Japanese Gardens

También conocido como: Japanese Garden

Japanese Gardens is a sheltered bay on the east side of Koh Nang Yuan, next to the sandbar that links the island's peaks. Its specialty is the coral garden itself: bommies of brain, table, staghorn, lettuce and mushroom corals with giant barrel sponges and giant clams are spread over the sand like a planted garden, and one centre rates it as the site with the widest coral variety around Koh Tao. The reef runs from the beach shallows northwards to about 15 m, so most dives stay shallow and bright. Damselfish, sergeant majors, butterflyfish, parrotfish and many juvenile fish are everywhere, banded sea kraits and turtles pass through, and the nearby Nang Yuan coastline is the only area around Koh Tao where pinktail triggerfish are reported. The current is weak on almost every day of the year, so it is a favourite for first dives, Open Water training and snorkelling, reached by boat from Koh Tao or from the beach on Koh Nang Yuan.