Description
Ko Tao, Thailand: 12 Days of Diving on Turtle Island
September 5–16, 2026 · Hosted by Brandon · Whale shark season in the Gulf of Thailand
Ready to see whale sharks? Join Brandon for 12 days on Ko Tao — the tiny Thai island that certifies more new divers than nearly anywhere on Earth — for 16+ boat dives in 85°F water: granite pinnacles wrapped in barracuda, a sunken navy ship, night dives, and a real shot at the biggest fish in the sea. September is whale shark season, and we’ll be right in the middle of it.
We follow the fish, not a fixed schedule. Ko Tao’s dive boats go out every morning and afternoon, and we book just a day or two ahead — so if whale sharks show up at Chumphon Pinnacle on Tuesday, that’s where we’ll be Wednesday.
It’s happening. No minimum number of travellers, this trip is not contingent upon selling all spots.
All levels welcome. Open Water and up for the full trip. Not certified yet — or traveling with someone who isn’t? Ko Tao is the easiest, most affordable place on the planet to fix that.
Trip at a Glance
- Dates: September 5–16, 2026 (plan to arrive on the island by Sept 4–5)
- Where: Ko Tao, Gulf of Thailand
- Diving: 16 boat dives, including night dives and a Sail Rock day trip
- Water: 84–86°F — a rash guard or 3mm shorty is plenty
- Level: Open Water and up · courses and specialties available
- Group size: max 8 divers
- Price: from $2,000 + your flights and lodging (see below)
- Reserve by: Friday, August 21, 2026
The Diving
- Chumphon Pinnacle — Ko Tao’s signature dive. A granite seamount carpeted in sea anemones, circled by trevally and tornado-schools of chevron barracuda. When whale sharks visit Ko Tao, this is where they show up.
- Sail Rock (day trip) — the most famous site in the Gulf of Thailand, with a natural vertical chimney you swim up through the inside of the rock.
- HTMS Sattakut — a Thai navy vessel sunk as an artificial reef in 2011, now patrolled by grouper and snapper at 60–100 feet.
- Southwest Pinnacle, White Rock, Shark Island, Twins & Green Rock — the daily-rotation classics: green and hawksbill turtles, blue-spotted rays, blacktip reef sharks in the shallows, swim-throughs, and some of the fishiest rock in the Gulf.
- Night dives — trevally hunting under our lights and a completely different island after dark.
A Typical Rhythm (subject to change)
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 · Sat, Sept 5 | Arrive, gear fitting, welcome dinner on Sairee Beach |
| Day 2 | Warm-up dives — Twins & White Rock |
| Day 3 | Chumphon Pinnacle double |
| Day 4 | Wreck day: HTMS Sattakut · optional night dive |
| Day 5 | Southwest Pinnacle & Shark Island |
| Day 6 | Surface day — Nang Yuan viewpoint, snorkeling, hammock |
| Day 7 | Sail Rock day trip (3 dives) |
| Day 8 | Morning dives + night dive |
| Day 9 | Surface day or specialty course work |
| Day 10 | Back to the pinnacles — whale shark hunting |
| Day 11 | Final dives + sunset farewell dinner |
| Day 12 · Wed, Sept 16 | No-dive travel day — ferry out (or weather buffer) |
We book boats 24–48 hours ahead based on conditions and sightings. On Ko Tao, that’s not a compromise — it’s the whole advantage.
How Booking Works
- A $2,000 payment covers all included boat diving. Airfare and lodging are not included.
- Cancel by August 21 for a full refund. After that, we refund everything not already committed on your behalf to the dive boats and local vendors.
- The trip happens!
What’s Included
- 16 guided boat dives (tanks and weights included)
- A dive leader or guide on each boat trip
- On-island logistics assistance: lodging shortlist and booking help, ferry and travel guidance, and on-the-ground recon during the days prior to your arrival.
Not Included
- International airfare (typically Tampa/Miami → Koh Samui)
- Ferries to and from the island (budget roughly $20–45 each way)
- Accommodation — solid options from about $90-120/night; I’ll send my shortlist
- Meals, gear rental, courses, and gratuities
- Travel and dive insurance (strongly recommended — we suggest DAN)
- Additional dives (there will be plenty of time for extra diving on these dates)
Add-Ons
Turn vacation into certification: Advanced Open Water, Rescue, Nitrox, Deep, Wreck and more can all be earned during the trip at excellent local rates. Ask when you sign up.
Getting There
Fly into Koh Samui (USM). From Samui, about a two-hour boat ride. Leave the U.S. by September 2–3 to arrive relaxed.
The Fine Print
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond travel; U.S. passport holders don’t need a visa for a trip of this length
- Open Water certification (any agency) — bring your cert card
- Final dives are scheduled at least 24 hours before your flight home
- Whale sharks are wild animals — sightings are the season’s specialty, never a promise
Ready to Dive Thailand?
Spots are confirmed in the order payments arrive — let’s get you on board! Give us a call or send us a message with any questions, and we hope to see you there!