The HTMS Sattakut is a former US Navy ship launched in 1944 and sunk in June 2011 off Koh Tao to create an artificial reef. Prior to this, the ship was cleaned and stripped of all toxins and hazardous materials, creating a safe environment for divers and marine life.
Although it’s definitely not the largest ship out there, the HTMS Sattakut is nonetheless one of the popular dives off the island. The ship measures 48 meters/157 feet in length and remains intact at a depth of about 30 meters/100 feet, in very good condition.
The ship has two cannon guns. The one located at the bow has information on when, where, and by whom the ship was built. Beneath this gun, there’s a penetration point for certified wreck divers only. This takes you down the stairs and into the front cabin. Below the second gun, you can find another penetration point for wreck divers. To explore the wreck from the outside, you need an advanced diver certification.
The wreck is home to a large array of marine life, including giant groupers, yellowtail barracudas, snappers, fusiliers, blennies, moray eels. Whale sharks have also been sighted in the area.
The high season for diving runs from February to October, with an average water temperature of 28° C/82° F.