Log This Dive

Shark Island

Shark Island, or Koh Tao’s Hin Fai, depending on who you ask, is one of those places we always find ourselves returning to. It’s an island, yes, but the real action is in the rocky outcrops and deep gutters below. We love dropping in on the east side first thing in the morning when the sun is just hitting the water, pushing along the current towards the south. Keep an eye out for blennies popping their heads from every crevice, and those striking blue-spotted wrasse flashing by. It’s a riot of small reef fish, from herring scad to banded blue sprats, all darting amongst the boulders. The currents here can be a bit frisky, particularly around the southern tip, so it’s not really a spot for your very first ocean dive. But for anyone comfortable with a drift, the rewards are pretty sweet. We've often found ourselves hovering, watching huge schools of yellowstriped cardinalfish move as one, a shimmering curtain. Don't forget to peer under ledges; you might just spot a grumpy grouper or a curious longface emperor eyeing you back. It’s a site that always feels alive, a dynamic place where something new always seems to catch your eye.