reef

Log This Dive

Japanese Garden

Okay, so everyone heading to Koh Tao gets told to dive Chumphon or Sail Rock for the big stuff, but we’re telling you, don't sleep on Japanese Garden. It’s tucked right off the shore of Koh Nangyuan, which means you often get that super calm, clear water, especially if you get there first thing. Our favourite part? It’s basically a natural aquarium. You’re weaving through these sprawling staghorn and branch coral formations, a real living garden, where the sunlight just slices through the water. We’ve spent entire dives just hovering, watching the endless parade of Bandcheek wrasse and iridescent Blue Trim Parrotfish munching away. Honestly, the sheer volume of small stuff here is incredible. You'll see Goldspeckled Shrimpgobies eyeballing you from their burrows and Coral Blennies perched on every other branch. It’s an easy dive, mostly shallow, maybe 12-15 metres at its deepest, which makes it perfect for longer bottom times and really slowing down. We'd suggest going early, before the day-trippers arrive, to truly appreciate the quiet ballet of the reef.