The gorgeous island of Koh Tao types a part of the Chumphon Archipelago on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. This idyllic island is a tropical paradise with white sand seashores fringed with palm bushes, rugged cliffs, and gorgeous sunsets. Koh Tao’s underwater surroundings is simply as spectacular, with coral encrusted rock pinnacles, vibrant reefs, and a few nice shipwrecks. Koh Tao affords the chance to see passing pelagics, together with whale sharks, leopard sharks, and manta rays. While you’re not looking to the blue, you’ll be mesmerized by the plethora of colourful reef fish throughout you.
Why Dive in Koh Tao?
Koh Tao has one thing for each stage of diver. You’ll discover calm, protected bays appropriate for newbies and unbelievable drifts, pinnacles, and deep dives for extra skilled divers.
Diving in Koh Tao affords heat waters (84°F/29°C), and equally glorious visibility. When you’re not underwater, you’ll discover limitless alternatives on land. Take pleasure in the whole lot from trekking and exploring to chilling out in a hammock whereas watching the sundown over the ocean.
The Greatest Koh Tao Marine Life
What Koh Tao marine life are you able to count on to see whereas diving? Arising subsequent are only a few of the underwater highlights of this gorgeous vacation spot.
1. Whale Sharks
That is most likely some of the iconic species that divers from world wide hope to see. Though these sleek giants will be noticed (albeit not often) yr spherical, through the months of April and Might whale sharks are extra commonly seen at Chumphon Pinnacle, Southwest Pinnacle, and Sail Rock. Look out for them cruising via the blue, feeding, and being cleaned by cleaner wrasse.
2. Inexperienced Sea Turtles
Inexperienced sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are a spotlight of diving at websites similar to Tanote Bay and Shark Bay. These stunning turtles can dwell from 80 to 100 years making them one of many longest residing of Koh Tao’s marine species.
3. Barracuda
There are 29 identified species of barracuda, and in Koh Tao, you’ll mostly see spectacular colleges of chevron barracuda. You may additionally spot particular person predatory large barracuda. Whether or not it’s a college or an enormous, hungry-looking large, barracuda by no means fail to impress.
4. Blacktip Reef Shark
Blacktip Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) are a medium-sized shark that’s presently listed by the IUCN (The Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature) as susceptible. Nonetheless, in Koh Tao, divers are lucky to see these sharks cruising across the reefs – usually in giant numbers. No matter their standing, blacktips are an important a part of any Koh Tao underwater journey.
5. Moray Eels
Moray eels will be noticed at nearly all Koh Tao dive websites. White-eyed, white-mouthed, large, and starry morays peer out from underneath ledges and in crevices. Attempt evening dives in Koh Tao and witness morays swimming freely as they hunt prey on the reef.
Do you know that morays are sometimes misunderstood? They open and shut their mouths which will be perceived as a menace to chew; nonetheless, they’re merely respiratory. The opening and shutting of their mouths forces water via their gills, guaranteeing they’ve the oxygen they should survive!
6. Blue-Noticed Stingrays
You’ll have the perfect probability of seeing a blue-spotted stingray when diving Twins or Southwest Pinnacle. Throughout the day, these rays are exceptionally shy and spend their time resting on the sand – normally beneath ledges or in recesses. Regardless of their brilliant blue spots, they’re masters of camouflage that may burrow their method underneath the sand.
7. Titan Triggerfish
Titan triggerfish are the biggest species of triggerfish. They are often noticed at dive websites throughout Koh Tao and are extremely distinctive as a result of their swimming type. Have you ever noticed that they swim utilizing a waving movement with their dorsal and tail fins? This swimming method means they’re one of many solely fish that may swim ahead, backward, and even hover over the reef!
You would possibly discover the triggerfish’s territorial nature when diving in koh Tao. They nest on the reef and, through the breeding interval, they may shield their nest ferociously from something that swims over the nest, till it’s out of the neighborhood.
8. Cuttlefish
Though Koh Tao’s dive websites are residence to a mess of cephalopods, the broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) is without doubt one of the mostly noticed species. Watching two cuttlefish come collectively and mating is a spotlight of diving right here. If they aren’t mating, look out for females rigorously laying eggs among the many branching corals. You would possibly even spot clutches of eggs whereas swimming by!
9. Nudibranch
If you’re a macro underwater photographer, then Koh Tao doesn’t disappoint. You’ll discover an array of nudibranch in a rainbow of colours. The species change seasonally all year long, and it’s usually attainable to see ribbons of nudibranch eggs on the reef. What number of species does Koh Tao provide? It’s practically unattainable to depend!
10. Anemonefish
Whereas this would possibly seem to be an apparent alternative, there are a number of species of anemonefish to be discovered round Koh Tao. These characterful fish will defend their houses fiercely. Do you know that the biggest anemonefish on any anemone is the feminine? Different anemonefish round her are males and when the feminine passes away, the biggest male adjustments gender to feminine and takes her place!
E book Your Koh Tao Journey Now
In conclusion, whether or not you need to dive with the biggest fish on this planet or spot tiny nudibranchs, diving in Koh Tao is filled with surprises. If you’re able to e-book your journey, head over to PADI Journey now.
Many due to Batuhan N. GANIZ, PADI Grasp Teacher, for supplying the pictures on this weblog. You may see extra of Batuhan’s work on his Instagram web page.
