Looking for a beautiful and easy dive site in Koh Tao? Japanese Gardens is a great place to start.
Located on the eastern side of Koh Nang Yuan, Japanese Gardens is one of the most popular shallow dive sites around Koh Tao. It is only a short boat ride from the island, making it an easy addition to your Koh Tao diving adventure.
Where is Japanese Gardens?
Japanese Gardens is situated just off Koh Nang Yuan, one of the most famous islands near Koh Tao. The dive site is surrounded by clear, shallow water and colourful coral formations.
The boat journey from Koh Tao is short, so you can spend less time travelling and more time enjoying the underwater world.
A Perfect Dive Site for Beginners
Japanese Gardens has a maximum depth of around 14 metres, with many areas much shallower. This makes it an excellent location for beginner divers and scuba diving courses in Koh Tao.
There are also plenty of sandy areas between the coral gardens. These open spaces are perfect for practising essential scuba diving skills, especially during an Open Water course.
For new divers, having a calm environment with plenty of space can make a big difference. You can focus on your breathing, buoyancy, and underwater confidence before exploring more challenging dive sites.
And once the skills are finished, it’s time to enjoy the reef!
Photo by: Huw Penson Photography
Photo by Huw Penson Photography
What Can You See?
Despite being a shallow dive site, Japanese Gardens has plenty to discover.
You can swim between colourful coral formations, including funnel corals and mushroom corals, while keeping an eye out for tropical reef fish. Angelfish, pufferfish, and other small marine life can often be found around the reef.
The sandy areas also make it easy to slow down and look closely at the smaller creatures living around the coral.
Dive Japanese Gardens with New Heaven
At New Heaven Dive School, we frequently go to Japanese Gardens if the weather conditions allowed. It is a dive site that gives new divers the chance to learn, relax, and enjoy the ocean at the same time.
Whether you are joining your first scuba diving course in Koh Tao, refreshing your skills, or simply looking or a relaxed reef dive, Japanese Gardens is a beautiful place to explore.