Master Divers — Koh Tao Dive Report 10.11 to 16.11
Location: Koh Tao, Gulf of Thailand
Next week on Koh Tao looks like a mix of conditions. Expect some sunny spells but also be prepared for rain showers, especially in the latter half of the week. The seas will generally be moderate, but can get choppy with stronger winds.
☔ Rain
Early Week: Scattered showers are possible, but significant rainfall is less likely.
Mid to Late Week: The chances of rain showers, possibly heavy at times, increase. This aligns with the strengthening winds which can bring more moisture. Be prepared for wet weather, especially from Wednesday onwards.
💨 Wind
Early Week (Nov 10-12): Expect light to moderate breezes, primarily from the North-East (NE). Wind speeds will likely range from 5-15 knots (9-28 km/h). These conditions are generally favorable for most activities, with calmer seas on the leeward (western) side of the island.
Mid to Late Week (Nov 13-16): The wind is expected to strengthen and shift more to the East (E) or North-East (NE), potentially reaching 15-25 knots (28-46 km/h), with occasional stronger gusts. This will make the eastern side of the island rougher, and could affect boat transfers depending on the direction and strength.
🌊 Swell & Waves
Swell Direction: Predominantly from the East (E) or North-East (NE), aligning with the wind direction.
Swell Height:
- Early Week: Around 0.5 – 1.0 meter (1.5 – 3 feet).
- Mid to Late Week: Could increase to 1.0 – 2.0 meters (3 – 6.5 feet), especially on the exposed eastern coasts.
Waves: Expect chop on top of the swell, particularly when winds are stronger. The western bays of Koh Tao will offer more protection from the primary swell and wind direction.
🌙 Tides & Currents
Tides around Koh Tao will follow a typical twice-daily pattern.
High Tide: Expect high tides generally in the morning and again in the late afternoon/evening.
Low Tide: Low tides will occur around midday and in the early morning/late night.
The exact times and heights will vary daily and can be checked with a specific tide chart closer to the dates, as they are influenced by the moon phase.
Underwater Visibility
Visibility this week has been variable across different dive sites, meaning conditions can change throughout the day depending on wind and current strength. When the water isn’t perfectly clear, it’s a great opportunity to slow things down and focus on the smaller marine life. Keep your eyes peeled for colorful nudibranchs, camouflaged shrimps, and tiny hermit crabs hiding among the coral, you’ll be surprised at how much life there is when you take the time to look closely.
At Master Divers we pick our sites on a day to day basis, because we want you to have the best possible conditions for diving. Our goal is to give you an optimal dive experience every day.
Marine Life Highlights
Divers have reported frequent sightings of curious pufferfish hovering calmly over the sandy patches, while blue-spotted stingrays have been gliding gracefully along the reef edges and under coral ledges. Out in the blue, schools of barracudas have been cruising through the water column, providing an impressive display for those exploring the deeper sites. Whether you’re on a relaxed fun dive or a training session, there’s been plenty to see and enjoy beneath the surface.
Recommendations for Divers
As the water temperature will be a steady 28-29 degrees celsius, a 3 mm shorty or rashie should suffice, unless you are prone to be cold in which case a full 3mm should be fine.
Be aware of changing conditions on the dive sites, so remember your training, dive within your limits and have fun!
Dive safe and see you underwater! 🐬
