Koh Thong Kaeo / เกาะทองแก้ว - Gulf of Thailand
Koh Thong Kaeo is a shallow, gentle spot in the Gulf, perfect for getting back in the water or doing your first few dives. We often find ourselves drifting over a mix of sand and scattered coral patches, watching for gobies and their pistol shrimp companions. Look closely in the nooks and crannies of the small rock formations and you might spot a juvenile lionfish or a moray eel peeking out. It's not a dramatic wall dive, but for easy, relaxed bottom time, especially if you’re still getting comfortable with your buoyancy, it's a solid choice.
- Location
- Gulf of Thailand, Thailand, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 10.195900, 99.220800
- Maximum Depth
- 11m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Mu ko Chumphon
Best Time to Dive in Gulf of Thailand
The warmest water temperatures in Gulf of Thailand occur in January, averaging 28.2°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.2°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.2°C (air: 26.9°C)
- February: 28.2°C (air: 27.3°C)
- March: 28.2°C (air: 28.2°C)
- April: 28.2°C (air: 29.1°C)
- May: 28.2°C (air: 29.1°C)
- June: 28.2°C (air: 28.6°C)
- July: 28.2°C (air: 28.1°C)
- August: 28.2°C (air: 28.2°C)
- September: 28.2°C (air: 27.6°C)
- October: 28.2°C (air: 27.2°C)
- November: 28.2°C (air: 27.0°C)
- December: 28.2°C (air: 26.8°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Gulf of Thailand
- Ao Cheweng
- Ao Kruad - 10m
- Ao Mook - 15m
- Ao Tien - 14m
- Aow Leuk - 8m
- Aow Lok Gum / อ่าวลกกำ - 9m
- Ban Pla Aow TongTom (Artificial)/ บ้านปลา อ่าวท้องตม - 10m (wreck)
- Bio Rock - 14m (reef)
- Buddha Rock - 5-25m (pinnacle)
- Buoyancy World - 14m
- Chalok Bay - 10m (reef)
- Chip Chip Wreck - 29m (wreck)
- Chong Talu - 16m
- Chumphon Pinnacle - 24m (pinnacle)
- Construction Artificial Reef - 18m (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Koh Thong Kaeo / เกาะทองแก้ว
- Abyssal Deep Dive
- All Scuba
- Asia Blue Scuba - ["PADI"]
- Ban's Diving Resort - PADI
- Blue Horizon Diving and Adventures - SSI, PADI, CMAS
- Buddha View IDC
Marine Life in Gulf of Thailand
Home to 167 recorded species including 126 reef fish, 18 hard corals, 7 sharks & rays, 6 seagrass & algae, 2 sea cucumbers, 2 clams & mussels.
Notable Species
- Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
- Rock Cod (Epinephelus fasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora nasuta) - Hard Corals
- Blue Spotted Hind (Cephalopholis cyanostigma) - Reef Fish
- Rock Cod (Cephalopholis boenak) - Reef Fish
- Estuary Cod (Epinephelus coioides) - Reef Fish
- Blue-lined Rock Cod (Cephalopholis formosa) - Reef Fish
- Common Coral Trout (Plectropomus leopardus) - Reef Fish
- Redcoat (Sargocentron rubrum) - Reef Fish
- Slender grouper (Anyperodon leucogrammicus) - Reef Fish
- Banded maori wrasse (Cheilinus fasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Telescopefish (Epibulus insidiator) - Reef Fish
- Eight Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon octofasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Floral wrasse (Cheilinus chlorourus) - Reef Fish
- Longnose Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora solitaryensis) - Hard Corals
- Long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum) - Sea Urchins
- Honeycomb Grouper (Epinephelus quoyanus) - Reef Fish
- Big-eye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora millepora) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for Koh Thong Kaeo / เกาะทองแก้ว
Based on average water temperature of 28.2°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories