Shark Island - Gulf of Thailand

Shark Island, or Koh Pung as some call it, sits just southeast of Koh Tao, a rocky outcrop that does vaguely resemble a shark fin breaking the surface. Don’t get your hopes up for big sharks every dive, though we have occasionally spotted a leopard shark lazily cruising the sandy patches, and turtles are a regular sight. The eastern side is generally our pick, with some interesting boulder formations dropping to around 17 metres. You’ll find plenty of smaller reef fish here, and it's one of the more consistent spots around Koh Tao to see orangespined unicornfish. Down on the south side, a soft coral garden at 14 metres adds a splash of colour. It’s a pretty gentle dive, suitable for newer divers looking for a relaxed tour of a classic Gulf of Thailand reef.

Location
Gulf of Thailand, Thailand, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
10.061700, 99.844900
Maximum Depth
17m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Suratthani Environmental Protected Area

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

Nearest Dive Centres to Shark Island

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

Recommended Packing List for Shark Island

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