Koh Samui and Koh Tao for divers
A collaboration between Tabiara (travel guides) and divefever (dive-site atlases by a divemaster).
You land on Koh Samui, but the dive sites sit around Koh Tao, Sail Rock and Ang Thong. This page shows which island to sleep on, how the boats run and which months to pick.
Below the surface: whale sharks at Chumphon Pinnacle and Sail Rock, blacktip reef sharks in Shark Bay, the HTMS Sattakut wreck.
One trip, two guides
Tabiara plans Koh Samui on land. divefever covers the dive sites around Koh Tao and the trips from Samui.
Above water · Tabiara
Koh Samui Travel Guide – Complete Master Guide (PDF)
Arrival at USM or by ferry via Surat Thani, six beach areas compared, ten day routes.
- Bophut, Chaweng, Lamai, Maenam, Choeng Mon, west coast
- Taxis, songthaews, scooters, boat trips
- English, Spanish or German edition
Under water · divefever
Tauchatlas Koh Tao und Koh Samui
A dive-site atlas for Koh Tao, Sail Rock and Ang Thong, written by a divemaster: harbours, boat times, a dive week plan.
German-language edition
Which island to sleep on
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Koh Tao
Sites on the doorstep
Boats 10 to 25 minutes to the sites, usually two dives per trip, twice a day. No airport: you arrive by ferry.
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Koh Phangan
Shortest way to Sail Rock
Sail Rock lies between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. A quieter base if you mainly want that site.
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Koh Samui
Airport and hotel choice
Half-day trips with two dives and hotel pickup to Sail Rock, Koh Tao, Chumphon Pinnacle and Ang Thong. Best if not everyone in your group dives.
Which month for the Gulf of Thailand
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Calm or good seasonMonsoon, boats switch sidesMonsoon peak, fewest dives
Water is 27 to 30 °C. January and February bring calm seas and clear water, March to May the best whale-shark chances. From late October the north-east monsoon sets in; November has the heaviest rain, and in December boats dive the sheltered west side.
Everything for Koh Samui on land
Each title also works on its own.
Koh Samui Travel Guide – Complete Master Guide (PDF)
Koh Samui Itineraries – 10 Day Routes + 3, 5 & 7-Day Plans
Where to Stay in Koh Samui – Best Areas Compared
Koh Samui Airport to Hotel Guide – Arrival & Transfers
Koh Samui Travel Confidence Kit – Getting Around & Problem Solvers
Koh Samui Offline Place Guide – 23 Curated Places (PDF, CSV, HTML)
Koh Samui Travel Planner – Printable PDF + Excel Budget Workbook
Questions people ask
Koh Tao or Koh Samui for diving?
Koh Tao if diving is the main goal: the sites are 10 to 25 minutes away. Koh Samui if you want the airport, more hotels and half-day dive trips with hotel pickup.
When can you see whale sharks near Koh Tao?
Dive centres name March to May as the best chance, and logbooks record many sightings in September. No one can guarantee an encounter.
Can beginners dive around Koh Tao?
Yes. Japanese Gardens at Koh Nang Yuan and Aow Leuk bay are shallow beginner sites. With Open Water certification, centres take you to Sail Rock down to 18 m.
Is diving possible in December?
Yes, but it is north-east monsoon season. Boats move to the sheltered west side of Koh Tao, and some days are cancelled.
More dive-and-travel articles
Practical articles on diving and travel.
divefever is an independent shop. Its dive-site atlases are published in German; Tabiara guides come in English, Spanish and German. Seasons and rules change, so check them with your dive centre and official sources before you travel.