Mango Bay

Mango Bay is a wide, sheltered bay on Koh Tao's north coast, and for many visitors it's where diving starts: calm, clear, pool-like water near the beach makes it the island's favourite spot for a first try dive.

Gentle by design

The bay starts at the sand and averages around 8 metres, with coral gardens on the west side and coral-covered boulders along the eastern shoreline. Typical dives stay between 6 and 12 metres, with barely any current, which is exactly what you want when everything about breathing underwater is still new.

There's more life here than a training site has any right to hold: giant clams and big barrel sponges, blue-spotted stingrays and Jenkins whiprays on the sand, butterflyfish, angelfish, bannerfish and clownfish over the coral, yellowtail barracuda in the blue. Snorkellers get their own share, and round-island boat trips stop here for it.

Why dive Mango Bay

• The island's classic first-dive and try-dive bay
• Calm, shallow, pool-like conditions
• Coral gardens, giant clams and barrel sponges
• A regular stop on round-island snorkel trips

Where is Mango Bay?

On the north coast of Koh Tao, reached by boat (or a steep road) from the villages. If you're booking a first dive, every school on the island knows it well; start with our diving guide.

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