Few dive centres can say this: The Divers Boat dives Sail Rock every day of the week, from two different islands, on our own boats. Koh Tao or Koh Phangan — the dive site is the same; what changes is the crossing, the schedule and the trip on offer. Here is what you need to choose, plus what to do if you are based on Koh Samui.
Double Sail Rock: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday
Ultimate 3S (Southwest Pinnacle + Sail Rock + Shark Island): Monday, Wednesday & Saturday
Sail Rock is on the programme 7 days a week counting the 3S
Double Sail Rock: every day, 9:30am–4pm
No 3S combo offered from Koh Phangan
The shortest route to the site
Koh Tao vs Koh Phangan, point by point
| From Koh Tao | From Koh Phangan | |
|---|---|---|
| Boat crossing | about 2 hours | about 1 hour 15 |
| Times | 11am → 6pm (Double) 9am → 6pm (Ultimate 3S) |
9:30am → 4pm |
| Days | Double: Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun 3S: Mon, Wed, Sat |
every day |
| Trips | Double Sail Rock (2 dives) Ultimate 3S (3 dives) |
Double Sail Rock (2 dives) |
| Price | 3,200 THB (Double) 3,900 THB (3S) |
3,200 THB |
| Best for | you are staying on Koh Tao and want three sites in one day | you are staying on Koh Phangan or Koh Samui and want the shortest day |
The Double Sail Rock price is the same on both sides: 3,200 THB. Full rates on our Koh Tao diving prices and Koh Phangan prices pages.
What if you are based on Koh Samui?
There is a third departure most divers never hear about: Sail Rock as a day trip from Koh Samui, through our Chaloklum base. You take the 8am Lomprayah ferry, we pick you up at the Koh Phangan pier, the boat leaves at 9:30am and you are back on Koh Samui the same evening. 4,800 THB including ferry and transfers, every day.
That day is only possible because of the timing: our 9:30am departure is the only one in the Gulf that leaves enough room to arrive from Koh Samui in the morning. Details on our Koh Samui day trip prices page.
Sail Rock departure: which one should you pick?
What the table does not show
Crossing times and schedules are easy to compare. Two things matter just as much, and they are identical from both of our bases: we dive with a maximum of 4 divers per guide, and we deliberately reach the site later than most boats. Sail Rock is busy between 10am and midday, and the natural chimney — in at 16 metres, out at 5 — turns into a traffic jam at exactly that time.
The level required is the same from both islands: Open Water minimum, Advanced Open Water recommended if you want to use the depth of the site, which drops to 40 metres. The current can be strong — this is an isolated pinnacle in open water, with no shelter.
Frequently asked questions
Is it the same dive whether I leave from Koh Tao or Koh Phangan?
Yes, it is exactly the same dive site. Only the travel time (2 hours versus 1h15) and the departure schedule change.
Is the 3S combo available from Koh Phangan?
No. The 3S combo only departs from Koh Tao, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. From Koh Phangan, only Double Sail Rock is offered, every day.
Does the price change depending on the departure point?
No, Double Sail Rock is 3,200 THB from Koh Tao as well as from Koh Phangan. The Ultimate 3S, which adds Southwest Pinnacle and Shark Island, is 3,900 THB from Koh Tao. From Koh Samui the day costs 4,800 THB including ferry and transfers.
I am on Koh Samui — can I dive Sail Rock in a day?
Yes, every day. Take the 8am Lomprayah ferry to Koh Phangan, we transfer you to Chaloklum, the boat leaves at 9:30am and you are back on Koh Samui the same evening. 4,800 THB including ferry and transfers.
What certification do I need to dive Sail Rock?
Open Water is enough, from either island. Advanced Open Water is recommended if you want to use the depth of the site, which drops to 40 metres.
Can I switch departure points during my stay?
Yes, just get in touch and we will work around your plans between Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.
Want to know more about the site itself — the marine life, the natural chimney, the whale sharks, the full schedule? Head over to our complete Sail Rock diving guide.
I live on Koh Tao and I have been running The Divers Boat since 2016. We dive Sail Rock all year round, from Mae Haad on Koh Tao and from Chaloklum on Koh Phangan, on our own boats — which is why I can compare the two departures without guessing. A question before you choose? Write to us directly — someone from the team answers.
Koh Tao, Koh Phangan or Koh Samui — we take you there every day of the week.
