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Shark Island

3.8 — based on 26 community signals
4.2 12 species 29 contributors

Shark Island in Thailand's Surat Thani province offers year-round diving with documented marine life and active community data.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
BleachingRiskShore entryFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators POIs Airport Nearby spots
Shark Island location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
kn
Wave
0.3 m
Water
29.5°C
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.26m

Next: Low at 05:00 (+0.3m)

+1.5 m+0.2 m
▼ 05:00 · +0.3m ▲ 15:00 · +1.47m ▼ 06:00 · +0.31m ▲ 16:00 · +1.45m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV— · — Air PM2.52 · good
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 0.46
09-20 0.22
09-21 0.08
09-22 0.08
09-23 0.2
09-24 0.36
09-25 0.54
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions
DHW: 0.1°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch

About this spot

Shark Island sits in Ao Hin Ngam bay within Surat Thani province, Thailand. The site operates outside a marine protected area, making it accessible for independent dive planning. Divers report 12 documented species observations at the location, giving you a solid baseline for what to expect underwater. The spot has built a small community around it—three community-submitted videos are available, offering real-world footage from recent dives. This peer-generated content can help you understand conditions and plan your entry. Year-round access means you can visit any season, though like all Thai sites, monsoon patterns affect sea state and visibility. Coral bleaching remains a watch-status issue here, consistent with broader Southeast Asian reef conditions. Check current reports before your dive to assess real-time health. The combination of open access, known species checklist, and community documentation makes Shark Island a practical choice for divers exploring Surat Thani's coastal offerings.

📖 Guide: Diving in Thailand: 73 Sites from Whale Sharks to Shallow Reefs

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B/C · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 9835km · ~2262kg · €41

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 11h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 12h east · 8 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Shark Island?

Shark Island is accessible year-round. However, check seasonal monsoon forecasts for Surat Thani before booking, as weather and sea state vary by season. Community videos may show current conditions.

What difficulty level and depths should I expect?

Specific depth ranges and difficulty ratings are not documented for this site. Review the three available community videos and contact local operators in Surat Thani for current conditions and depth information.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations have been recorded at Shark Island. Check species databases and community reports for the most recent sightings before your dive.

Do I need permits to dive here?

Shark Island lies outside a marine protected area, so standard Thai diving regulations apply. Confirm current requirements with local dive operators or Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Nava Scuba Diving

2.1 km
4.9 (771 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 27+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

French Kiss Divers - Chalok

2.1 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-19:00

Pura Vida Diving

2.1 km
5.0 (3,304 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 46+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Hydronauts Diving Resort

2.2 km
4.7 (438 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 25+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Ihasia Diving Koh Tao

2.2 km
5.0 (1,379 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 35+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM

U&I Place

3.2 km
Dive centre
Phone: 091646550
Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-18:00

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

9 records · 7 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Rhinobatos

Elasmobranchii · Rhinobatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
18 Jul 1960
×1records

Sabaco steineri

Polychaeta · Maldanidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Nov 1957
×2records
Depth:
12 m

Loimia

Polychaeta · Terebellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Nov 1957
×1records
Depth:
12 m

Asthenognathus

Malacostraca · Varunidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Nov 1957
×1records
Depth:
12 m

Leucosiidae

Malacostraca · Leucosiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Nov 1957
×1records
Depth:
12 m

Veneridae

Bivalvia · Veneridae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Nov 1957
×1records
Depth:
12 m

Temnopleurus toreumaticus

Echinoidea · Temnopleuridae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Nov 1957
×1records
Depth:
12 m

Rhinobatos

Elasmobranchii · Rhinobatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
Invalid Date
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

The BEST Diving in Thailand 🇹🇭 Diving Koh Tao 2025

Jess and Dave
💬 3 top comments
  • I love these dive sites. I want to go back.

    @lichtfang-photography · 👍 1
  • Beautiful under water scene ❤absolutely worth a visit

    @AbbyAren · 👍 2
  • ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉you are welcome to Thailan

    @saowaneesurapakdee7599 · 👍 3

The ONLY Koh Tao Itinerary You Will EVER Need!

Bangkok Jack
💬 3 top comments
  • Andy is a perfect example of someone who’s living in a bubble and not in touch with reality.

    @will_274 · 👍 0
  • learned how to dive in Koh Tao in 2023, came back for the Advanced in 2024. Love the island 🥰

    @twowheelsanddiving · 👍 0
  • Amazing video Jack! Thank you.

    @ImaginationBlue · 👍 0

Diving with Bull Shark in Sail Rock, Koh Tao

Scuba Birds PADI 5 * IDC Dive Center, Koh Tao
💬 3 top comments
  • Oh wow! I didn't know bull sharks still existed around there! (but the only time I dove there was 2009...and Koh Tao didn't look so hot..but Sail Rock was great!) What other pelagics are common around Sail Rock (besides the occasional whale shark)?

    @joemam12 · 👍 4
  • Birichino non importunare i sub, te lo sempre detto sono indigesti🤔, che poi mi tocca portarti dal veterinario

    @LivioPedrocca · 👍 0
  • I went diving with Bull Sharks quite a few times in early 2010 in KT. Was great fun

    @ianpreece6391 · 👍 3
wind peaks Jul-Aug-Jun, calmest Mar-Oct-Apr, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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อ่าวลึก Thailand Diving
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อ่าวลึก

Year-round diving in Surat Thani's scenic Ao Hin Ngam bay. Accessible spot with growing community data and moderate marine biodiversity.

Jan·Feb·Mar+
Ocean Sound and Dive + Yoga Thailand Diving
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Ocean Sound and Dive + Yoga

Year-round diving and yoga retreats in Thailand blending underwater exploration with wellness practices.

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