Raja Ampat Liveaboard Guide: How to Plan the Dive Trip of a Lifetime

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There are places divers talk about the way others talk about Everest or the Sistine Chapel. Places that become a benchmark, something you work toward. For serious divers, Raja Ampat in Indonesia is that place.

Located in the remote West Papua region of Indonesia, Raja Ampat is home to more marine species than anywhere else on Earth. Scientists have recorded more than 550 coral species and over 1,500 fish species in these waters, figures that dwarf every other diving destination on the planet. The Coral Triangle begins here. The richest reefs on the planet are here.

And the only real way to experience diving Raja Ampat, Indonesia properly is on a liveaboard.

Why a Liveaboard is Essential for Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat covers roughly 50,000 square kilometres of ocean and hundreds of islands. The best dive sites are spread across four main regions; Central, North, South, and East …many of which are hours apart by boat.

Shore-based diving from Sorong or a local resort gets you to some sites. But it doesn't get you to Wayag, or deep into Misool, or to the legendary sites of the Dampier Strait without spending half your day in transit.

A liveaboard fixes all of that. You sleep where you dive. You wake up moored beside a reef that took two hours to reach overnight. You do three or four dives a day across regions that a day-tripper would never see. For a destination this size and this remote, it's genuinely the only way to do it justice.

The Four Diving Regions

Central Raja Ampat: The Dampier Strait

The most popular and consistently dived region. The Dampier Strait separates Waigeo and Batanta islands and funnels nutrient-rich currents through a corridor that's absolutely packed with marine life.

Cape Kri holds the world record for fish diversity on a single dive; ichthyologist Dr. Gerry Allen documented 374 species in one 90-minute dive here. The reef wall drops from the surface and the fish density has to be seen to be believed.

Sardine Reef (Arborek) is named for the enormous schools of sardines that swarm the reef. Manta rays, reef sharks, and jacks follow the bait. One of the most consistently spectacular dives in Raja Ampat.

Blue Magic is a seamount that acts as a cleaning station and feeding spot for manta rays, wobbegong sharks, and schooling fish. Currents can be strong but the payoff is exceptional.

Melissa's Garden is a signature soft coral garden in the shallows near Penemu. One of the most photographed sites in Raja Ampat for good reason. The colour density here is extraordinary.

One thing to know about the Dampier Strait: it can produce strong, rapidly shifting currents. Several sites are best suited to experienced divers who are comfortable in moving water. Your guide will brief you well, but don't understate your experience level when you book.

North Raja Ampat: Wayag and Beyond

The north is wilder, more remote, and frankly more dramatic both above and below the water. The karst limestone islands of Wayag rise from impossibly blue water in the kind of landscape that makes you question whether you've accidentally stepped into a screensaver.

Underwater, the north offers deep walls, pristine reefs, and the kind of untouched coral that comes from genuinely limited visitor numbers. Most liveaboards include the north on 10 to 12 night itineraries, overnighting the passage north and spending two or three days in the region before returning south.

Wayag Lagoon delivers topside scenery that's hard to overstate. Below water the lagoon reefs are healthy and largely undisturbed, with reef sharks and abundant fish life.

Pianemo is another iconic northern site combining dramatic above-water karst formations with prolific reef life below.

South Raja Ampat: Misool

Misool is the jewel of the south. A large island surrounded by a protected marine reserve with some of the densest soft coral growth in the world. The reefs here have been under community management for over a decade and it shows. They're some of the healthiest in the region.

Magic Mountain has become legendary among manta ray enthusiasts. Mantas gather here to feed and be cleaned, and encounters are reliable during the right season.

Boo Windows offers twin swim-throughs framed by walls of vivid soft coral. One of the most visually stunning dives in the region and genuinely one of those dives you'll remember for years.

Fiabacet is a macro photographer's paradise. The muck diving here turns up rare and remarkable small species that most divers never encounter anywhere else.

Worth knowing: Misool is only accessible on longer 10 to 14 night itineraries. If it's a priority for you, check the specific route carefully before booking.

East Raja Ampat

The least visited region and still largely unexplored. Some liveaboards include eastern sites on extended itineraries. If you're planning a second or third Raja Ampat trip and want to go somewhere most visitors never reach, this is your answer.

What You'll See Underwater

Raja Ampat's biodiversity isn't marketing language. It's documented scientific fact. In practice, a routine reef dive here produces sightings that would be highlights anywhere else on Earth.

Regular encounters include wobbegong sharks (endemic to the region), pygmy seahorses in multiple species, walking sharks (epaulette sharks found almost nowhere else on the planet), manta rays both reef and oceanic, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, nudibranchs in extraordinary variety, cuttlefish and octopus, massive schools of barracuda, trevally and snapper, dugongs in seagrass areas, and whale sharks seasonally.

The coral itself is genuinely the headline. Soft coral growth in Raja Ampat, particularly in Misool and parts of the Dampier Strait, reaches densities and colours that experienced divers describe as unlike anything else they've ever seen.

Costs: What to Budget

Raja Ampat is not a budget destination. The remoteness, fuel costs, park fees, and the quality of the experience mean liveaboard prices are significantly higher than Thailand or Bali.

Budget liveaboards (7 nights): USD $1,800 to $2,500 / AUD $2,600 to $3,600

Mid-range liveaboards (7 to 10 nights): USD $2,500 to $4,500 / AUD $3,600 to $6,500

Luxury liveaboards (10 to 14 nights): USD $5,000 to $9,000+ / AUD $7,200 to $13,000+

Additional costs that catch people off guard:

Raja Ampat Marine Park PIN fee: approximately USD $200 to $255 per person per trip, paid separately in cash (IDR only). This one surprises a lot of first-time Raja Ampat visitors. It's mandatory and it's not small.

Dive insurance is mandatory with most operators. Budget for this if you don't already hold it.

Equipment rental, nitrox, gratuities for crew, and drinks are typically charged separately.

Flights to Sorong: most liveaboards depart from Sorong. You'll need domestic Indonesian flights from Bali or Jakarta. Book these well in advance, particularly during peak season when capacity is tight.

Best Time to Go

October to April is the primary diving season. Calmer seas, better visibility (often 15 to 30 metres), and more predictable conditions make this the window most liveaboards prioritise.

May to September brings the southeast monsoon. Conditions are more variable and some operators reduce or suspend itineraries. The Central region tends to remain more diveable through the shoulder season than the north or south.

Manta rays are most reliably sighted from October to April in the southern regions around Misool. Blue Magic in the Dampier Strait produces sightings year-round but peaks in the cooler, more current-active months.

How to Choose Your Liveaboard

Trip length: 7 nights covers the central region well. 10 nights allows the north (Wayag) or south (Misool) to be added. 12 to 14 nights gets you both. If this is your first Raja Ampat trip, 7 to 10 nights in the central region is the right starting point. Don't try to do everything first time around.

Group size: Smaller boats with 8 to 12 guests offer more personalised guiding and better dive management, especially at current-heavy sites. Larger vessels with 16 to 24 guests tend to be more affordable but mean more people in the water at each site.

Experience requirements: Most Raja Ampat liveaboards require Advanced Open Water certification and a minimum of 50 logged dives. Several sites, particularly in the Dampier Strait, involve strong and unpredictable currents that genuinely need experience. Don't overstate your dive history to get on a trip. It's not worth it.

Before you book, ask: Is the Raja Ampat PIN fee included or separate? What is the guide-to-diver ratio? Is dive insurance mandatory? What is the cancellation policy? Are nitrox and equipment rental available? What specific regions and sites does the itinerary cover?

Getting There

All Raja Ampat liveaboards depart from Sorong, West Papua. Fly internationally to Bali or Jakarta, then connect to Sorong (DEO airport) on a domestic Indonesian carrier. Flight time from Bali is roughly 3.5 to 4 hours.

Book your domestic legs well in advance. Sorong has limited capacity and flights fill quickly during peak season. Most operators arrange airport transfers to the liveaboard, but confirm this when you book.

Arrive in Sorong the day before your liveaboard departure. Missing your departure date here is an expensive mistake that's easily avoided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raja Ampat suitable for beginner divers? Most liveaboards require Advanced Open Water certification and significant logged experience. Some sites are accessible to confident Open Water divers under supervision, but Raja Ampat isn't the right destination for newly certified divers. Build your skills first, then come back. It'll be worth the wait.

How many dives per day? Typically 3 to 4 dives per day including a night dive on most evenings. On a 7-night trip expect 20 to 25 dives total.

Do I need dive insurance? Yes. Most operators make it mandatory. DAN (Divers Alert Network) cover or equivalent is standard.

What's the visibility like? During peak season, visibility typically ranges from 15 to 30 metres. It can drop during shoulder months or following heavy rain.

Can non-divers join a Raja Ampat liveaboard? Many liveaboards accept snorkellers. The topside scenery, the karst islands, the extraordinary birdlife, the remote beaches, is spectacular in its own right. Check with the specific operator before booking.

How far in advance should I book? Peak season trips from November to March fill 6 to 12 months ahead on popular vessels. Book as early as you possibly can.

Ready to plan your Raja Ampat liveaboard? Browse Indonesia liveaboard departures and compare itineraries at Dive Bookings — Indonesia Liveaboards.

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October 30, 2026

Egypt’s Thrilling Shark Diving Experiences

Egypt’s Red Sea is known for clear tropical water, extensive coral reefs, steep walls, offshore pinnacles, and encounters with large pelagic species. For divers interested in sharks, the region offers several distinct environments where encounters can happen from reef systems close to established diving hubs to remote offshore sites reached mainly by liveaboard. Shark diving Egypt is not simply about finding a shark and following it underwater. The experience depends heavily on the dive site, season, current, visibility, depth, and the behaviour of the animals. At sites such as Elphinstone Reef, the Brother Islands, and Daedalus Reef, divers can enter an environment where strong currents, exposed walls, and open-water encounters make the dive considerably different from a sheltered reef dive. Why Egypt Is Known for Shark Diving The Egyptian Red Sea supports a wide variety of marine life, including several shark species. Divers Alert Network notes sightings of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, leopard sharks, tiger sharks, oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, and thresher sharks at remote Red Sea reefs, although sightings are naturally not guaranteed. The area's appeal comes partly from its underwater geography. Offshore reefs rise dramatically from deeper water, creating walls, pinnacles, and current-affected areas where large pelagic animals can pass. These conditions make shark diving Egypt an exciting option for experienced divers seeking encounters with open-water species. Egypt's official tourism information also highlights the country's extensive Red Sea diving network, including Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, and Marsa Alam. For divers specifically interested in sharks, however, the more remote offshore sites deserve particular attention. Elphinstone Reef: A Red Sea Shark Classic Located in the southern Red Sea near Marsa Alam, Elphinstone Reef is one of Egypt's best-known shark-diving locations. The reef is characterised by steep walls and abundant coral and marine life. Its exposed position means currents can be an important part of the dive, and conditions can change according to weather and water movement. Oceanic whitetip sharks are particularly associated with Elphinstone. Divers Alert Network describes the site as one of the places where this species can be encountered and notes that sightings have historically been particularly notable during the cooler-season period. The Egyptian tourism authority also lists Elphinstone among the major diving attractions around Marsa Alam, noting its soft corals and marine life, including barracudas, groupers, morays, and angelfish. Because Elphinstone is an exposed offshore reef, divers should not approach it as a simple beginner dive. Experience with current, buoyancy, and open-water conditions can make a significant difference. The Brother Islands The Brother Islands; Big Brother and Small Brother are remote offshore islands in the Red Sea and are particularly associated with advanced diving and liveaboard itineraries. Big Brother has deep coral walls and attracts large marine animals, including passing sharks. Egypt's official tourism site describes the location as a destination for professional divers and highlights the combination of deep walls, reefs, and large marine life. Small Brother also features a deep coral plateau reaching around 40 metres and is known for passing large fish and sharks. The same source specifically notes the presence of strong currents around the site. These characteristics make the Brothers very different from a relaxed shallow reef excursion. Divers should check the operator's certification and experience requirements before booking. For many trips, the practical way to visit the Brothers is by liveaboard. Their offshore position makes them less accessible than shore-based sites around Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. Daedalus Reef and Offshore Encounters Daedalus Reef is another remote Red Sea site associated with large marine life and liveaboard diving. Its location far offshore means the journey itself is part of the experience. Rather than making a short trip from a coastal resort, divers typically spend several days aboard a vessel when an itinerary includes the remote southern Red Sea sites. The underwater environment is shaped by deep water, reef walls, and currents. This combination creates opportunities for pelagic encounters but also means conditions can be more demanding. A shark encounter at an offshore reef is therefore best approached as a wildlife experience rather than something that can be scheduled with certainty. What Shark Encounters Are Actually Like Shark encounters vary enormously. A shark may appear briefly in the distance, pass along a reef wall, circle through blue water, or remain in view for several minutes. Divers may also spend an entire dive without seeing one. This unpredictability is part of responsible wildlife diving. Sharks are wild animals, and their movements depend on food availability, water conditions, currents, season, and natural behaviour. Divers should avoid chasing, touching, feeding, or deliberately blocking a shark's path. Maintaining good buoyancy and giving the animal appropriate space creates a better encounter for both the diver and the wildlife. The objective should be observation rather than interaction. Conditions You Should Expect Red Sea diving is often associated with warm water and good visibility, but conditions are not identical throughout the year or across different regions. Water temperature can vary seasonally. In the southern Red Sea, Divers Alert Network reports winter water temperatures around 22°C / 72°F and summer temperatures reaching approximately 29°C / 84°F . Winter winds can also make crossings to offshore islands more challenging. Currents are another important consideration. Some sites can be relatively straightforward, while others are affected by stronger currents that require divers to be comfortable with drift-style diving and appropriate surface procedures. A surface marker buoy is particularly useful on current-affected dives, and operators may have specific procedures for entries, ascents, and boat pickup. Who Should Go Shark Diving in Egypt? The answer depends on the specific site. Egypt has diving opportunities suitable for different levels of experience, including accessible shore dives around established resorts. The official tourism authority highlights both Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab for accessible diving and established dive centres. Remote shark sites are different. Elphinstone, the Brother Islands, and other offshore locations can involve current, depth, exposed conditions, and liveaboard travel. Some itineraries are intended for experienced or professional divers, and the exact requirements vary by operator. Before booking, check: Minimum certification level Required number of logged dives Recent-diving requirements Maximum depth Current conditions Nitrox availability Liveaboard or day-boat logistics Equipment requirements These details are more important than simply choosing an itinerary because it advertises shark encounters. Liveaboards for Remote Shark Sites A liveaboard can be the most practical option when the goal is to reach remote offshore reefs. Instead of returning to shore after every dive, divers live aboard the vessel while it travels between sites. This allows itineraries to combine locations such as the Brothers, Daedalus, and other southern Red Sea reefs. There is also a practical advantage: remote sites can be reached without spending each day travelling from a coastal resort. However, liveaboards involve longer periods at sea. Offshore crossings can be affected by wind and sea conditions, and divers prone to seasickness should consider this when choosing their trip. Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam is one of the established gateways for southern Red Sea diving and liveaboard departures. Choosing the Right Dive Operator A shark-focused trip should begin with the operator, not just the destination. Ask how the operator handles current-affected sites, what experience is required, how dive groups are managed, and what safety equipment is carried. It is also worth confirming whether equipment rental, nitrox, transfers, park fees, and other charges are included in the advertised price. Divers Alert Network recommends asking operators about certifications, equipment maintenance, and safety records when choosing a dive centre. For liveaboards, also check the vessel's cabin arrangements, departure port, transfer arrangements, maximum passenger capacity, and itinerary. The Best Part of Shark Diving Egypt The appeal of shark diving in Egypt is not simply the possibility of seeing a particular species. It is the setting: descending beside a deep Red Sea wall, watching schools of fish move through the current, scanning the blue beyond the reef, and knowing that a large pelagic animal may appear without warning. At Elphinstone, the Brothers, and Daedalus, the combination of remote reefs, deep water, currents, and marine life creates a very different diving experience from sheltered coastal sites. The most rewarding approach is to plan around the dive conditions and your own experience rather than expecting guaranteed wildlife encounters. Choose an itinerary that matches your certification and comfort in current, understand the logistics, and treat every shark sighting as a wild encounter rather than a scheduled attraction. That combination of preparation and unpredictability is what gives shark diving Egypt its distinctive character. FAQs 1. Where can I go shark diving in Egypt? Popular shark-diving areas include Elphinstone Reef, the Brother Islands, and Daedalus Reef. 2. Can beginners go shark diving in Egypt? Some Red Sea diving is suitable for beginners, but remote shark sites can require advanced experience because of depth, currents, and offshore conditions. 3. What sharks can divers see? Possible sightings include oceanic whitetips, grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks, and other species, depending on the location and season. 4. Is shark diving better from a liveaboard? Liveaboards provide practical access to remote offshore sites such as the Brothers and Daedalus, but the best format depends on the diver's experience and chosen itinerary. 5. Are shark sightings guaranteed? No. Sharks are wild animals, so sightings vary with location, season, conditions, and natural animal behaviour.

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October 23, 2026

How Much Does a Diving Trip to the Philippines Cost?

One of the biggest advantages of planning a diving holiday in the Philippines is its excellent value. Compared with many other world-class dive destinations, accommodation, dive packages, food, and local transportation remain relatively affordable while still providing access to exceptional underwater environments.

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October 13, 2026

Best Dive Sites in Koh Tao: Your Complete Guide to Diving Thailand's Turtle Island

Koh Tao has over 25 dive sites scattered around its coastline and offshore waters. That's a lot of choice, and if you only have a few days in the water, knowing which sites are worth your air and which ones suit your level makes all the difference. This is the no-fluff breakdown. Every major site, what you'll actually see there, how challenging it is, and who it's best for. Quick Orientation Koh Tao's dive sites fall into two broad categories: the sheltered bays and shallow reefs close to the island's coastline, mostly suited to beginners and Open Water training; and the deeper offshore pinnacles, which is where the serious action happens. Most dive boats reach the coastal sites in 10 to 15 minutes, while the outlying pinnacles like Chumphon and Sail Rock take considerably longer. Water temperature sits at 28 to 30°C for most of the year. Visibility ranges from 10 to 25 metres depending on season and site. The best overall diving season runs from February to September. Keen to see our Koh Tao Dives? Check them out here! The Offshore Pinnacles Chumphon Pinnacle Depth: 14 to 40m | Level: Advanced Open Water recommended | Travel time: about 25 min northwest If you only do one dive at Koh Tao, most experienced divers would point you here. Chumphon Pinnacle is a cluster of granite pinnacles rising from the seafloor, attracting some of the biggest concentrations of marine life around the island. Schools of chevron barracuda, giant grouper, and trevally circulate the structure. Whale sharks are sighted here more than at any other Koh Tao site. Still seasonal and never guaranteed, but if it's going to happen anywhere in the Gulf of Thailand, it's here. The deeper sections need solid buoyancy and some current experience, but the upper reaches are accessible to divers with reasonable open water time under their belts. Worth knowing: the thermoclines dropping through the water column are a cool sensory experience even on dives where the big stuff doesn't show up. Sail Rock Depth: 5 to 40m | Level: All levels, best enjoyed by Advanced | Travel time: about 60 to 90 minutes from Koh Tao Sail Rock is widely regarded as the best single dive site in the Gulf of Thailand, and it's not hard to see why. A granite spire rises from the seafloor to the surface, with a unique vertical chimney running through the rock that divers can drop through from around 5 metres down to 18 metres. It's one of those dives people talk about for weeks afterwards. The site is exposed enough to attract serious pelagic life, including barracuda, kingfish, trevally, and regular whale shark sightings during the right season, while the shallower sections around the rock are great for reef fish and coral. Current can pick up so newer divers should pair with an experienced guide who knows the site well. Dropping through The Chimney is the kind of dive moment that turns people into lifers. Southwest Pinnacle Depth: 6 to 30m | Level: Intermediate to Advanced | Travel time: about 20 min southwest Arguably Koh Tao's most underrated dive site. Southwest Pinnacle is a large submerged rock with dramatic swim-throughs, overhangs draped in soft coral, and a reliably healthy resident marine population. Leopard sharks rest on the sandy bottom. Large grouper lurk in the overhangs. Batfish and snappers school mid-water. It sees fewer boats than Chumphon or Sail Rock, which means you get more of it to yourself. Currents can be strong, particularly on the deeper sections, but the structure is large enough that guides can choose sheltered sections when conditions call for it. Keep your eyes on the sandy plateau around 20 metres. That's where leopard sharks and sleeping nurse sharks are regularly found. The Coastal Reefs White Rock Depth: 5 to 25m | Level: All levels | Travel time: about 10 min White Rock is Koh Tao's most popular all-round dive site, the one that suits the widest range of divers and conditions. Two large granite boulders covered in hard coral and marine growth provide the structure, with swim-throughs, overhangs, and a healthy resident population of reef fish, moray eels, and the occasional hawksbill turtle. It's also one of the best night dive sites around Koh Tao. After dark the site transforms completely. Lionfish emerge from crevices, reef sharks patrol the shallower sections, and cuttlefish hunting in the torchlight put on a genuine show. If you haven't dived White Rock at night, put it on the list. Japanese Gardens Depth: 4 to 14m | Level: Beginners and Open Water training | Travel time: about 15 min near Koh Nang Yuan The name fits. Japanese Gardens is a beautifully landscaped shallow reef with extraordinary coral variety, probably the widest diversity of hard and soft corals at any single site around Koh Tao. It's calm, colourful, and unhurried, making it the go-to for Open Water training dives and anyone who wants to take their time and actually look at things. Don't write it off as a beginner-only site. Serious macro photographers return here repeatedly for the nudibranchs, shrimp, and tiny reef creatures hiding in the coral heads. There's a lot more going on here than the depth suggests. Twins Depth: 6 to 18m | Level: Beginners to Intermediate | Travel time: about 5 min from Sairee Beach Two large coral bommies sitting in open water a short distance from the main beach. Twins is one of the most reliably good dives for newer divers. Visibility is usually excellent, conditions are manageable, and the marine life is active and varied. Blue-spotted stingrays rest in the sand, turtles cruise through regularly, and the schools of fusiliers and snappers circling the bommies give the site a lively feel. It's a popular second dive after Chumphon or Sail Rock too, giving the group a comfortable, relaxed dive to close out the day. Aow Leuk Depth: 5 to 18m | Level: Beginners | Travel time: about 15 min east coast A sheltered bay on Koh Tao's east coast with a gently sloping coral reef, sandy patches, and calm conditions that make it ideal for people on their first few dives. Turtle sightings are reliable here. The bay seems to have a resident population that divers encounter with pleasing regularity. It also happens to be one of the better snorkelling spots if you have non-diving travel companions along for the trip. Mango Bay Depth: 2 to 15m | Level: Complete beginners and Discover Scuba | Travel time: about 15 min north coast Mango Bay is the classic introductory dive site on Koh Tao. Shallow, sheltered, with sandy entry points and a diverse coral reef that starts almost at the surface. It's where many people take their literal first breaths underwater, calm enough to feel safe and interesting enough to immediately understand why people love this sport. Nothing specific to chase here. Just look around and take it in. Shark Island Depth: 5 to 22m | Level: Beginner to Intermediate | Travel time: about 20 min southeast of Koh Tao Don't be misled by the name. The sharks here are nurse sharks and occasional reef sharks, not the kind that warrant a dramatic naming convention. What Shark Island actually delivers is a rocky reef structure with impressive swim-throughs, colourful soft coral, and a beautiful boulder-strewn topography that rewards exploration. Leopard sharks are regularly spotted resting on the sandy patches, and the soft coral growth on the southwest corner is particularly lush. The HTMS Sattakut Wreck Depth: 15 to 32m | Level: Advanced Open Water recommended A former US Navy vessel that served with the Royal Thai Navy for decades before being deliberately sunk in June 2011 as an artificial reef off the west coast of Koh Tao. It's now thoroughly colonised by corals and home to a significant resident fish population. Batfish school around the superstructure. Lionfish lurk in the hull openings. The wreck sits upright and is large enough to take multiple dives to explore properly. It won't compete with the great wrecks of the world, but for Koh Tao it's a genuinely interesting dive with good marine life and real history behind it. The upper deck at around 20 metres is usually where visibility is best. Which Site is Right for You? First time / Discover Scuba: Mango Bay, Japanese Gardens, Aow Leuk Open Water training: Japanese Gardens, Twins, Aow Leuk Newly certified, building confidence: White Rock, Twins, Shark Island Intermediate, want more: Southwest Pinnacle, Chumphon Pinnacle, HTMS Sattakut Advanced, want the best: Chumphon Pinnacle, Sail Rock, Southwest Pinnacle Underwater photographers: Japanese Gardens for macro, Chumphon Pinnacle for wide angle, Southwest Pinnacle for soft coral Night divers: White Rock, Twins Ready to book a dive in Koh Tao, Thailand , let's do it! Practical Info Getting to Koh Tao: Ferry from Chumphon (1.5 to 2 hrs) or Surat Thani (6 hrs night ferry or 3 hrs high-speed). Many divers fly to Koh Samui and connect by ferry, around 1.5 hours. Dive costs: Fun dives run from around 800 to 1,200 baht per dive (roughly AUD $32 to $48). Most operators run two-tank morning trips. Multi-dive packages bring the per-dive cost down noticeably. Best season: February to September for the Gulf of Thailand. October and November can bring rougher conditions and reduced visibility. Plan your Koh Tao dives; Browse trips, courses, and packages at Dive Bookings — Thailand .

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