Shark Bay

Also known as: Thian Og Bay

Shark Bay, also known as Thian Og Bay, lies at the southern tip of Koh Tao's east coast and is better known for snorkelling and freediving than for scuba diving. Its specialty is turtles: green and hawksbill turtles live in the bay, and one dive centre calls it the only place on Koh Tao where turtles can be seen every day. The name comes from the blacktip reef sharks; the bay acts as a nursery, and from March to May many young blacktips swim in the shallows close to the seagrass, where a local conservation team runs shark surveys. The shallow bay has a sandy bottom, coral close to shore and seagrass meadows with rabbitfish and other grazers. Entry is from a small beach or over the rocks from a paid private path, and the calm, shallow water suits snorkellers and beginner divers.