but April and May are breeding time, so it’s better to avoid this place.
On the map: link.
7. Aow Leuk
The maximum diving depth in this place is 15 meters. This is an ideal place for those who just dive for the first time. Parrotfish, angelfish, wrasses, groupers, moray eels, rays, barracudas and triggerfish are found in abundance, as well as the opportunity to see turtles and sea snakes.
This is also a place where you can meet Black Tip Reef Sharks. So, even experienced divers will be impressed by the abundance of marine life here. During the season, Aow Leuk becomes really crowded place. There you will also find artificial corals and figures, that were installed in response to corals bleaching issues.
Depth: 15 m max
Visibility: up to 10 m
Season: all year long.
On the map: link.
8. Shark Island
Shark Island Samui dive spot is a location where you can dive day and night. Sometimes there are quite strong currents, which can spice up the feelings of diving. This diving location near Koh Tao is full of corals, flat rocks and is advised for advanced scuba divers.
This place is also known as a breeding ground for nudibranch molluscs. If you’re lucky, you might see a zebra shark resting on the sand. You can also meet a whale shark, but in this location it is extremely rare. There are many dive sites near Ang Thong National Park.
Depth: up to 28 m, on average it is 14 m
Visibility: up to 30 m
On the map: link.
9. Sail Rock
Diving Sail Rock is must-do for every dive lover. This is one of the best spots to enjoy marine line, to see beautiful and colorful schools of fish. Sail Rock dive spot is a great place for advanced open water divers. This rock is located 12 km south east from Koh Tao and during windy weather the currents can be really strong.
Sail rock that attracts many divers every year, rises 10 meters above the water and 20 meters goes under the water. If you’re looking for great wall diving opportunity, Sail Rock is the best place for this experience.
Depth: up to 40 m
Visibility: 10-40 m
On the map: link.
10. White Rock
This Samui dive spot is located just 2km off Koh Tao island. This is a great place for night diving, that will impress even the most experienced divers. If you’re looking for the shallowest point to discover at White Rock, move to the northern part of this dive location.
Start your discovery from the coral garden lying at the depth of 9 metres. On your way you will meet Barracudas, Triggerfish and other representatives of the underwater world.
Depth: up to 22 m
Visibility: 10-20 m
On the map: link.
11. Samran Pinnacles
This Samui dive site represents rock chain completely covered by the ocean. This is a great place for experienced divers. Please take a note, that due to its location in the open sea, currents at Samran pinnacles can be rather strong. Yellowback Fusiliers will impress you with their bright colors. If you are into macro photography, this dive spot is a place to take great pictures.
Depth: up to 28 m, min is 9 m
Visibility: up to 30 m, depending on conditions
On the map: link.
12. South West Pinnacles
This dive site on Samui is always underestimated, because divers make their choice in favor of Chumphon Pinnacle. South West Pinnacles present the range of rocks that are set as a circle.
This is a great place to explore for advanced open water divers. This dive spot is located in open ocean, so currents here can be strong and visibility can change in a short period of time. If you’re lucky enough and enjoy underwater photography, that’s a place you should visit.
Depth: 6 – 28 m
Visibility: up to 20 m
On the map: link.
13. Hin Wong Bay
Hin Wong Bay dive site is located on the north east of Koh Tao. It is great place not only for scuba divers, but for those who enjoy snorkeling. Choose the south of Hin Wong Bay for snorkeling. There you’ll find corals, sponges and schools of colourful fish. On the north, you have to be more attentive, as there are many places to marine creatures to hide from prying eyes.
Depth: up to 20 m
Visibility: up to 10 m
On the map: link.
14. Koh Yippon
If you’re looking for something special, make sure to visit Koh Yippon, which is located in national marine park Ang Thong. You can explore shallow caves, enjoy snorkeling and beatiful views on lush greenery rocks. Currents there can be quite strong and visibility is not so good.
Depth:
Visibility: up to 15 m
If diving is not for you, then choose the entertainment on Koh Samui that suits your taste. The island offers tourists many options for both active and relaxing holidays. Here you can ride bikes or water ski, go on a safari or go to one of the best parks in Koh Samui.
Samui Diving FAQ
As there are a lot of great dive sites on Koh Samui, for divers of different level of training, this Thai island is worth visiting.
Yes, but sharks are rather rare visitors on Koh Samui and this island is not attractive for agressive shark species, like white sharks.
Yes, you can explore the underwater world near Koh Samui that will impress with its abundance. You can still enjoy snorkeling on Samui beaches, but for the best experience visit nearby small islands.
Both of mentioned places offer great diving opportunities. But most divers prefer Koh Tao for the abundance of locations and marine life diversity.
