Amazing South West Pinnacles Deep Dive Site
South West Pinnacles dive site located close to Koh Tao offers a thrilling underwater adventure for experienced scuba divers looking for a deep ocean dive site with abundant marine life.
Seven Granite Rock Pinnacles
Unlike Chumphon Pinnacle, it is not a single large granite rock, but a collection of seven massive granite rock formations rising from the seabed in a circular pattern, almost like an underwater city.
South West Pinnacle dive site is an open ocean dive site and one of the best dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand, conveniently located approximately a 45-minute boat ride from the main pier on Koh Tao.
What you will see at South West Pinnacles
If the conditions are good, one dive is not enough at South West Pinnacle as there is so much to see:
Unique Rock Formations: The main topographical features are the rock pinnacles themselves. They range in depth from a shallow 5 meters to a deep 30 meters, creating a multi-level dive with interesting swim-throughs and overhangs to explore.
Variable Visibility and Currents: Due to its offshore location, visibility and currents can be unpredictable.
Rich Marine Life: The rock pinnacle formations provide a haven for a wide variety of marine animals. Expect to see an abundance of hard and soft corals teeming with colorful reef fish like anemonefish, angelfish, butterflyfish, rabbitfish, and damselfish.
Pelagic Encounters: Stay on the lookout for larger and frequent visitors in the blue water around the rock pinnacles. Whale sharks are frequent visitors to this dive site.
Macro Marvelous: Look closer in the cracks and crevices of the rocks for fascinating macro life like nudibranchs, flatworms, shrimp, crabs, and eels. These animals add unique biodiversity to the dive site.
Information for South West Pinnacle dive site
Location: Approximately 10 kilometers south west of Koh Tao
Depth: Max 30 meters, Min 5 meters – Average 22 meters
Type of site: Seven large granite rock pinnacles with a secret pinnacle
Recommended Level: Advanced Open Water diver
Conditions: Outerlying dive site that is subject to currents and adverse weather
Average Visibility: 5-20 meters
Scuba diving at South West Pinnacles
Whilst South West Pinnacles is a diver’s paradise, there are recommendations to be considered when deep diving and for Advanced Dives.
Depth and Certification: Due to the depth reaching up to 30 meters, you will need to be an Advanced Open Water diver or have a similar certification to explore the full dive site.
Currents: As mentioned earlier, currents can be variable. Good buoyancy control and experience diving in currents are recommended.
Dive Operators: Choose a reputable dive center in Koh Tao with well-trained and experienced PADI divemasters and diving instructors who are familiar with the dive site conditions.
Diversity of Marine Life
South West Pinnacles offers an exciting dive experience for qualified divers. The unique granite rock formations, diverse marine life, and potential for pelagic encounters make it a memorable dive.
However, the variable conditions and depth make it best suited for experienced divers who have some experience diving with currents and deeper dives.
As you descend onto the dive site, the coral reefs come into view with a variety of hard and soft corals that provide habitat for many species of fish and invertebrates.
With good visibility as you descend, you can expect to witness an abundance of marine life and a wide variety of fish species foraging for food and protection.
You can expect to see surgeonfish, tangs, angelfish, butterflyfish, clownfish, groupers, trevally, snapper, batfish, different types of triggerfish, moray eels, and even sailfish lurking off the pinnacles.
If you are a macro enthusiast, look closely in the cracks and crevices of the rocks for interesting macro life like nudibranchs, flatworms, shrimp, crabs, scorpionfish, and stonefish.
Almost every diver’s dream is to be present as a majestic whale shark cruises through the dive site accompanied by an entourage of remora swaying on the powerful tail fin, known as a caudal fin, that propels them through the water.
Whale shark sightings are common at South West Pinnacles dive site, although the exact frequency is unpredictable, there is a good chance, so divers need to be prepared if one emerges from the depths.
Schools of Fish
South West Pinnacle is known for its abundance of fish as the granite rock formations create a haven for a variety of marine animals, attracting diverse populations of fish.
There is also a ‘secret pinnacle’ at South West Pinnacles, which can be found by swimming off the main rock pinnacles for 5-10 minutes.
Finding the secret pinnacle can be a challenge and should only be attempted in good conditions by experienced scuba divers; however, if conditions allow, on your journey you can find beautiful shoals of razorfish swimming vertically on the way across the sand.
Fun Diving at South West Pinnacles
South West Pinnacles dive site is teeming with colorful coral reefs and a variety of marine life. In good conditions, you can expect to see:
- Large schools of snapper, yellowtail barracuda, and fusiliers
- Giant groupers
- Chevron barracuda
- Razorfish
- Blue-spotted ribbontail rays
- White-eyed moray eels
- Banded boxer shrimp
- Yellow boxfish
- Scribbled filefish
- Masked porcupinefish
- Harlequin sweetlips
- Whale sharks
Specialty Courses at South West Pinnacles
As an advanced diver with an interest in deeper dive sites, you may want to consider adding a PADI specialty course to your resume.
Completing the Deep or Nitrox specialty course or Underwater Photography specialty will ensure you can extend your dive time whilst capturing memorable footage of your favorite marine animals.
With stunning underwater topography, abundant marine life, and potential for whale shark encounters, it is no surprise South West Pinnacles is considered one of the best dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand.
With its rich coral reefs and marine diversity, South West Pinnacles dive site is a diver’s underwater paradise.
Message us to book any of our dive trips, to check the schedule or ask about our accommodation options at Isla Tortuga Divers.
