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Geography��� Climate�� People��� Religion��� Language��� Food&Fruits�� Hill tribes��� Thai Boxing |
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Bangkok & Around Andaman Sea Gulf of Thailand Northern Northeastern |
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Koh Tao
The sleepy little islands of Koh Tao (turtle island) and Koh Nang Yuan, located approximately 65 kilometers north of Koh Samui, have exploded as a diving destination over the past few years. Although populated for some time, previously the only form of income for the islanders was the harwesting of coconuts and light fishing. These days there are a number of back packer style bangalows, one or two up market resorts, and about 10 dive centers offering scuba and snorkling trips to the surrounding reefs and pinnacles.
One of the best things about diving around these two small islands is the fact that the dive sites, unlike Phuket's and Samui's, are only minutes away. Including Koh Nang Yuan, which is only a short hop from Koh Tao, there are over 15 dives sites charted in the areas. Sites range from deep water pinnacles, to shallow coral gardens, to rocky points complete with swim throughs. Although water carity can sometimes be limited, frequently the water becomes as transparent as th Andaman Sea with visibility over 30 meters. Again, this may not be typical, but when the water gets like this, watch out: The diving gets truly exciting!.
Koh Tao is one of the those places where you have to expect the unexpected. Many people have reported absolutely world class dives in the area over a period of a few days to a few months. Champhon Pinnacle, probably the best non wreck dive site in the fulf, has bben know to attract whale sharks, mantas, huge schools of jack fish, swordfish, and even fin back whales. And one day a few years ago, divers saw all this and more on single dive! In fact, there were so many things going on that day uncommon, but not unheard of that many people on the boat didn't even find the dive site. After all, who want to look at clown fish, when whales, whale sharks, and swordfish, are swimming around you?
Although he's not nearly as large as whale shark, Koh Tao has a resident fish with an ego the size of any whale. Trevor, "The Terrible Trigger", resides at White Rock off Koh Nang Yuan and what he lacks in size he more than makes up for in belligerency. Trigger fish are know to be hostile around mating season, and they rigorously defend their nests, but Trevor just doesn't seem to like anyone no matter what time of year it is. He has this snnoying habit of sneaking up on divers and biting their hair, mask, fins, regulator, or anything else that happens to be in the way. Divemasters watch Trevor peering out from behind a rock waiting for drivers to look away from his hiding place, so that he can then spring upon the group like some kind of crazed warrior. Trevor is really not so bad, but makes a good subjest for the popular T-shirt on this island.
Koh Tao offers the best diving in the gulf of Thailand and combined with the pleasantries of shore life, it is well worth a visit. You may not see whale sharks or swordfish every dive, but you'll certainly be more than charmed by the local inhabitants of the reefs.
How to get there: Once you arrive in Samui, speedboats are available to take you to Koh Tao either directly or via Koh Phangan. Ferries and speedboats are also available from Champhon just north of Surat Thani. Tourism Authority of Thailand. |
