| Koh Samui diving offers a number of high quality dive sites which can be dived all year. The gulf of Thailand is surrounded by the shores of South East Asian countries, is sheltered from the major oceans in the region and has calm waters, mild winds and tropical warm weather. The major dive sites around Koh Samui are easily accessible and there are sites suitable for all levels of diving. Many pelagic fish such as whale sharks frequently visit the area. There are also massive rock formations and colourful soft and hard corals.
Always dive according to your level of training. Check with your dive center for safety, additional information and level required for each dive site before entering the water.
The water temperature is between 27°C and 30°C ( 81°F and 86°F) and visibility varies between 5-40 metres (16 - 131 feet).
Diving around Koh Samui is possible all year but the best period is May to August, which is when the Andaman coast has low season. September to November come with the Northeast monsoon winds and surface swells to the islands. This results in a reduction of visibility by about 30%. Although it's rare that a trip be cancelled the ride on the boat is rather bumpy. It can also be windy and wet from November to February.
Some dive sites of Koh Samui:
Ang Thong Marine National Park is composed of 42 islands. There are many limestone outcrops here with an abuncance of Soft and black corals and you may see banded sea snakes and turtles. The preferred two spots are at Koh Wao and Hin Yippon where divers can enter shallow caves and swimthroughs. Expect occasional currents.
Samran Pinnacles has three submerged pinnacles and is close to Sail Rock dive site which located between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Beware, the currents could be strong here. Encounters with large pelagics like barracuda and jacks are frequent and there are anemones and soft corals covering the pinnacles and feeding in the currents. This site would be more suitable for the experienced diver due to the strong currents.
Koh Kra is a small remote island situated off the southeast coast of Samui. It's hardly ever dived because of its remoteness. The Island gets its name from the loggerhead turtle and it's one of the few places left in the gulf where it can still be spotted. Blacktip sharks are frequent here and manta rays have been seen. Koh Kra is usually visited only by liveaboard boats that also proceed to Koh Losin.
Koh Losin is even further out than Koh Kra. The coral and marine life is more diverse here and divers visiting Koh Losin can see sharks and mantas. Large coral bommies, plateaus and drop offs are found here. The area probably has the best visibility in the Gulf as the reef edge meets the deeper waters of the South China Sea.
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