Mango Bay
(Ao Muang) is one of the most iconic and picturesque bays on the northern tip of Koh Tao. It is widely considered the best location for beginner divers and snorkelers due to its calm, crystal-clear water and shallow, sandy bottom. The bay is named after the mango trees that once grew in abundance on the surrounding lush green hills.
Key Details
- Depth: 2 to 15 meters. The bay has a very gradual slope, making it ideal for skills practice.
- Skill Level: Beginner / Open Water. It is a favorite for “Discover Scuba” programs and the first dives of an Open Water course.
- Visibility: Often the best on the island, frequently reaching 20+ meters.
- Topography: A wide, horseshoe-shaped bay with a large sandy center, flanked by coral reefs that run along both the East and West rocky coastlines.
Marine Life
- The “Nursery”: The shallow reef is teeming with juvenile fish. You’ll find large schools of Yellowtail Barracuda, Sergeant Majors, and Damselfish that are very accustomed to divers and will often swim right up to your mask.
- Coral Gardens: The sides of the bay are covered in healthy Mushroom corals, Table corals, and Staghorn corals. Look closely for Christmas Tree Worms in every color of the rainbow.
- Sandy Bottom Residents: The sandy center is far from “empty.” It is a great place to spot Goby fish guarding their burrows, Blue-spotted Stingrays, and the occasional Seahorse if you have a guide with a very keen eye.
- The “Bait Ball”: Depending on the season, Mango Bay often hosts massive, shimmering clouds of Anchovies or Silversides that pulse and move like a single organism to avoid predators.
Location
10.12343, 99.83508 Get Directions
