Sail Rock - Koh Tao

Sail Rock is a classic for a reason, a giant granite pinnacle rising from the seabed between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. We usually drop in early to try and beat the crowds, because it does get busy, but the sheer volume of fish here often means there's enough action for everyone. Look for schools of barracuda circling the main rock, and the occasional coral grouper peeking out from under ledges. The famous "chimney" swim-through, from 18m up to 5m, is always a highlight, and if you’re lucky enough to visit from March to May, you might just spot a whale shark cruising by in the blue. It’s a solid dive, good for most levels, just be mindful of other groups.

Location
Koh Tao, Thailand, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
9.978000, 100.015000
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Suratthani Environmental Protected Area

Best Time to Dive in Koh Tao

The warmest water temperatures in Koh Tao occur in May, averaging 30.6°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.3°C
  • February: 28.6°C
  • March: 29.3°C
  • April: 30.2°C
  • May: 30.6°C
  • June: 30.2°C
  • July: 30.0°C
  • August: 29.7°C
  • September: 29.4°C
  • October: 29.2°C
  • November: 29.3°C
  • December: 28.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Koh Tao

Nearest Dive Centres to Sail Rock

Marine Life in Koh Tao

Home to 56 recorded species including 35 reef fish, 11 sharks & rays, 4 other, 2 hard corals, 1 clams & mussels, 1 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Sail Rock

Based on average water temperature of 29.5°C, currents 14 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°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