Chumphon Pinnacle - Koh Tao

Look, we’re going to be honest. If you only do one dive from Koh Tao, make it Chumphon Pinnacle. It’s got that big-fish energy we crave, right on our doorstep. Descending onto the main granite pinnacle, you’re often met by a wall of fusiliers, so thick they almost block out the light. We love to drift over the anemone fields, a stunning mosaic of pinks and purples, keeping one eye out into the blue. This is where you often find the bigger pelagics. Bull sharks used to be a regular sight, though they’re less common these days, still, we’ve seen them cruise through. Whale sharks pass by seasonally, a real lottery win. But even without them, the schools of barracuda circling the pinnacle, the monstrous humpback groupers lurking in the shadows, and those huge shoals of batfish make it consistently exciting. Our tip? Try for an early morning dive before the day boats arrive. It’s a bit more exposed than other sites, so expect some current, but that’s what brings in the action. It suits confident divers looking for that hit of adrenaline and serious marine encounters.

Location
Koh Tao, Thailand, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
10.120000, 99.790000
Type
pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: Suratthani Environmental Protected Area

Best Time to Dive in Koh Tao

The warmest water temperatures in Koh Tao occur in May, averaging 30.6°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.3°C
  • February: 28.6°C
  • March: 29.3°C
  • April: 30.2°C
  • May: 30.6°C
  • June: 30.2°C
  • July: 30.0°C
  • August: 29.7°C
  • September: 29.4°C
  • October: 29.2°C
  • November: 29.3°C
  • December: 28.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Koh Tao

Nearest Dive Centres to Chumphon Pinnacle

Marine Life in Koh Tao

Home to 56 recorded species including 35 reef fish, 11 sharks & rays, 4 other, 2 hard corals, 1 clams & mussels, 1 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Chumphon Pinnacle

Based on average water temperature of 29.5°C, currents 14 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories