Level
all
Course
Duration
5
Hours
Max Depth
18-40
Meters
Cost
฿2,900
Thai Baht
We run Sail Rock trips the same way we approach the rest of diving at Goodtime: smaller groups, experienced staff, and enough flexibility to adapt to conditions instead of forcing the same dive plan every day.
Offshore sites demand a bit more awareness than the shallow reefs around Koh Tao. Currents shift. Visibility changes. Marine life moves. Having guides who know the site well makes a difference, especially for divers visiting Sail Rock for the first time.
Our groups stay intentionally small so the dives feel calm and manageable underwater. Briefings are detailed without turning into lectures, and the goal is always to help divers feel comfortable enough to actually enjoy the site rather than simply tick it off a list.
Sail Rock has a reputation that stretches well beyond Koh Tao. For a lot of divers, this is the site they talk about afterwards. The dive where the water suddenly filled with barracuda. The day a whale shark appeared halfway through the safety stop.
Dive Sail Rock, one of the Gulf of Thailand’s most legendary dive sites. Famous for massive schools of fish, dramatic underwater topography, and whale shark encounters, this offshore pinnacle is a must-do dive trip from Koh Tao.
Available on Tuesdays and Fridays!
I did two dives with Ben, and she was very kind, energetic, and professional. I had a great time and made some wonderful memories. Highly recommended! :)
I went scuba diving for the first time and it was truly incredible! I was so nervous, but Lydia(the best instructor ever) helped me through the entire dive and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had! Could not recommend more!!
We did the open water training. We enjoyed a lot the place to start (nice restaurant and bar by the beach with amazing sunset) and all the staff was great. Most importantly Ana (our teacher) was very thoughtful, knowledgeable, we felt super safe diving and we had a lot of fun 😁 I absolutely recommend to go there 👌🏼
Such a lovely group of people. Professional, knowledgeable and friendly. Would highly recommended for anyone wanting to dive in Koh Tao. Thank you Liv, Lydia, Julia, Shai and Char
This is a special place, with amazing people 🙌 Having done basic dive training on the island at the start of the month with Goodtime, we decided to return so I could complete my open water certification. Fabio is an incredible instructor and an incredible human with it 👏. He made the course really enjoyable and straightforward. We were also very lucky to see some amazing marine life 👌. Whether you're on the boat or at the bar, the atmosphere at Goodtime is always relaxed and positive. That is partly due to the stunning location but is heavily influenced by the Goodtime team. Fabio, Anna, Beth, Mike, Chris, Shy and everyone else at Goodtime will make you feel welcome and at ease. Awesome people and incredible experiences, deliver so much more than just a Goodtime 🫡
I had a great experience with this school! I did the 2.5 day Open Water course and when I lost my nerves due to panic, everyone was so nice and empathetic towards me. I really felt like it was their priority for me to feel comfortable and have a positive first diving experience. Thank you Shai, Carmen and Charlie, for your support and patience, and for creating a solution that made me come back for the third day, finish the course, get the license despite everything and most importantly, have a good time! 🩵🐠🤙🏽
Yes, Sail Rock can be dived by Open Water certified divers, depending on conditions and experience level. The site features a range of depths, with shallower sections starting around 6 metres and the bottom extending from 30 metres to 40+.
Because conditions can sometimes include currents and reduced visibility, many divers prefer to visit after gaining a few dives of experience or completing their SSI Advanced Open Water course.
No, Advanced certification is not strictly required to dive Sail Rock. Open Water divers can still enjoy the site within their depth limit of 18 metres.
However, Advanced Open Water or equivalent certification is recommended because many of its most famous features, including the secret pinnacle and the chimney swim-through, are best experienced beyond 18 metres.
Sail Rock rises from depths of around 40 metres to 15 metres above the water creating a dramatic offshore rock in the Gulf of Thailand. Most fun dives here are conducted between 12 and 30 metres, depending on certification level, conditions, and dive plan.
The site is famous for its huge schools of barracuda, big eye trevally, fusiliers, batfish, groupers, and reef fish. Macro life such as nudibranchs and shrimp can also be found around the reef. The site is well known for seasonal whale shark encounters, which are one of the main reasons divers travel there from Koh Tao.
The dive site sits between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand, making it accessible from both islands. But we prefer diving from Koh Tao as it has a wealth of dive sites accessible within minutes from our dive centre. Whereas Koh Phangan only has Sail Rock.
Whale shark sightings are never guaranteed, but Sail Rock is considered one of the best places in the Gulf of Thailand to encounter them. Divers occasionally see whale sharks cruising around the pinnacle, particularly when plankton levels are high.
