Sail Rock, the granite pinnacle between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, is dived from both islands, and the difference is the ride. From Chaloklum on Koh Phangan's north coast it is about an hour; from Koh Tao both schools give 1.5 to 2 hours. Two dives cost ฿3,200 (≈ $89) from Chaloklum and ฿2,900 (≈ $80) or ฿4,000 (≈ $111) from Koh Tao, depending on the school. Prices were read on the operators' sites on 1 October 2026.
- From Koh Phangan: Sail Rock Divers
- From Koh Tao: Simple Life Divers and Big Blue Diving
- A snorkeller's place and a first dive from Chaloklum
- The table, and which island to dive from
Important
All the scuba trips to Sail Rock below are for certified divers. If you have never dived, the first-dive day from Chaloklum is the way to start.
How does it work from Koh Phangan?
Sail Rock Divers' trip costs ฿3,200 (≈ $89) per person for two dives on Sail Rock, with a full set of gear, breakfast, lunch, water, tea and coffee. You register in Chaloklum at 7:15, the boat leaves the pier at about 8:00 and you are back on Koh Phangan between 13:30 and 14:00. Groups are at most four certified divers per professional guide.
The centre takes ฿300 off for PADI professionals, divers with their own BCD, regulator and wetsuit, and returning guests, one discount per person. Extras are priced separately: computer ฿300 a day, Nitrox ฿200 a tank, insurance ฿300 a day, GoPro ฿900 (≈ $25) a day, which under Thai law needs Advanced Open Water or 40 logged dives.
And from Koh Tao?
Simple Life Divers: ฿2,900 (≈ $80) with lunch
Simple Life's Sail Rock trip costs ฿2,900 (≈ $80) per diver for two dives and a Thai lunch. The boat leaves Sairee at 07:00, the first dive is at 09:00 and the second at 12:30, and you are back on Koh Tao by mid-afternoon. The trip page does not list rental gear among the inclusions.
Big Blue Diving: ฿4,000 (≈ $111) for three dives
Big Blue's Sail Rock day costs ฿4,000 (≈ $111) per diver for two dives on Sail Rock and a third at Shark Island, breakfast and lunch, with free rental gear. The boat goes every third day and returns at 16:00 or 17:00; the same page gives both.
Can a non-diver come along?
The Dive Inn's snorkelling trip costs ฿1,700 (≈ $47) for a place on the dive boat to Sail Rock, with light breakfast, lunch, drinks, gear, boat fee and insurance. There is no guide in the water: the instructors brief you, the crew stays on the boat and you come back aboard when you like. The centre takes snorkellers to Sail Rock only when it judges conditions safe.
And if you have never dived?
The Diver's Boat try dive costs ฿4,200 (≈ $116) for a full day from Chaloklum, with at most two students per instructor, all gear in your size, a hot lunch, fruit and drinks, from age 8. The day starts in the calm water at Koh Ma; Sail Rock is possible if you are comfortable. You meet at the boat at 9:15 and are back at 15:30.
The trips side by side
| Operator | From | What | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Dive Inn | Koh Phangan | snorkelling, no guide | ฿1,700 (≈ $47) |
| Simple Life Divers | Koh Tao | 2 dives, lunch | ฿2,900 (≈ $80) |
| Sail Rock Divers | Koh Phangan | 2 dives, gear, two meals | ฿3,200 (≈ $89) |
| Big Blue Diving | Koh Tao | 3 dives, gear, two meals | ฿4,000 (≈ $111) |
| The Diver's Boat | Koh Phangan | first dive, no licence | ฿4,200 (≈ $116) |
Which island should I dive from?
Where you sleep decides most of it. On Koh Phangan, Chaloklum gives the shortest ride and an early afternoon return. On Koh Tao the ride is longer, but Simple Life is the lower price and Big Blue adds a third dive. With a non-diver in the group, only the Koh Phangan trip offers a snorkelling place on the boat.
Questions people ask
Are whale sharks guaranteed?
No. Big Blue calls them occasional at Sail Rock, mostly in plankton-bloom periods.
Do I need Advanced?
Open Water is enough on all the scuba trips; Advanced or Deep opens the parts below 18 m.
