Diving Southwest Pinnacle in Koh Tao, Thailand

Dense school of jacks packed together at Southwest Pinnacle, Koh Tao

A large predator hunting above a bait ball at Southwest Pinnacle, Koh Tao

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Austin Tuwiner

Dive Sites

August 19, 2026

I dove Southwest Pinnacle in August 2026 with Big Blue Diving, by boat out of Koh Tao, Thailand.

It was one of the best dives of my life.

Southwest Pinnacle is named alongside Chumphon Pinnacle and Sail Rock as one of the top three dive sites in Koh Tao.

It sits about 8 miles (13 km) southwest of the island.

Dive Log · Koh Tao, Thailand

Southwest Pinnacle

It sits about 8 miles (12 km) southwest of Mae Haad pier.

Big Blue run it as a morning two dive trip, out at 07:30 and back by 12:30.

Garmin Descent MK3i

Max Depth

80ft / 24.4m

Avg Depth

47ft / 14.3m

Dive Time

51min

Water Temp

86°F / 30°C

Visibility

100ft / 30m

Entry

Boat

Recommended Certification

Intermediate

Reef Thailand 9.999601, 99.778958

The Pinnacle

Southwest Pinnacle rising from the deep with a curtain of diver bubbles, Koh Tao — The pinnacle rises out of the dark with a curtain of bubbles running up it.

The site is a submerged rock that climbs steeply off the bottom, so the dive is a lap around a single structure.

The peak of Southwest Pinnacle seen through the blue, Koh Tao — The peak, seen through the blue.

My Garmin logged 80 feet (24.4 m) max against a 47 foot (14.3 m) average, which is what happens when you spend the dive circling a pinnacle rather than following a reef.

Anemone field covering the rock at Southwest Pinnacle, Koh Tao — Anemones cover the rock from the top down.

The anemone cover here is as heavy as anywhere I dove in Thailand.

Close view of anemones with blue tipped tentacles at Southwest Pinnacle, Koh Tao — Blue tipped tentacles up close.

Anemones and long-spined sea urchins on Southwest Pinnacle, Koh Tao — Anemones sharing the rock with long-spined sea urchins.

The Dive

Divemaster Austin swimming through a school of fusiliers at Southwest Pinnacle, Koh Tao — Austin swimming through a school of fusiliers at Southwest Pinnacle.

The fish here are the reason to come.

Dense school of fusiliers over Southwest Pinnacle, Koh Tao — A dense school of fusiliers over the rock.

The schools were thick enough to close in around us and block out the light.

Predators were up in the blue hunting the whole time we were down there.

Cloud of small fish in open water over Southwest Pinnacle, Koh Tao — Baitfish scattered across open water off the pinnacle.

Reef growth and a green barrel sponge on Southwest Pinnacle, Koh Tao — Reef growth and a green barrel sponge on the shallower rock.

Coral covered ridge running along Southwest Pinnacle, Koh Tao — The coral covered ridge running along the pinnacle.

Anemones covering the top of Southwest Pinnacle, Koh Tao — Anemones and reef fish on the top of the structure.

Dive Conditions

Water temperature averaged 86°F (30°C).

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Austin Tuwiner

I'm a PADI Divemaster based in South Florida.

With over a decade of diving experience, I help readers become better divers, buy their next piece of gear, and plan their dream dive vacation!