international skilled expatriates who work as dive masters, dive
instructors and underwater photographers.
As in many top diving destinations, Koh Tao features coral reefs,
reef-associated fish, cetaceans and remoteness as key attractions.
Coral reefs are found around the island approximately 28 km from
seashore and range from 1 to 40 m in depth. Types of corals along
the western and southern coasts of Koh Tao include massive coral,
encrusting coral, tabulate coral, branching coral and mushroom
coral. The predominant species are Acropora spp., Montipora spp.,
Pavona spp., Diploastrea spp., Favia spp., Favites spp., Ctennactis spp.,
Fungia spp., Pocillopora spp., Goniopora spp., Porites spp., Goneastrea
spp. Echinopora spp., Platygyra spp. Lobophyllia spp., and Symphyllia
spp. Koh Tao’s coral reefs are not under a designated marine protected
area or any legal protection, but are protected under the local