Koh Tao is an up and coming dive center, following close on the heels of Samui as its infrastructure improves. You reach Koh Tao by boat in about five hours from Samui. Much of the beachfront accommodation is still fairly pretty basic, but is already beginning to improve.
[R-p8]The island''s name in Thai means "Turtle Island" and on a clear day you can see its distinctive humped shape 55 km away on Samui. Apart from its turtle-shape, it does in fact play host to sea turtles who every year crawl up the beaches to lay their eggs in the sand. For divers, the island is far enough offshore to be away from riverine sediments from the mainland, and the waters are exceptionally clear. Some of the best diving can be had at around 18 meters, an easy depth for novices, and there are many shallow sites for snorkelers.
[L-p9] Ao Leuk is just off the island and offers depths of up to 12 metres, a very relaxing way to unwind after the journey from Samui. Some unusual rock formations can be seen here, with clumps of sponges and some sea whips. Staghorn coral is home to schools of small white spotted damsel fish.
For a night dive, Koh Nang Yuan is just 25 minutes from Koh Tao. There is a sheltered bay on the eastern side of the islet which is ideal with depths of up to12 meters.
[L-p10] In the light of your torch you will surprise nocturnal fish and crustaceans, and some of the shy fish which spend the day deep in caves and crevices and only come out at night.
Chumporn is also emergine as a dive center, with day dive programs to offshore islands located just one or two hours from the coast.
The dive sites surrounding the islands of Koh Ngam Noi and Koh Ngam Yai offer some very comfortable depths of between 10 and 18 meters, and the sea is very calm here. There are also some interesting swim-throught, hard and soft coral, and a huge variety of fish. The islands are famed for more than their diving sites: the caves and crannies here are home to the swifts who build those nests so highly prized by lovers of Chinese food the world over.
The outcrops of Hin Lak Ngan and Hin Pae offer excellent dive sites with depths going to 25 metres or more. The rock walls are riddled with crevices, holes and caves, and if you hover gently outside these you may be rewarded with a pair of eyes peeping curiously back at you.
It takes an experienced skipper to find the Northern Pinnacles, Located about 40 minutes from Koh Tao, and only recently discovered. He steers by taking readings off distant landmarks, and it is rather like a treasure hunt. Once you have found the place, there is plenty of excitement, and it is well worth the excursion. Man-sized groupers, Spanish mackerel and eagle ray are all part of the marine life. You can swim through gorges and there is a cave at 25 meters which, if you enter and swim upwards through the funnel in the roof, will bring you out at a depth of 18 meters.
Progressing from novice to the kind of experience levels which allow you to tackle some of the more fascinating dives is highly satisfying.
