Wreck Sattakut
HTMS Sattakut Wreck Dive Site – Koh Tao
The HTMS Sattakut is one of Koh Tao’s most famous wreck dives and a must-visit destination for Advanced Open Water, Wreck Specialty, and experienced recreational divers. Originally built as a Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) during World War II, the vessel served for decades in the Royal Thai Navy before being intentionally sunk in 2011 to create an artificial reef.
Today, the wreck has become home to an abundance of marine life and offers exciting exploration opportunities for divers.
Dive Site Features – Historic Shipwreck
The HTMS Sattakut (Hull No. 742) is a genuine World War II-era Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) with a distinctive narrow profile and flat deck. Its most recognizable features include the prominent anti-aircraft guns mounted at the bow and stern, together with its box-shaped bridge structure.
Nearby Reef
The wreck lies approximately 30 meters (100 ft) southeast of the famous Hin Pee Wee granite reef. Many dive guides use the nearby reef as a navigation reference or for completing a safety stop after exploring the wreck.
Location
Position: Off the west coast of Koh Tao, just south of Koh Nang Yuan.
Coordinates: 10.105562, 99.813619
Plus Code: 4R47+6CH Get Directions
Orientation
The wreck rests perfectly upright on the sandy seabed with the bow pointing due north, making navigation straightforward during the dive.
Wreck Dimensions
The vessel measures approximately:
- Length: 50 meters (164 ft)
- Beam: 10.5 meters (34 ft)
Its upright position provides excellent opportunities to explore the exterior while maintaining clear orientation throughout the dive.
Depth
- Seabed: Approximately 30 meters (98 ft)
- Highest point (mast/bridge): Approximately 18 meters (59 ft)
This depth makes the wreck suitable for Advanced Open Water Divers and certified divers with experience at deeper dive sites.
Main Features
Divers can explore several impressive historical features, including:
- The original 76 mm bow gun, located at approximately 20 meters (66 ft).
- A 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun near the stern at around 24 meters (79 ft).
- The bridge, mast, railings, cargo deck, and numerous openings that now provide habitat for marine life.
Wreck Penetration
Three large open doorways along the forward upper deck provide access to parts of the interior.
These overhead environments are suitable only for divers with appropriate wreck-diving training and certification. Divers without wreck training should remain outside the wreck and enjoy exploring its exterior structure.
The HTMS Sattakut has become one of Thailand’s premier artificial reefs, attracting schools of tropical fish, barracuda, groupers, batfish, moray eels, and occasionally turtles and whale sharks, making it one of the highlights of diving around Koh Tao.
