Koh Tao: Not Just for Newbies! My Guide for Experienced Divers (Updated 2025)
Alright, let’s talk Koh Tao. You hear the name, and maybe you think “Open Water courses” and first-time bubbles. And yeah, it’s a world-class spot for that. But if you’ve got serious dives under your belt and think Koh Tao doesn’t have anything for you… think again. I’ve been exploring these waters for ages, and there’s a whole other side to this island that keeps guys like us coming back.
Forget the marketing spin. Here’s the real deal on Koh Tao’s top spots for advanced and tec divers, especially with the exciting new additions.
The Big Boys: Pinnacles & Deep Dives
This is where the real magic happens. Deeper, sometimes trickier, always awesome.
- Chumphon Pinnacle: A must-do. It’s a huge granite pinnacle starting around 14 meters, dropping past 35. Think massive schools of barracuda and trevally. Still your best bet for whale sharks in Koh Tao. It gets busy, but some things are worth sharing.
- Southwest Pinnacle: Another deep cracker. Feels a bit wilder than Chumphon. Covered in anemones, packed with groupers. It’s got that “anything could show up” vibe that never gets old.
- Sail Rock: The king. Yes, it is a longer boat trip, no doubt. But you just have to do it. It’s a massive rock tower shooting up from the depths, full of nooks, crannies, and that awesome vertical swim-through, “The Chimney.” It’s a full day, but the payoff is legendary.
- Green Rock: This one’s just fun. It’s a playground of swim-throughs and little canyons. Just watch out for the Titan Triggerfish if they’re nesting!
Sunken Treasures: Wreck Diving (Rec & Tec!)
This is where things have gotten really interesting lately.
- HTMS Sattakut: The classic Koh Tao wreck. This old WWII ship sits perfectly around 30 meters. Great size to explore and fantastic for Wreck Specialty courses. A solid advanced dive in Koh Tao.
- The NEW Kids on the Block – HTMS Suphairin & HTMS Hanhak Sattru: This is big news! Sunk back in late 2023, these two former Royal Thai Navy fast attack craft are now open for business.
- HTMS Suphairin (313): Sitting near No Name Pinnacle, maxing out around 28m.
- HTMS Hanhak Sattru (312): Found over on the east side in Aow Mao, around 24m deep.
- These are fantastic additions, settling in nicely and already attracting life. Best part? Having wrecks on both sides means we can pretty much wreck dive year-round now, regardless of the weather.
- For the Tec Heads – The Unicorn & The Torpedo: Looking for something deeper? Koh Tao is a great base for tech.
- The Unicorn: Sits around 50m. It’s known for being covered in nets, so definitely a tec-only proposition, needing proper training and gear.
- The Torpedo: A 70m cargo ship lying between 45-55m. Another exclusive for the technical diving community.
- These aren’t your average fun dives; they’re serious technical wreck diving targets.
Beyond the Obvious: Reefs & Quirky Stuff
Don’t just hit the famous spots.
- White Rock: Still the go-to for night dives, but a solid day dive too.
- Shark Island: Named for its shape. Currents can make it interesting, great soft corals.
- Junkyard Reef: Sounds weird, is weird, but in a good way. Brilliant for macro.
Why Bother with Koh Tao Now?
- Variety: More sites than ever, from easy reefs to deep tech wrecks.
- Accessibility: Most sites are still a short boat ride away.
- Pro & Tec Hub: It’s the place to go pro or get into technical diving.
- It’s Easy: Great infrastructure makes diving simple.
Don’t write off Koh Tao as just a beginner’s pool. With these new wrecks and established deep sites, it’s a serious destination for experienced divers looking for adventure. Maybe I’ll see you out on the boat.
Dive deep, dive safe.
