Red Rock - Koh Tao

Red Rock, or Hin Daeng as the locals call it, is one of our favourite spots on Koh Tao for a gentle dive. It’s tucked away just off the southwest tip, a single granite pinnacle that breaks the surface. We love dropping in here when the weather’s a bit choppy elsewhere, as it’s often sheltered. The real draw here is the swim-through. It’s not a dramatic cave system, more of a narrow passage that opens up into a sandy bottom around 18 metres. Sunlight dapples through from the cracks above, and you’ll often find a school of Scissortail Sergeants hanging out in the gloom. It’s a tight squeeze in places, so good buoyancy is key, but it’s never claustrophobic. Once you’re through, the reef slopes gently, scattered with Staghorn corals, and we’ve spent many an hour just drifting over the sandy patches looking for Goldspeckled Shrimpgobies. Keep an eye out for the larger residents too; we’ve had some cracking encounters with Blue Ring Angelfish and the occasional Honeycomb Grouper patrolling the deeper ledges. It’s a relaxed dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to take their time exploring.

Location
Koh Tao, Thailand, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
10.123445, 99.814850

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 Red Rock

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 Red Rock

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