If you're planning a dive trip in the Gulf of Thailand, chances are you’ve come across both Koh Samui and Koh Tao as potential bases. While both islands have their own vibe, when it comes to diving, the choice is pretty clear.
There are only a handful of top dive spots in this part of the Gulf:
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Koh Tao: with over 25 dive sites.
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Sail Rock: a stunning pinnacle in open water between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
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Northern Ang Thong Marine Park: a remote and less-frequented option with limited access
The real difference isn’t just location, it’s how much time you spend traveling vs. actually diving, how much it costs, and how smooth (or rough) the trip is.
Keep reading to find out why Koh Tao is the top diving destination in the Gulf, and why diving from Koh Samui might not be what you’re hoping for.
Koh Samui: Beautiful Island, But Not for Diving
First things first: there are no real dive or snorkel sites directly around Koh Samui.
The waters surrounding the island are shallow, silty, and often murky, which means visibility is poor and there’s not much to see underwater close to shore. While Samui is a beautiful holiday destination with stunning resorts, great food, and beaches, it’s not a diving destination.. So if you’re staying on Samui and want to dive, you’ll actually be traveling elsewhere, typically to Koh Tao!
Dive Trips from Koh Samui
Diving from Koh Samui usually involves:
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A 1.5-hour speedboat ride just to reach Koh Tao
→ With hotel pick-ups, gear prep, and return transfers, that’s a 6+ hour round trip and roughly 8 hours total for just two dives.
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Or a 1-hour ride to Sail Rock
→ Once you include hotel transfers and waiting, expect 2+ hours each way.
The rides aren’t always smooth either, speedboats can be loud, bumpy, and occasionally rough, especially if the weather shifts. And your surface interval? Still on that same rocking boat. Not fun if you’re prone to seasickness.
Costs are higher, too, due to longer distances and fuel use.
While Samui dive operators are pro and well-equipped, the reality is simple:
You spend more time commuting than diving.
Dive Trips from Koh Tao
Now compare that to Koh Tao diving, where a compact island setup means dive sites are just 5 to 30 minutes away by spacious, stable boats.
The waters around the island are crystal clear, full of vibrant marine life, and ideal for both beginners and pros. With short boat rides, you get:
Add to that:
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Some of the most affordable PADI courses and fun dives in the world
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A laid-back, dive-centered community
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Everything right at your doorstep
Wake up, stroll to the dive shop, and you’re on the boat before your coffee’s even cooled.
| Factor |
Koh Tao |
Koh Samui |
| Dive sites nearby |
(5- 30 min boat rides) |
(1-1:30 hr speedboat each way) |
| Water conditions |
Clear, great visibility |
Silty, poor visibility near shore |
| Travel time to sites |
Very short for Koh Tao sites; ~3 hrs round trip to Sail Rock |
6+ hrs round trip to Koh Tao, 2+ hrs to Sail Rock |
| Comfort |
Chill, spacious boats |
Speedboats, rough in bad weather |
| Cost |
Lower (shorter distance/fuel) |
Higher (fuel-heavy logistics) |
| Dive vibe |
Dive-focused community |
Resorts + full-day excursions |
Best Plan? Combine Both
Spend a few days relaxing on Koh Samui, enjoy the beaches, great food, and nightlife.
Then hop over to Koh Tao for 3-5 days of epic diving. The ferry ride is easy, and 100% worth it!
At Coral Grand Divers, we run daily 2-tank trips from our own comfy boat right at our beachfront dive center:
Morning Trip (06:15–10:50): Offshore and deep sites like Chumphon Pinnacle, Southwest Pinnacle, HTMS Sattakut Wreck, and more.
Afternoon Trip (12:15–16:15): Easy-going, shallow sites like Twins, Japanese Garden, Aow Leuk, and more.
Fun Dive Packages for certified divers
(Each trip = 2 dives)
• 1 trip: 1,800 THB
• 2 trips: 3,400 THB
• 3 trips: 4,800 THB
• 4 trips: 6,200 THB
• 5 trips: 7,000 THB
• 6+ trips: 1,400 THB per trip
If you haven’t dived in a year or more, you may need a Refresher: 1,500 THB in our training pool, or 700 THB in the sea.
Night dives: Available on request! 1 dive for 1,500 THB.
All trips include:
• FREE gear rental
• Insurance coverage
• Divemaster guidance (small groups: 4 same-level divers per guide)
• Refreshments (water, tea, coffee, fruits, cookies, jam & bread)
• Fishtastic vibes
Not certified yet? Try our 1-day Discover Scuba Diving program or get fully certified with the 3-day PADI Open Water course, Koh Tao is definitely the place to do it!
Send us a message, and we’ll help you plan your perfect Koh Tao dive adventure. Let’s make it happen, fins on, bubbles up, and sea you underwater soon!
