Diving the Western Gulf Islands ^*

From Koh Tao to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, the islands of the Western Gulf of Thailand offer wonderful diving conditions, with vibrant reefs and the chance to spot whale sharks. Koh Samui is the most popular island and a great base to combine diving with a beach holiday. Most of your dives will involve boat trips out to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, part of the 600-island Chumphon Archipelago. At the former you can spot whale sharks between March and April and dive at one of the best sites in the Gulf of Thailand, Sail Rock. A 15-minute boat ride from the beautiful Koh Phangan, this part-submerged rock pinnacle is home to everything from the tiniest macro critters to batfish and even bull sharks. For its part Koh Tao promises dramatic rock pinnacles blanketed in coral, wrecks and reefs busy with colourful marine life. A paradise island with swaying palms, sweeping beaches of brilliant white and dramatic cliffs, its underwater delights are just as plentiful. The Chumphon Pinnacle is known as one of the best dive sites in Thailand, thanks to its amazing rock formations, where giant barracuda, grouper and snapper shelter. Diving around these islands promises hard and soft coral, wrecks and clear, warm waters, although monsoon weather means it is best to avoid November. Generally, the water temperature is between 28 and 30C (82-86F) with around 20m (65ft) visibility.