HTMS Sattakut Wreck Koh Tao

Koh Tao's main wreck dive with guns, deck structure and artificial reef life

Overview

Best for: Advanced divers, wreck students, deep students, photographers and wreck-curious fun divers
Not ideal for: beginners, DSD, poor buoyancy or shallow coral lovers
Vibe: wrecky, atmospheric, deeper and more serious
Must-do or easy local site: must-do for Advanced/wreck-interested divers

Depth and Certification Level

Depth: about 18-30 m; deck around 24-26 m
Beginners: no
Open Water: no
Advanced Open Water: yes, excellent for Deep/Wreck adventure
Recommended certification: Advanced minimum recommended; Wreck specialty for penetration
Guide recommended: strongly recommended

Marine Life and Underwater Scenery

Landscape: steel wreck, deck, wheelhouse, guns, mast, sand bottom and nearby reef
Common marine life: batfish, snappers, fusiliers, groupers, barracuda, trevally, lionfish, scorpionfish and morays
Special sightings: Jenkins rays, great barracuda, sea snakes, cuttlefish and occasional whale shark nearby
Macro life: yes around structure
Bigger fish: moderate
Coral and reef scenery: artificial reef growth, not coral garden
Photography: excellent wreck wide-angle/video

Conditions and Hazards

Visibility: variable and can feel dark at depth
Current: mild to moderate possible
Weather sensitivity: bad visibility/current makes it harder
Shelter/exposure: somewhat exposed but close to Koh Tao
Wind and sea conditions: west-side swell and general rough sea
Hazards: depth, NDL, current, silt, sharp metal, entanglement, fishing line and penetration risk
Swim-throughs/caves: wreck openings/swim-throughs for trained/briefed divers
Wreck penetration: No, unless this is a wreck-specific page. For HTMS Sattakut only, penetration requires proper wreck training, equipment and supervision.

Typical Dive Profile

descend line, explore wreck/deepest planned parts first, work shallower, safety stop line/SMB

Morning/afternoon/full-day: morning or afternoon
Boat time: 10-25 minutes from Sairee/Mae Haad; longer from Chalok
Night diving: not standard
Dive schools: yes for AOW/Wreck/Deep
Busy with boats: yes, popular

Courses and Skills

Try dives: no
Refreshers: not first refresher
Deep dives: yes
Navigation: moderate, guided wreck navigation
Buoyancy: yes for controlled divers
Specialties: wreck, deep, photography, fish ID and artificial reef naturalist

Local Advice

The HTMS Sattakut was intentionally sunk as an artificial reef and sits deeper than beginner limits. Wreck penetration should only be done by trained wreck divers with the right plan, equipment and supervision.

Nearby Paired Sites

Hin Pee Wee, White Rock, Twins, Green Rock

White Rock | Chumphon Pinnacle | Diving in Koh Tao

Local Tips

What makes it different: main accessible wreck around Koh Tao
Manage expectations: compact wreck, depth limits and no casual penetration
Best thing: ship structure and atmosphere
Main downside: shorter bottom time and lower visibility
Tip: do proper wreck training before going inside; watch depth and no-deco