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Diving at Sail Rock, Koh Samui - Koh Tao

Discover the underwater marvel of Sail Rock, near Koh Samui! Experience exceptional diving with vibrant marine life and the famous chimney swim-through. Dive in for an adventure of a lifetime.

Diving into the Depths: The Allure of Sail Rock

Sail Rock is located between the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao and is a magnet for divers in the Gulf of Thailand. This is because the dive site has many features that are characteristic of the site such as the vertical swim-throughs where the most famous is the chimney. The large schools of fish and the whale sharks are the prime interest in the dive site. To the divers from Koh Samui and Koh Tao, Sail Rock is a great treat. The environment of this site is suitable for both the beginner who wants to learn how to snorkel and the expert divers, this site provides an exciting and relaxing experience at the same time, with a beautiful underwater view as background. By reading this sail rock dive guide, the divers will be able to know about the season to dive at Sail Rock, the marine life that is found in this area, the conditions to expect when diving at Sail Rock and what to expect when diving at Sail Rock.

Diving Season in Sail Rock

Timing Your Dive: The Best Seasons to ExploreSail Rock

The best time to go diving at Sail Rock is between the months of March to October due to the favorable weather conditions. The period allows for warm water, well-defined and stable current as well as clear water. It is an ideal place for observing the breathtaking coral reefs and a vast amount of sea inhabitants that can be found at Sail Rock.

Sail Rock Diverse Marine Life

Whale shark

Blacktip reef shark

Anemone fish

Box fish

Nudibranch

Shrimp

Sea anemone

Soft Coral

Hard Coral

Turtle

Barracuda

Butterflyfish

Lionfish

Parrot fish

Sail Rock Marine Life Sighting Calendar

HHigh chance

MMedium chance

LLow chance

-No sighting

The Marine Marvels of Sail Rock: Animals and Seasons

The waters of Sail Rock are teeming with life. It is a feast to the eyes with lots of brightly colored fish, big pelagic fish and even macro creatures. The large school of barracuda, batfish, and fusilier are some of the fish that can be seen by the divers and, luck would have it, a gentle giant whale shark. The soft corals, anemones and a large number of reef fish make this pinnacle a miniature of the oceans’ diverse sea life.

Sail Rock Diving Conditions

Recommended scuba diving level
Open water with experience

Water temperature

25°C - 29°C

Underwater visibility

10M - 40M

Underwater current

Moderate to Strong

Depth

10M - 40M

Weather

Temperature: 28°C - 35°C Monsoon season: Oct - Dec

Underwater hazard

Strong Current

The diving at Sail Rock is difficult but very doable and it is advisable for the diver to be at least an open water certified diver.

Water Temperature: Rather warm. It is comfortable to dive without having to wear thick wetsuits as the water temperature is constant between 28°C to 30°C (82°F to 86°F).

Underwater Visibility: It is quite crystal clear here especially at Sail Rock where visibility is usually beyond 20 meters.

Currents: It has a variety of current conditions ranging from; leisurely currents that are ideal for new divers to rough currents that are perfect for the advanced divers especially when it is full moon.

Depth: Sail Rock offers a range of diving options to suit preferences. The depths go from the surface all the way down to around 30 meters (100 feet) incorporating the entrance of the chimney at 5 meters (16 feet). The exit at 18 meters (59 feet).

Weather: The best time of the year to go diving is the dry season because the sea is calm and the sun is shining making the experience even more beautiful. Outside this period, the conditions may be different.

Hazards: Although Sail Rock is generally safe, there are some factors that divers should be careful of including; current, chimney and the deeper parts of the reef. It is always advisable to dive with a reputable operator and within your certification level.

Sail Rock is one of the places that every diver from Koh Samui and Koh Tao should visit to see the amazing sea creatures. Its geological characteristics together with the high biomass of marine life make it a great dive site for all divers. When a diver is navigating through the chimney or admiring the aquatic life surrounding this natural monument, Sail Rock is a memorable dive that will see divers go back to every now and then.