To
the south of the main site lies Barracuda Rock which,
as it's name suggests, usually hosts large shoals of Great
Barracuda.
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 still available
to see, are the Spanish Mackerel, and some 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 !
- Top
Of Page
Southwest
Pinnacle
Situated 13km southwest 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 Pinnacle, S.W Pinnacle 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 southeast of the main site lies a smaller pinnacle,
which is home to two resident, if somewhat shy Leopard
sharks.
Huge,
powerful groupers live in the site's caves and canyons,
and in season privileged divers can share the clear, deep
blue waters with the visiting Manta Rays and Whale sharks!
The site has no shortage of smaller occupants, with impressive
schools of Snapper, Emperor fish and Sweet lips.
- Top
Of Page
Shark
Island
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, while
the renowned "fish junction" off the northern end of the
dive site provides excellent photographic opportunities.
Shark
Island occasionally plays host to visiting Reef sharks
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.
Although
Shark Island is suitable for divers of all experience
levels strong currents may occasionally be encountered,
especially around full moon, allowing the possibility
of exciting drift dives.
- Top
Of Page
White
Rock
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. You may also
be lucky enough to see a Hawksbill Turtle on its nocturnal
ramblings amid the phosphorescence-tinted waters.
- Top
Of Page
Green
Rock
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.
The
outer parts of the site play host to shoals of electric
Blue Damsel fish, Tube Anemones with tiny translucent
shrimps (for those with keen eyesight) Emperors,
Angel fish and the occasional Turtle.
|
Just
to the northwest of the main pinnacle, lying in 22m depth,
is the 'Trigger Pit". This area is one of the primary
breeding grounds for the resident Yellow Margin triggerfish
around Koh Tao.
It
is characterized by the large nesting hollows excavated
by the breeding pairs which are usually guarded by vigilant
parents to be, who spend most of their day chasing away
unwelcome egg thieves, and other Triggers looking for
a nesting spot.
During
the breeding season spectacular displays, resembling World
War aerial dogfights, can be seen over the “Trigger Pit”
by protective families.
- Top
Of Page
Koh
Nang Yuan Bay
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.
- Top
Of Page
Koh
Tao's East Side
The sparsely populated east side of the island boasts
a number of unusual dive sites. Sites here include Lighthouse,
a favorite place for turtle spotting, Hin Wong
Pinnacle with its stunning blue soft corals at
26m.
Laem
Tien for exploring a series of connected swim-throughs
and canyons, and Aow Leuk Point with cornfield
like areas of whip corals. These sites also offer the
chance of encountering Banded Sea Snakes, Unicorn Surgeonfish
and the occasional passing Black-tip and Grey Reef sharks.
- Top
Of Page
