Koh Tao
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Why dive in Koh Tao?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 10
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Variable Frequent sightingsBlacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
A small, agile requiem shark recognized by the distinctive black tips on its dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins. Commonly found patrolling shallow coral reefs and lagoons, it is one of the most frequently encountered reef sharks in the Indo-Pacific.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Great Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
The Great Barracuda is a large predatory fish known for its fearsome appearance and speed. It has an elongated body, pointed head, and large teeth, making it a proficient hunter in coastal and open waters.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsGreen Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile distinguished by its heart-shaped carapace and a single pair of prefrontal scales.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHawksbill Sea Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a medium-sized marine turtle recognizable by its distinctive hawk-like beak and overlapping scutes, which create a serrated edge on its carapace. Primarily found in tropical coral reefs, it plays a crucial role in these ecosystems by feeding mainly on sponges, which are toxic to most other animals. This species is critically endangered due to historical exploitation for its beautiful shell and ongoing threats like habitat loss and bycatch.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Humphead Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
The Humphead Wrasse is one of the largest reef fish, identifiable by a prominent hump on its forehead and thick fleshy lips. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals are born female and some transition to males later in life. This carnivorous species plays a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems by preying on hard-shelled invertebrates and toxic animals like the crown-of-thorns starfish.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsOcellated Eagle Ray
Aetobatus ocellatus
The Ocellated Eagle Ray, also known as the Whitespotted Eagle Ray, is a large ray characterized by a dark greenish-grey to black dorsal surface covered with numerous white spots, and a white underside. It possesses a flattened, diamond-shaped body, a prominent snout, and a long, whip-like tail armed with venomous spines. This species primarily feeds on hard-shelled invertebrates, such as mollusks and crustaceans, which it crushes with its specialized dental plates.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsPickhandle Barracuda
Sphyraena jello
The Pickhandle Barracuda is characterized by its elongated body, prominent jaw, and distinctive dark bars on its back. It inhabits warm coastal waters and is known to be a top predator, primarily feeding on smaller fish.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsReef Manta Ray
Mobula alfredi
The Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi) is a large filter-feeding ray found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily around coral reefs and coastal areas. Known for its pelagic lifestyle, it feeds on zooplankton and exhibits complex social behaviors, often forming aggregations at feeding or cleaning stations. This species is listed as Vulnerable due to threats from overfishing and its slow reproductive rate.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsTitan Triggerfish
Balistoides viridescens
The Titan Triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) is the largest species of triggerfish, reaching up to 75 cm in length, with a distinctive greyish-green body and a "moustache" pattern around its mouth. It is known for its powerful jaws and teeth, which it uses to crush the shells of sea urchins, crabs, molluscs, and coral. This diurnal fish is highly territorial, especially when guarding its nest, and can exhibit aggressive behavior towards intruders, including divers.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsWhale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and a gentle filter feeder.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 57
Barred MorayEchidna polyzona
Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus
Black DurgonMelichthys niger
Blue-Ringed OctopusHapalochlaena spp.
Blue-barred ParrotfishScarus ghobban
Bluecheek ButterflyfishChaetodon semilarvatus
Bluering AngelfishPomacanthus annularis
Bluespotted CornetfishFistularia commersonii
Bluespotted Ribbontail RayTaeniura lymma
Bluestreak Cleaner WrasseLabroides dimidiatus
Blunt-head ParrotfishChlorurus microrhinos
Brownbanded Bamboo SharkChiloscyllium punctatum
Bullethead ParrotfishChlorurus sordidus
Clark's AnemonefishAmphiprion clarkii
Clown TriggerfishBalistoides conspicillum
Dogtooth TunaGymnosarda unicolor
Ember ParrotfishScarus rubroviolaceus
Emperor AngelfishPomacanthus imperator
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicus
Giant TrevallyCaranx ignobilis
Giant clamTridacna gigas
Greyface MorayGymnothorax thyrsoideus
Guineafowl PufferArothron meleagris
Jenkins' WhiprayPateobatis jenkinsii
Leaf ScorpionfishTaenianotus triacanthus
Longtail Butterfly RayGymnura poecilura
MandarinfishSynchiropus splendidus
Mimic OctopusThaumoctopus mimicus
Ocellaris ClownfishAmphiprion ocellaris
Orange-lined TriggerfishBalistapus undulatus
Orbicular BatfishPlatax orbicularis
Ornate Ghost PipefishSolenostomus paradoxus
Painted FrogfishAntennarius pictus
Painted Spiny LobsterPanulirus versicolor
Pennant CoralfishHeniochus acuminatus
Potato GrouperEpinephelus tukula
Redtooth TriggerfishOdonus niger
Regal AngelfishPygoplites diacanthus
Ribbon EelRhinomuraena quaesita
Saddleback ClownfishAmphiprion polymnus
Silver SweeperPempheris schwenkii
Snowflake MorayEchidna nebulosa
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
Spotted Eagle RayAetobatus narinari
Spotted SeahorseHippocampus kuda
StonefishSynanceia verrucosa
Teira BatfishPlatax teira
Threadfin ButterflyfishChaetodon auriga
Tomato ClownfishAmphiprion frenatus
Whitetip Reef SharkTriaenodon obesus
Yellow BoxfishOstracion cubicus
Yellow Longnose ButterflyfishForcipiger flavissimus
Yellow-lipped Sea KraitLaticauda colubrina
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Yellowspot TrevallyCarangoides fulvoguttatus
Zebra SharkStegostoma tigrinum
Where is Koh Tao
Gulf of Thailand · Thailand
Frequently asked questions about Koh Tao
When is the best time to dive in Koh Tao?
The best time to dive in Koh Tao is from February to May and in September. In those months the water is between 27°C and 30°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Koh Tao?
Divers can encounter 67 species in Koh Tao. Highlights include Blacktip Reef Shark, Great Barracuda, Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Humphead Wrasse, and Ocellated Eagle Ray.
When can you see the Ocellated Eagle Ray in Koh Tao?
The Ocellated Eagle Ray is most often seen in Koh Tao from March to October.
When can you see the Reef Manta Ray in Koh Tao?
The Reef Manta Ray is most often seen in Koh Tao from April to September.
When can you see the Whale Shark in Koh Tao?
The Whale Shark is most often seen in Koh Tao from April to September.
What is the water temperature in Koh Tao?
Water temperature in Koh Tao ranges from 26°C in November to 30°C in March.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Koh Tao?
Most divers wear a 3 mm wetsuit in November, when the water drops to 26°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in March, when it reaches 30°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in Koh Tao?
Visibility in Koh Tao ranges from 5 m to 30 m. The water is clearest from February to May.
What are the currents like in Koh Tao?
Divers in Koh Tao can expect moderate, light, strong, or very strong currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Koh Tao?
After dark, Koh Tao reveals nocturnal species such as Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray, Brownbanded Bamboo Shark, Giant Moray, Greyface Moray, Leaf Scorpionfish, and Painted Spiny Lobster.
Where is Koh Tao located?
Koh Tao is a dive destination in Thailand, in the Gulf of Thailand.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Koh Tao. Spotted something that looks off?
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