Sadly for us, there are not really any sharks around Shark Island. We might spot some small cute blacktip reef shark but it is a rare sight. The dive site is named this way as the slim and high shape of the rocky formation breaking out the surface looks like a shark dorsal fin. This is what the local people have been saying about it.
It is located a mere 300 meters / 1000 feet off the south-western coast of Koh Tao. It is composed mostly of rocky formations covered sparsely with corals. There is also big boulders scattered around with more at the north or outer tip of the island.
Going all around Shark Island is possible in good conditions and with experienced divers. If not, the island is big enough to be covered in 2 dives, one on each side. The latter option might be better to take time observing smaller marine life.
It is also a good snorkeling spot as the site is mostly shallow and calm. There is a lot to see from the surface in those parts of the site.
Details of Shark Island dive site
Bathymetry: | |
| Depth: | 0 – 26 meters / 0 – 72 feet |
| Bottom type: | Rocky with boulders scattered around, coral formations, sandy bottom around |
| Extra: | |
Conditions | |
| Visibility: | Varies between 3 to 10 meters / 9 to 66 feet depending on the day |
| Current: | From none to moderate |
| Surface: | Might be wavy, generally calm |
| Temperature: | From 26C / 79 F to 32C / 94F |
Espèces marines | |
| Common fishes: | Chevron Barracuda, Yellow-tailed Barracuda, Yellowback Fusiliers, Yellowback Snapper, Racoon Butterflyfish, Black Damsel, Big-eyed Trevally, Yellow-spotted Trevally, Blotched Porcupinefish |
| Less common fishes: | Cobia, Giant Pufferfish, Blacktip Reef Shark, Scribbled Filefish |
| Corals: | Maze Coral, Brain Coral, Whip Coral, Robust Staghorn Coral |
| Other: | Barrel Sponges, Feather Seastar, Thorny Seastar |