Dive Site: Koh Taru

About Koh Taru

Koh Taru is a notable dive site located off Koh Lipe, close to Thailand's southern border with Malaysia, within the protected waters of Tarutao National Marine Park. It's often highlighted as a prime spot for relaxed diving, especially suited for beginners and those seeking calm conditions. The site features a mix of soft and hard coral gardens, complemented by sandy areas where various critters hide. Depths typically range, with a reported average of 18 meters, making it accessible for a wide range of diver experience levels. The clear, warm waters contribute to an enjoyable diving experience. Marine life at Koh Taru is diverse, encompassing colorful reef fish, and is particularly known for its macro subjects like seahorses, nudibranchs, and shrimps. Green turtles are frequently sighted, often grazing peacefully. The overall vibrant ecosystem reflects the healthy coral environment found here. Diving at Koh Taru is generally a peaceful drift dive, allowing divers to move with the current over the reef and sandy bottom, observing life as it unfolds. This unhurried pace, combined with beautiful corals and plentiful small marine creatures, makes it a rewarding and picturesque location.

Dive site facts: Koh Taru

Depth

18 m average

Typical dive

16–20 m, 47–61 min

Current

Mild

Visibility

10–30 m (peak 25m)

Water temperature

27–30°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Beginner to Advanced

Dive type

Reef, drift, macro

Region / port

Koh Lipe, Satun Province

Coordinates

8.3524° N, 98.6074° E

Conditions & Currents

Koh Taru is typically known for very mild currents, making it an excellent site for relaxed exploration and peaceful drift dives. The gentle flow allows divers to leisurely observe the abundant marine life without strenuous effort. While a drift dive is common, the mild current strength means divers can comfortably explore the coral gardens and sandy patches. Visibility at Koh Taru can be excellent, contributing to clear views of the reef and its inhabitants. The calm conditions, combined with good visibility, make it particularly suitable for new divers or those focusing on underwater photography. Entry is generally straightforward from a boat, aligning with the site's overall easy-going nature.

Marine life & sighting chances

Green turtle

common

Seahorse

occasional

Nudibranch

common

Shrimp

common

Yellow snapper

common

Scorpionfish

occasional

Fusilier

common

Butterflyfish

common

Parrotfish

common

Clownfish

common

Ghost pipefish

occasional

Frogfish

rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Koh Taru typically begin with a boat entry, allowing divers to descend onto the vibrant reef. The dive follows the gentle current, making it a comfortable drift along sandy patches and through lush coral gardens. Depths commonly range between 16 to 20 meters, with an average depth of around 18 meters, making it suitable for extended bottom times. Divers spend time observing critters nestled in the sand and exploring the diverse coral formations. The route often guides divers over fields of anemones and various hard and soft corals. As the dive progresses, attention shifts from macro subjects to schools of reef fish. The safety stop can be performed in the shallower sections of the reef, typically at 5 meters, before a comfortable ascent back to the surface for boat pickup.

Underwater photography

Koh Taru is an excellent location for underwater photography, especially for macro subjects, due to its diverse array of small critters and calm conditions. A macro lens is highly recommended to capture the intricate details of nudibranchs, shrimps, and the occasional seahorse or ghost pipefish found in the sandy patches and among the corals. Wide-angle photography can also be rewarding, particularly for capturing the colorful coral gardens and schools of reef fish like yellow snappers and fusiliers. Natural light is often sufficient in the shallow areas, but strobes will enhance color and detail, especially for macro shots or in deeper sections. Maintaining excellent buoyancy is crucial to avoid disturbing fragile corals and sandy bottoms where many unique subjects reside. Patience and a keen eye are essential for spotting well-camouflaged creatures like scorpionfish or frogfish.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• 8 Mile Rock

  Known for large pelagics and offshore pinnacles.

• Stonehenge

  Celebrated for its kaleidoscopic corals and abundant reef fish.

• Hin Daeng

  Famous for manta rays and large schools of fish.

• Hin Muang

  Often combined with Hin Daeng for pelagic encounters.

• Koh Haa — Lagoon

  Offers sheltered reefs and clear conditions.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Koh Taru is typically via day trips or liveaboards departing from Koh Lipe, which is itself reached by ferry or speedboat from mainland Thailand or Malaysia. Major airports include Hat Yai (Thailand) or Langkawi (Malaysia), followed by ground and boat transfers. Trips usually originate from Phuket for liveaboards exploring the South Andaman Sea. Dive trips to Koh Taru from Koh Lipe are often short boat rides. The site is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park, so park fees may apply, typically managed through dive operators. Koh Taru is frequently combined with other Koh Lipe sites like Stonehenge or 8 Mile Rock within a multi-dive day trip, or as part of a longer liveaboard itinerary that extends to sites like Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.

Safety & environment

For diving at Koh Taru, it's advisable for all divers to have appropriate dive insurance that covers recompression chamber treatment and emergency evacuation. While Koh Lipe has medical facilities, the nearest recompression chamber is located in Phuket or potentially on Malaysia's mainland, meaning evacuation for serious dive injuries could be lengthy. Divers should follow dive guide instructions closely, especially regarding current conditions, even if mild, to ensure safe drift diving. Maintain good buoyancy control to protect the fragile coral ecosystems and avoid contact with potentially venomous creatures like scorpionfish. Always dive within your training and experience limits, and ensure your dive equipment is in good working order. Always carry an SMB for surface signaling, especially given the boat traffic in the area and the nature of drift diving.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Koh Taru FAQ

Liveaboards diving Koh Taru

These liveaboards may visit Koh Taru on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Mandarin Queen 9

Thailand

26 guests37.5 m

Manta Queen 8

Thailand

24 guests

$127/day

The Junk

Thailand

18 guests33 m

$163/day

Deep Andaman Queen

Thailand

23 guests30.5 m

$194/day

Explorer

Thailand

16 guests25 m

$150/day

Andaman

Thailand

20 guests26 m

$108/day

Stingray

Thailand

8 guests24 m

$245/day

Seatopia

Thailand

24 guests24 m