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Joe's Scuba Shack

Scuba Diving & Adventure Sports Guide

  • Popular
    • Scuba Diving Equipment Checklist
    • The Best Boogie Boards for Kids in 2022
    • Best Scuba Diving Drysuit Review
    • Best Cold Water Diving Gear
    • Banco Chinchorro Diving Mexico
    • Best Motorized Kayaks in 2022
    • Best Scuba Diving San Juan Islands Washington
    • Best Scuba Diving Hood of 2022
    • Best Scuba Diving Molokai Hawaii
    • Best Scuba Diving Gauges Reviewed and Compared
    • Best Freediving Masks in 2022
    • Best Scuba Diving Myrtle Beach (SC)
    • Best Beach Wagons or Carts
    • Best Spearfishing Wetsuit Review
    • Best Tubbataha Reef Liveaboards – Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
    • Scuba Diving Socorro Islands Liveaboards
    • Kursk Submarine Disaster and My Friend
    • Best Scuba Shorts Review
    • Komodo Island Scuba Diving Liveaboards
    • Gold Dredging Alaska – The Walrus
    • Scuba Diving in Anchorage Alaska
    • Best Scuba Diving Green Island Taiwan
    • Best Scuba Diving Books Ever – Sea Life & Safety/Survival
    • Best Scuba Diving San Clemente Island California
    • Best Scuba Diving Maldives
    • Hookah Diving Equipment Guide
  • Commercial/Shipwrecks
    • Best Underwater Metal Detector Reviews
    • Gold Dredging Nome Alaska – The Walrus
    • Kursk Submarine Disaster and My Friend
    • Best Liveaboard Destinations for Wreck Diving
    • Scuba Diving Apo Reef & Coron Wrecks Liveaboards
    • Scuba Diving in Subic Bay Philippines
    • Bikini Atoll & Truk Lagoon Shipwrecks Liveaboards
    • Best Diving Malaysia Labuan Wrecks
    • Best Scapa Flow Wreck Diving
    • Best Scuba Diving Books Ever – Wreck & Inspirational
  • Dive Gear
    • Scuba Diving Equipment Checklist
    • BCDs
      • Best Travel BCDs
      • Best Back Inflate BCD Review in 2022
      • Best BCDs for Women in 2022
      • Best Scuba BCD Review – Top 11
      • What is a Scuba BCD? A BCD Buying Guide
    • Binoculars
      • Best Marine Binoculars of 2022
    • Cold Water Gear
      • Best Cold Water Diving Gear
    • Compasses
      • Best Dive Compasses Reviewed
    • Dive Bags
      • Best Scuba Dive Bag Reviews
      • Waterproof Bags
    • Dive Boots
      • Best Scuba Dive Boots
    • Dive Computers
      • Best Dive Computer for Beginners
      • Best Air Integrated Dive Computers
      • Best Freediving Watch Review
      • Best Dive Computer Review in 2022
    • Dive Gloves
      • Best Scuba Diving Gloves of 2022
    • Dive Scooters
      • Best Underwater Scooter
      • Best Underwater Scuba Scooter – Adding Speed to the Dive
    • Dive Skins
      • Best Lycra Dive Skins Review
      • Best Rash Guards for Men
      • Best Rash Guards for Women in 2022
    • Dive Watches
      • Best Scuba Diving Watches for Women
      • The 10 Best Dive Watches
    • Dry Suits
      • Best Women’s Scuba Diving Drysuits
      • Best Scuba Diving Drysuit Review
      • Best Scuba Drysuit Buying Guide
    • Drysuit Undergarments
      • Best Drysuit Undergarments of 2022
    • Fins
      • Best Scuba Fins
      • Best Bodyboarding Fins Review
      • Best Fins for Snorkeling
      • Best Freediving Fins for 2022
    • First Aid Kits
      • Best First Aid Kits 2022
    • Freediving
      • Best Lycra Dive Skins Review
      • Best Freediving Watch Review
      • Best Freediving Masks in 2022
      • Best Spearfishing Wetsuit Review
      • Best Freediving Fins for 2022
      • The Best Spearguns
      • Best Spearfishing Pole Spear in 2022
    • Full Face Masks
      • Best Full Face Diving Mask Reviews
      • Best Full Face Snorkel Mask
    • Gear Packages
      • Best Scuba Gear Packages of 2022
    • Gifts For a Scuba Diver
    • GPS Gear
      • The Best Marine GPS
      • Best Handheld GPS Review in 2022
    • Hoods
      • Best Scuba Diving Hood of 2022
    • Hookah Diving
      • Best Hookah Dive System Review
      • Hookah Diving Equipment Guide
    • Knives
      • The Best Dive Knife of 2022
      • Best Titanium Dive Knives in 2022
      • Best Camping Knife
      • Best Kayak Knives Review
      • Best Fishing Knives Reviews
      • Best Sailing Knife Reviews
    • Marine Coolers
    • Masks
      • Best Full Face Snorkel Mask
      • Best Full Face Diving Mask Reviews
      • Best Dive Mask for a Small Face
      • Best Spearfishing Mask
      • Best Snorkel Mask
      • Best Prescription Snorkeling Mask Reviews
      • Best Scuba Masks With a Purge Valve Review
      • Best Freediving Masks
      • Best Scuba Mask – Top 10 Reviewed and Compared
    • Rebreathers
      • Best Closed Circuit Rebreathers Described and Reviewed
    • Regulators
      • Best Budget Scuba Regulator Reviews
      • Best Cold Water Regulator Review
      • Best Scuba Regulators of 2022
    • Safety Equipment
      • Essential Scuba Diving Safety Equipment
      • Best Scuba Underwater Noise Maker Reviews
      • What is the Best SMB for Diving?
    • Scuba Gauges
      • Best Scuba Diving Gauges Reviewed and Compared
    • Scuba Shorts
      • Best Scuba Shorts Review
    • Slates
      • Best Scuba Diving Slates Review
    • Snorkeling Gear
      • Best Full Face Snorkel Mask
      • Best Snorkel Mask Reviews for 2022
      • Best Prescription Snorkeling Mask Reviews
      • Best Dry Snorkel Reviews
    • Spearfishing
      • Best Spearfishing Masks Review
      • Best Spearfishing Pole Spear in 2022
      • The Best Spearguns
      • Best Spearfishing Wetsuit Review
    • Surface Marker Buoys
      • What is the Best SMB for Diving?
    • Tanks
      • The 10 Best Scuba Tanks in 2022
    • Underwater Drones
      • Best Underwater Drones For Sale 2022
    • Underwater Lights
      • Thee Best Underwater Strobes in 2022
      • Best Scuba Dive Lights
    • Underwater Metal Detectors
      • Best Underwater Metal Detector Reviews
    • Underwater Photography
      • Best Underwater Camera Housing Review
      • Best Lenses for Underwater Photography
      • Best Waterproof Camera
      • Thee Best Underwater Strobes in 2022
      • Best Underwater Camera Reviews in 2022
    • Underwater Signaling Devices
      • Best Scuba Underwater Noise Maker Reviews
    • VHF Marine Radios
      • Best Marine VHF Radios Reviews
    • Wetsuits
      • Women’s Wetsuits
      • Best Scuba Diving Wetsuits Reviews
      • The Best Scuba Diving Wetsuit – Features and Description
      • Best Spearfishing Wetsuit Review
      • Best Surfing Wetsuits
      • Best Wetsuits for Kayaking
  • Scuba Basics
    • Level 3: PADI Rescue Diver Requirements & Course Description
    • Level II: Advanced Open Water Dive Course
    • Flying After Diving – What You Need to Know
    • Decompression Sickness Signs, Symptoms & Prevention
    • What is Nitrogen Narcosis?
    • Scuba Diving Buoyancy Control
    • Scuba Diving Buddy System
    • Learning to Dive – Level 1: The Open Water Diver Course
    • How to Become a Certified Diver – FAQ
    • Reasons to Become a Certified Scuba Diver
  • Liveaboards/Resorts A – I
    • Alaska
      • Scuba Diving in Anchorage Alaska
    • Arctic/Antarctic
      • Scuba Diving Antarctica & the Arctic – Liveaboards
    • Argentina
      • Scuba Diving in Argentina Ushuaia Tierra Del Fuego
      • Best Diving Peninsula Valdes Argentina
    • Australia
      • Byron Bay Scuba Diving Australia
      • Scuba Diving in Townsville Australia
      • Scuba Diving the Whitsundays Australia
      • Scuba Diving from Port Douglas Australia
      • Scuba Diving in Cairns Australia
      • Scuba Diving in Adelaide South Australia
      • Scuba Diving in Gold Coast Australia Review
      • Scuba Diving Brisbane Australia
      • Best Scuba Diving in Melbourne Australia
      • Best Scuba Diving in Sydney Australia
      • Best Scuba Diving Perth Australia
      • Best Scuba Diving in Tasmania
      • Scuba Diving in Ningaloo Reef Western Australia Liveaboard
      • Best Scuba Diving Australia Liveaboards
    • Brazil
      • Best Diving in Abrolhos Islands Brazil
      • Best Fernando de Noronha Brazil Scuba Diving
    • Burma
      • Best Scuba Diving in Myanmar Liveaboards
    • California
      • Best Scuba Diving San Clemente Island California
      • Channel Islands National Park Diving
      • Best Scuba Diving San Diego California
      • Best Scuba Diving Catalina Island California
      • Best Monterey Bay Scuba Diving
    • Cambodia
      • Best Scuba Diving Cambodia
    • Carribbean, Bermuda & Cocos Islands
      • Best Cenote Diving Yucatan Mexico
      • Scuba Diving the BVI (British Virgin Islands)
      • Scuba Diving in the British Virgin Islands Liveaboard
      • Best Scuba Diving in the US Virgin Islands
      • Best Scuba Diving St. Barts
      • Best Scuba Diving St. Eustatius
      • Best Scuba Diving in Saba
      • Scuba Diving St Kitts and Nevis
      • Banco Chinchorro Diving Mexico
      • Scuba Diving Playa Del Carmen Mexico
      • Best Scuba Diving Tulum Mexico
      • Best Scuba Diving in Roatan Honduras
      • Best Roatan Honduras Diving Liveaboards
      • Best Scuba Diving in Haiti
      • Best Scuba Diving in the Bahamas
      • Liveaboard Diving in the Bahamas
      • Best Scuba Diving Ambergris Caye Belize
      • Best Scuba Diving San Andres Colombia
      • Scuba Diving Providencia Colombia
      • Best Scuba Diving in Guadeloupe
      • Scuba Diving in Anguilla
      • Best Scuba Diving in Antigua and Barbuda
      • Best Scuba Diving Jamaica
      • Best Diving in Cuba Reviews
      • Best Scuba Diving Cuba Liveaboard – Jardines de la Reina
      • Best Scuba Diving Dominican Republic
      • Best Diving in Panama
      • Best Scuba Diving Cancun Mexico
      • Best Scuba Diving Puerto Rico
      • Scuba Diving St. Vincent and the Grenadines Review
      • Best St Lucia Scuba Diving
      • Best Scuba Diving in Cozumel Mexico
      • Best Scuba Diving St. Martin
      • Best Scuba Diving in Turks and Caicos
      • Scuba Diving the Cayman Islands
      • Best Scuba Diving in Trinidad & Tobago
      • Best Curacao Scuba Diving Guide
      • Best Scuba Diving in Aruba
      • Best Scuba Diving Bonaire Netherlands Antilles
      • The Best Diving in Dominica
      • Best Los Roques Venezuela Diving
      • Best Scuba Diving in Bermuda
      • Best Scuba Diving Barbados
      • Best Scuba Diving in Grenada
      • Best Scuba Diving in Martinique
      • Costa Rica Scuba Diving Reviews
      • Best Dive Trips to Belize & Cocos Island Liveaboard Diving
      • Best Caribbean Liveaboard Diving
    • Central America
      • Best Cenote Diving Yucatan Mexico
      • Banco Chinchorro Diving Mexico
      • Scuba Diving Playa Del Carmen Mexico
      • Best Scuba Diving Tulum Mexico
      • Scuba Diving Socorro Islands Liveaboards
      • Scuba Diving the Sea of Cortez Midriff Island Liveaboards
      • Best Scuba Diving Loreto Mexico
      • Cabo Pulmo National Park Diving Review
      • Best Scuba Diving La Paz Mexico
      • Best Scuba Diving Cabo San Lucas Mexico
      • Puerto Vallarta Mexico Diving Review
      • Best Diving in Panama
      • Best Scuba Diving Cancun Mexico
      • Cozumel Scuba Diving Review
      • Best Roatan Honduras Diving Liveaboards
      • Costa Rica Scuba Diving Reviews
      • Best Scuba Diving Ambergris Caye Belize
      • Best Dive Trips to Belize & Cocos Island Liveaboard Diving
      • Best Scuba Diving Mexico – Guadalupe Island Shark Diving and Socorro Island Liveaboards
    • Colombia
      • Diving in Malpelo Island Colombia
      • Best Scuba Diving San Andres Colombia
      • Scuba Diving Providencia Colombia
        • Banco Chinchorro Diving Mexico
    • Europe
      • Costa Brava Spain Scuba Diving
      • Best Scuba Diving Menorca Spain
      • Best Scuba Diving on Mallorca Spain
      • Best Scuba Diving on Ibiza Spain
      • Best Scuba Diving Lofoten Norway
      • Best Scuba Diving in Sicily
      • Best Scapa Flow Wreck Diving
      • Scuba Diving Sardinia Italy
      • Best Scuba Diving in Greece
      • Best Scuba Diving in Portugal
      • Best Scuba Diving in Cyprus
      • Montenegro Scuba Diving Review
      • Best Scuba Diving Croatia
      • Best Scuba Diving in Crete
      • Best Diving in Malta
      • Best Scuba Diving Italy Tuscan Archipelago Liveaboard
      • Best Scuba Diving Isle of Man
    • Florida & Atlantic Coast
      • Best Scuba Diving Fort Myers Florida
      • Best Scuba Diving in Sarasota Florida
      • Best Scuba Diving Myrtle Beach (SC)
      • Best Scuba Diving Marathon Key Florida
      • Best Scuba Diving Islamorada Florida
      • Best Scuba Diving in Key West Florida
      • Best Scuba Diving Key Largo Florida
      • Scuba Diving West Palm Beach Florida
      • Best Scuba Diving Fort Lauderdale Florida
      • Panama City Florida Scuba Diving
      • Scuba Diving in Pensacola Florida
    • Galapagos
      • Scuba Diving the Galapagos Islands
      • Galapagos Liveaboard Dive Trips
    • Hong Kong
      • Best Scuba Diving in Hong Kong
    • Indian Ocean
      • Great White Shark Cage Diving Gansbaai South Africa
      • Shark Diving in Mossel Bay South Africa
      • Best Scuba Diving in Pondicherry India
      • Best Scuba Diving Goa India
      • Best Scuba Diving Maldives
      • Best Maldives Liveaboard Scuba Diving
      • Cape Town Scuba Diving Review
      • Scuba Diving Port Elizabeth South Africa
      • Protea Banks Shark Diving South Africa
      • Scuba Diving Aliwal Shoal South Africa
      • Sodwana Bay Scuba Diving South Africa
      • Scuba Diving the Andaman Islands
      • Best Diving in Mozambique
      • Best Scuba Diving Mombasa Kenya
      • Best Reunion Island Scuba Diving Reviewed
      • Best Diving in Zanzibar Reviewed
      • Best Scuba Diving Mauritius
      • Sri Lanka Diving Review
      • Best Scuba Diving Madagascar Liveaboards
      • Scuba Diving the Seychelles – Liveaboards
    • Indonesia
      • Scuba Diving Raja Ampat Indonesia
      • Best Raja Ampat Liveaboards
      • Best Diving Derawan Islands Liveaboards
      • Best Diving in Gili Islands Indonesia Reviewed
      • Best Sulawesi & Halmahera Liveaboard Diving
      • Best Diving Indonesia – Pulau Weh Diving
      • Best Indonesia Liveaboard Diving – Alor and Flores
      • Best Indonesia Liveaboard Diving – Cenderawasih Bay
      • Best Indonesia Diving – Wakatobi Liveaboard Diving
      • Best North Sulawesi Scuba Diving – Bunaken Island & Lembeh Strait Indonesia
      • Banda Sea Diving Liveaboards Indonesia
      • Komodo Island Scuba Diving Liveaboards
      • Best Scuba Diving in Bali Indonesia
  • Liveaboards/Resorts J – Z
    • Japan
      • Best Scuba Diving Okinawa Japan
    • Macronesia (Atlantic) & West Africa
      • Best Diving in Dakar Senegal
      • Best Scuba Diving the Canary Islands
      • Scuba Diving the Azores
      • Best Scuba Diving in Cape Verde Islands
      • Scuba Diving Madeira Islands Portugal
    • Malaysia
      • Kuching Diving Sarawak Malaysia
      • Best Scuba Diving Langkawi Malaysia
      • Scuba Diving in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia
      • Best Diving Redang Island Malaysia
      • Best Diving Malaysia Labuan Wrecks
      • Scuba Diving in Perhentian Islands Malaysia
      • Best Scuba Diving Tioman Island
      • Best Dive Resorts Malaysia – Layang Layang Island & Lankayan Island Borneo
      • Best Sipadan Island Scuba Diving
    • Middle East
      • Best Scuba Diving in Israel
      • Best Scuba Diving Eilat Israel
      • Best Diving Nuweiba Egypt
      • Best Scuba Diving Jeddah Saudi Arabia
      • Best Dahab Diving Holidays
      • Best Marsa Alam Egypt Diving
      • Best Scuba Diving Sharm el Sheikh Egypt
      • Scuba Diving Hurghada Egypt Review
      • Best Scuba Diving in Aqaba Jordan
      • Best Red Sea Liveaboards
      • Scuba Diving Fujairah & Dubai
      • Best Liveaboard Diving in Djibouti
      • Best Diving in Oman – Muscat
      • Best Liveaboard Diving in Oman
    • New Zealand
      • Scuba Diving Bay of Islands New Zealand
      • Milford Sound Scuba Diving New Zealand
      • Poor Knights Islands Diving New Zealand
    • Pacific Islands
      • Scuba Diving Pohnpei Micronesia
      • Best Scuba Diving Samoa
      • Best Scuba Diving Easter Island Chile
      • Best Scuba Diving Molokai Hawaii
      • Best Scuba Diving Maui Hawaii
      • Best Scuba Diving Kauai Hawaii
      • Best Scuba Diving Oahu Hawaii
      • Best Scuba Diving Hawaii Liveaboard
      • Best Scuba Diving Palau Micronesia
      • Best Liveaboard Diving Palau Micronesia
      • Best Kosrae Scuba Diving Micronesia
      • Scuba Diving the Cook Islands
      • Best Scuba Diving in Tonga
      • Scuba Diving New Caledonia Review
      • Best Scuba Diving in Vanuatu
      • Yap Scuba Diving Review
      • Best Scuba Diving in Guam Review
      • Best Scuba Diving in Saipan
      • Best Scuba Diving Fiji
      • Bikini Atoll & Truk Lagoon Wrecks – Liveaboards
      • Best Diving French Polynesia Liveaboards
      • Liveaboard Scuba Diving in the Solomon Islands
    • Pacific Northwest (North America)
      • Best Nanaimo Scuba Diving British Columbia
      • Scuba Diving British Columbia – Howe Sound
      • Best Scuba Diving San Juan Islands Washington
    • Papua New Guinea
      • Papua New Guinea Scuba Diving Review
      • Best Papua New Guinea Liveaboard Diving
    • Philippines
      • Best Scuba Diving Coron Philippines
      • Scuba Diving Apo Reef & Coron Wrecks Liveaboards
      • Best Scuba Diving Romblon Philippines
      • Camiguin Island Diving Review
      • Scuba Diving Siquijor Island Philippines Review
      • Best Dumaguete Philippines Scuba Diving
      • Best Scuba Diving Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines
      • Best Diving in the Philippines Visayas Liveaboards
      • Best Diving Philippines – Anilao Diving
      • Best Scuba Diving Moalboal Philippines
      • Best Diving in Malapascua Philippines
      • Best Diving Philippines – Anda Scuba Diving
      • Scuba Diving in El Nido Palawan
      • Best Mactan Island Scuba Diving Philippines
      • Best Sogod Bay Dive Sites Philippines
      • Best Scuba Diving Boracay Philippines
      • Best Scuba Diving Puerto Galera Philippines
      • Best Panglao Island Scuba Diving Philippines
      • Scuba Diving in Subic Bay Philippines
      • Best Tubbataha Reef Liveaboards – Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
      • Best Liveaboard Diving Philippines in Malapascua & the Visayas
    • Taiwan
      • Best Scuba Diving Kenting Taiwan
      • Best Scuba Diving Green Island Taiwan
      • Best Orchid Island Taiwan Diving
    • Thailand
      • Koh Lipe Scuba Diving Thailand
      • Best Diving in Krabi Thailand
      • Best Scuba Diving Khao Lak Thailand
      • Chumphon Scuba Diving Thailand
      • Best Scuba Diving Koh Chang Thailand
      • Best Scuba Diving in Pattaya Thailand
      • Best Koh Tao Thailand Diving
      • Best Phuket Thailand Scuba Diving Liveaboards
      • Best Scuba Diving Thailand Liveaboards
    • Vietnam
      • Nha Trang Scuba Diving Vietnam
  • Books & Media
    • Best Ocean Documentary Reviews
    • Top 10 Best Scuba Diving Movies of All Time
    • Best Scuba Diving Books Ever – Cave & Underwater Explorer Diving
    • Best Scuba Diving Books Ever – Educational & Reference
    • Best Scuba Diving Books Ever – Sea Life & Safety/Survival
    • Best Scuba Diving Books Ever – Wreck & Inspirational
    • Best Scuba Diving Books Ever – Children’s & Fiction
    • Best Scuba Diving Books Ever – Underwater Photography & Freediving
    • Best Scuba Diving Books – Pacific Northwest Marine Life
  • Swimming
    • Best Women’s Swim Shorts
    • Best Men’s Swimming Trunks
    • Best Men’s Board Shorts
    • Best Swimming Headphones
    • The Best Swim Parka of 2022
    • The Best Swim Goggles
  • Boating
    • Boating Accessories
      • Best Dry Bags Reviews in 2022
      • Best Fishing Knives Reviews
      • Best Sailing Knife Reviews
      • Best Rain Gear for Fishing
      • Best Boat Trailer Tongue Jacks in 2022
      • Best Boat Trailer Winch Reviews
      • Best Bimini Tops for Boats
      • Best Inflatable Boat Launching Wheels
      • Best Boat Ladder Review
      • Boat Anchor Rope Reviews
      • Best Boat Anchor Review in 2022
      • Best First Aid Kits 2022
    • Binoculars
      • Best Night Vision Binoculars for 2022
      • Marine Binoculars
    • Canoes
      • Best Inflatable Canoes Reviews
      • Canoes
      • Best Canoe Paddles Review
    • Coolers
      • Soft Side Coolers
      • Marine Coolers
    • Electronics
      • Best Electric Air Pump for Inflatables in 2022
      • Best Marine VHF Radios Reviews
      • Best Kayak Fish Finder Review
      • The Best Marine GPS
      • Best Handheld GPS Review in 2022
    • Inflatable Boats
      • Best Inflatable Boat Launching Wheels
      • Best Inflatable Dinghy Review
      • Best Inflatable Pontoon Boats for Fishing in 2022
      • Inflatable Boats
    • Kayak Accessories
      • Best Kayak Knives Review
      • Best Kayak Rod Holders
      • Best Kayak Seat Review
      • Best Kayak Storage Racks Review
      • Best Gifts For a Kayaker
      • Best Kayak Compasses of 2022
      • Best Kayak Anchor Systems
      • Best Kayak Bilge Pump Reviews in 2022
      • Best Electric Air Pump for Inflatables in 2022
      • Best Kayak Roof Rack Systems
      • Best Kayak Carts Review in 2022
      • Best Dry Bags Reviews in 2022
      • Best Water Shoes for Kayaking
      • Best Kayak Helmet Reviews in 2022
      • Best Wetsuits for Kayaking
      • Best Drysuit for Kayaking in 2022
      • Best Kayak Fishing Paddle Reviews
      • Top 10 Best Kayak Paddles of 2022
      • Best Kayak Fishing Life Jacket Reviews in 2022
      • Best Kayaking Life Jackets for Women Review
      • Best Life Vest Kayaking
    • Kayaks
      • Best Motorized Kayaks in 2022
      • Best Pedal Kayak of 2022
      • Best Kayaks for Kids in 2022
      • Best Kayaks for Women in 2022
      • Best Touring Kayaks
      • Best Tandem Kayaks for 2022
      • Best Whitewater Kayaks for Beginners
      • Best Kayak for Lakes Review
      • Best Ocean Kayaks
      • Best Ocean Fishing Kayak Reviews
      • Top Ten Fishing Kayaks in 2022
      • Best Beginner Kayaks Reviews in 2022
      • Best Recreational Kayaks
      • Best Inflatable Kayaks
    • Life Jackets
      • Best Jet Ski Life Jackets
      • Best Wakeboard Life Jackets Review
      • Besst Inflatable Life Jackets Reviews
      • Best Kayak Fishing Life Jacket Reviews in 2022
      • Best SUP Life Vest Reviews
      • Best Kayaking Life Jackets for Women Review
      • Best Life Vest for Kayaking Review
    • Motors
      • Best Electric Trolling Motors Reviews
      • Best Small Outboard Motor Reviews
      • Best Kayak Trolling Motor Review in 2022
  • Board Sports
    • Best Electric Air Pump for Inflatables in 2022
      • Best Electric Air Pump for Inflatables in 2022
    • Stand Up Paddleboards
      • Top 10 Stand Up Paddle Boards
      • Best Paddleboard for Yoga
      • Best Stand Up Paddle Board for Surfing Review
      • Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Reviews
      • Best Fishing SUP Boards of 2022
    • SUP Accessories
      • Best Paddle Board Paddles Reviews
      • Best SUP Life Vest Reviews
      • Best SUP Roof Rack Systems
    • Best Skimboard Brands in 2022
      • Best Skimboard Brands in 2022
    • Best Wakesurf Boards
      • Best Wakesurf Boards in 2021
    • Body Boards
      • Best Bodyboards
      • The Best Boogie Boards for Kids in 2022
      • Best Bodyboarding Fins Review
    • Surfboards
      • Top 10 Best Surfboards for 2022
      • Best Soft Top Surfboards Review
      • Best Surfboards for Beginners
      • Best Surfboards for Kids
    • Surfing Accessories
      • Best Women’s Swim Shorts
      • Best Men’s Board Shorts
      • Best Surfing Watches of 2022
      • Best Surfboard Travel Bag Reviews
      • Best Surfboard Racks for Cars
      • Best Surfing Booties of 2022
      • Best Rash Guards for Men
      • Best Rash Guards for Women in 2022
      • Best Surfing Wetsuits
  • Towables
    • Best Electric Air Pump for Inflatables in 2022
    • What’s the Best Kneeboard?
    • Best Wakeboards
    • Best Wakeboard Life Jackets Review
    • Best Water Skis for 2022
    • Best Wakesurf Boards
    • Best Towable Tubes
  • Beach
    • Best Beach Cruisers
    • Best Beach Wagons or Carts
    • Waterproof Bags
    • Best Soft Coolers for 2022
    • Best Beach Coolers for 2022
    • Best Marine Coolers Review
    • Best Beach Chairs for 2022
    • Best Beach Umbrellas Review
    • Best Beach Canopy Reviews
    • Best Beach Tent Reviews
  • Cycling
    • Best Kids Electric Scooter
    • Best Adult Electric Scooter
    • Best Folding Bikes
    • Best Camera for Cycling Review
    • Best MTB Lights in 2022
    • Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes in 2022
    • Best Gravel Bike Under $2,000 in 2022
    • Best Beginner Road Bikes in 2022
    • Best Bike Computers of 2022
    • Best Comfort Bike Reviews
    • Best Children’s Mountain Bikes
    • Best Women’s Mountain Bike Helmets
    • Best Mountain Bike Helmets 2022
    • Best Affordable Electric Bikes in 2022
    • Best Women’s Mountain Bikes
    • Top 10 Best BMX Bikes in 2022
    • Best Mountain Bikes Under $1,000 of 2022
    • Best Budget Mountain Bike Review
    • Best Fat Bikes for 2022
    • Best Single Speed Bike Reviews
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  • Camping
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Best Koh Tao Thailand Diving

10:02 am by Joe 8 Comments

Blue Spotted Stingray Koh Tao Thailand
Blue Spotted Stingray – Koh Tao, Thailand

Updated March 19, 2022

Are you looking for your dream dive vacation? This is the seventh in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations around the world.  In this post, the focus will be Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand.

In addition to this series on dive resort locations, the best worldwide liveaboard dive locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards / Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you ever been diving in Koh Tao before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Koh Tao Thailand Diving

Koh Tao or Turtle Island is in the Gulf of Thailand southwest of Bangkok and just north of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.  Long known as a favorite of backpackers and travelers, there are more PADI diving students trained there than any place outside of Australia. People go not only for the diving and snorkeling but perhaps even more so for the beach and resort atmosphere, as well.

The diving is pretty good, but not quite at the elite level of the Andaman Sea diving in the Similan and Surin Islands.  The coral reef is rich and diverse and whale, leopard, reef, and bull sharks, turtles, lots of schooling fish, pelagics, and barracuda can be found there.

A lot of the diving in the many bays is suitable for students and beginners, but there are some more challenging dives, too.

Koh Tao Diving Sites

Chumphon Pinnacle: Koh Tao’s most famous site, granite pinnacle starting at 12 meters at the peak to a maximum depth of 35 meters, anemone covered rocks at the base, batfish, big grouper, yellowtail barracuda, big schools of jacks, leopard sharks on the sandy bottom or reef edge, lionfish fusiliers, rabbitfish, bannerfish, cobia, queenfish, rainbow runners and whale sharks, can be some current, depth and current make it an advanced dive

Ao Leuk (translated Deep Bay) – actually paradoxically is a shallow bay with a sandy bottom, maximum depth of 20 meters, variety of hard corals, lots of reef fish, schools of juvenile yellowtail barracuda, goatfish, gobies, stingrays, and turtles, suitable for beginners

Hin Wong Pinnacle – in Hin Wong Bay,12-30 meters, tabletop formation, lots of purple soft corals and sea fans, whip and black corals, swarming damselfish, Christmas tree worms (tubeworms), white-eyed moray eels, big groupers, snappers, sweetlips, boxfish, queenfish, barracuda, schools of fusiliers and other small reef fish, turtles, open water to advanced level

Koh Nang Yuan – small islet connected by a thin strip of sand to Koh Tao, several relaxed easy sites for scuba or snorkeling, lots of reef fish

Nang Yuan Pinnacle – on the east coast of Koh Tao, peaks reach 2 meters in depth, nooks, crannies, boulders, swim-throughs, crevices, Moorish idols, oriental sweetlips, angelfish, octopus, cuttlefish

Green Rock – big rocky boulder formation northwest of Koh Nang Yuan from 5 to 28 meters, small caverns, swim-throughs, overhangs, lots of nudibranchs, trevallies, stingrays, morays, angelfish, groupers, batfish, sea snakes, titan and yellow margin triggerfish (can be aggressive when nesting), beginner to advanced level

Twins – south of Koh Nang Yuan, 2 rock reef patches from 6-18 meters, rich marine life, lots of anemones and clownfish, blue-spotted stingrays, angelfish, gobies, grouper, beginner level

Shark Island – shaped like a shark, boulders on the east side, lots of reef fish, the rare orange-spined unicornfish, on the south side a soft coral garden at 14 meters with occasional leopard shark and turtle sightings, on the east side hard coral shallows with large schools of small reef fish, crocodile long-toms, snapper, angelfish, bannerfish, stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, occasional strong currents, without the current, good for beginners

Southwest Pinnacle – 13 km southwest of Koh Tao, similar to Chumphon Pinnacle, 6-28 meters, limestone boulder mount covered in pink and gold anemones with spine cheek anemonefish, black corals, sea fans, leopard sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, hexagon, coral, and marbled groupers, large cobia, bull and whale sharks, schools of reef fish and juvenile yellowtail barracuda and squid, in the open, no protection from waves

White Rock – midway between Mae Haad Pier and Koh Nang Yuan, 2 large boulders with a few meters between them, patches of coral and smaller rocks, 6-22 meters, wrasse, butterflyfish, angelfish, white-eyed morays, blue-spotted stingrays, a resident green turtle

Mango Bay – sheltered bay, rich corals, sandy bottom good for training, 6-18 meters, various wrasses, batfish, triggerfish, and parrotfish

Red Rock Drop-off – split rocky pinnacle west of Koh Nangyuan, 5-20 meters, shrimp, moray eels, boulders, swim-throughs, turtles, pipefish, triggerfish, Jenkin’s whip ray, advanced level

MY Trident – scuttled in 2010 to create a reef, south of Shark Island, 36 meters, moderate current, advanced dive, good for nitrox, lots of fish and crustaceans

HTMS Sattakut – troop carrier scuttled in 2011 to create a reef, near Hin Pee Wee of the east coast of Koh Tao, 16-30 meters, bigger ship with anti-aircraft guns on bow and stern, intermediate level, big snappers, barracuda, pufferfish, triggerfish, and crustaceans

Sail Rock – 30-meter tall granite pinnacle, halfway between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, no other rocks nearby, provides a focus for all fish in the area including whale sharks, big schools of trevallies, king mackerel, queenfish, grouper, and whale sharks, smaller rocks around it provide habitat for reef sharks, has a “chimney” formation with an entry at 20 meters and exits at 15 and 10 meters with many macro critters within, like boxer shrimps and moray eels

The water temperature ranges from 27-30°C throughout the year.  The best time to dive is from May to August. November to January is the rainy season with wind and rain peaking in November. December and then again in July and August, it is very busy with tourists and the accompanying price hikes.  March through June and then again in September tourist traffic is down and it’s a bit more peaceful and cheaper.

Visibility ranges from 5to 25 meters. When there are rain and wind it moves toward the bottom end of the range.

Dozens of dive shops operate in Koh Tao and Koh Samui.  There will be different styles and competencies, so you would be well advised to look around a bit before selecting one to provide services, particularly dive courses.

Reef Summary

  • Depth: 5-40 meters
  • Visibility: 5-25 meters
  • Currents: from non-existent to strong
  • Surface conditions: smooth to choppy
  • Water temperature: 27-30°C
  • Experience level: beginner to advanced

Koh Samui Scuba Diving

Koh Samui is particularly known for its wonderful resorts, nightlife, and excellent beaches.  Most of the diving around it isn’t too outstanding, though.  A lot of the time the visibility on the sites nearest the island is very poor.  The dive operators there make a lot of trips up to Koh Tao to take advantage of the diving there, in spite of the fact that it can take an hour or more by speedboat to reach some of the sites.  There are a few more or less local sites that rise above the rest.

Koh Samui Diving Sites

Koh Yippon – sheltered site north of Angthong Marine Park to the west, 18-meter maximum depth, barrel sponges, soft corals and anemones in the shallows, blue-spotted stingrays, big snappers, yellow-tailed barracuda, and schools of reef fish like fusiliers as depth increases, suitable for divers and snorkelers

Koh Wao (Dragon Island) – looks like a sleeping dragon, boulders in a shallow bay with rich reef life, calm water, hard corals, anemones, sand bottom at 20 meters at the base big rocks with stingrays, snappers, fusiliers, barracuda, and trevallies, appropriate for all levels

Koh Tao Dive Site Map Thailand Scuba Diving

Koh Tao Dive Site Map

Koh Samui Thailand Map
Koh Samui Thailand Map

Koh Tao Photos

With the macro life, beautiful, diverse coral reef, megafauna, and lots of fish, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of diving cameras, click here:

  • Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed

Koh Tao and Koh Samui Accommodation

Koh Tao and Koh Samui have many hotels and resorts from the lowest price backpacker hostel to the most luxurious full-service resorts.

This website is a good source for the available options and can arrange a booking:

  • Koh Samui Accommodation
  • Koh Tao Accommodation

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on Koh Tao scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have diving there.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<

Filed Under: Resort Diving

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emmanuel Buysse says

    at 10:13 am

    Great post and good info. 

    You don’t make it easy to me, I want to visit one of the locations you have been reviewed, and all of them are amazing, as well as this one. 

    It looks beautiful, I checked pictures of it online, and really I don’t know where to go first. 

    I want to ask this to you, which location is for you the number one? 

    Thanks for sharing! 

    Reply
    • Joe says

      at 11:49 am

      Hi Emmanuel,

      It’s good to see you again since your last note after the Oman liveaboard post.  Thanks a lot for your kind comments.

      Almost all the dive sites I have reviewed have something special to offer and are worth hundreds of dives to explore them.  The Philippines holds a special place in my heart as I have done most of my diving here and love the variety and richness of the diving.

      When you get your start in diving, please let me know how it goes.

      Best regards,

      Joe

      Reply
  2. Laura says

    at 10:13 am

    It’s great to see that there’s no shortage on diving sites around Koh Samui and that a lot of them are accessible for beginners like myself. Thanks for once again providing so much detailed info, as this is very helpful in deciding if and when to go. Another one to put on my list of potential places to visit!

    Reply
    • Joe says

      at 11:53 am

      Hi Laura,

      I’m glad the information intrigued you.  I hope you get a chance to do some diving soon.

      Koh Samui and Koh Tao are great places to learn.  The dive sites are very suitable for learners. The basic open water diver class takes about 4 days and includes some study, 5 shallow water classes to learn the skills and 4 open water dives to practice the skills and have a supervised introduction to the undersea world.

      Please let me know if and when you get started or have any questions about diving.

      Best regards,

      Joe

      Reply
  3. Edwin IBU says

    at 10:17 am

    I haven’t ever gone on vacation. I dream about the day I get the chance to travel to Thailand. Most of all I’m interested in scuba diving. I heard it’s fun, especially in such a great beach atmosphere. This post highlights the best scuba diving in Thailand. Koh Tao scuba diving seems so intriguing. From depths of 12m and above it must be exciting, indeed.

    I’ve always wanted to explore the coral reef. I believe I would need to learn how to swim before I can scuba dive, right?. I love Thailand. Hopefully I will make the trip there in the coming year.

    Reply
    • Joe says

      at 12:11 pm

      Hi Edwin,

      Thanks a lot for you interest and comments.

      Exploring the coral reef in Koh Tao would be a real eye-opening experience for you.  To get a diving license you need to be able to swim 200 yards without stopping. Before reaching that level it is possible to do a “discover scuba diving” experience.  For this an instructor would teach you some diving theory in class and take you into very shallow water to practice some basic skills and then supervise you extremely closely on a dive up to 12 meters in depth on the coral reef.  I’ve done this with hundreds of divers.  They all love it.  I hope you get the chance to do it.

      Please let me know if you are able to go to Thailand. I’d love to see that you have given it a try.

      Best regards,

      Joe

      Reply
  4. Katya says

    at 10:21 am

    Hi Joe, I plan to go on a vacation to Thailand in couple of months and would like to dive there as well, as I have heard it is a must-do. I did my open water PADI course years ago and I know if you don’t dive for more than 2 years you have to do a refresher course. And I haven’t dove in years. Do you think it is possible to do a refresher course in Koh Tao? Also, as I am a rookie diver I noticed I am afraid to dive from the boat, specifically if there’s no structure to dive next to. Keeping this is mind, which site do you feel would be most suitable to start with?

    Thank you for your help,

    Katya

    Reply
    • Joe says

      at 12:00 pm

      Hi Katya,

      Thanks for getting in touch.  Koh Tao is a beautiful spot to catch up on your diving and have a first rate seaside vacation.

      They are particularly well set up to help you refresh your skills.  Sites like Mango Bay provide excellent walk in diving, without the use of a boat.  The instructors there will be eager and happy to help you.

      Let me know how it goes.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

      Best regards,

      Joe

      Reply

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