Southwest Pinnacle

Southwest Pinnacle is Koh Tao’s second-greatest dive site and the local favourite for experienced divers seeking a guaranteed spectacle. Three separate pinnacles rise from a sandy bottom at 33 metres to within 6 metres of the surface, each with a distinct personality and offering different marine life encounters.

Leopard Sharks

Southwest Pinnacle is arguably Koh Tao’s most reliable site for leopard shark sightings. These spotted, harmless sharks — reaching up to 2.5 metres in length — rest motionless on the sandy bottom between the pinnacles, sometimes in groups of 3–5. They’re entirely unbothered by divers and can be approached slowly for remarkable close-up views.

The Pinnacles

The main pinnacle rises dramatically from 33m, its walls festooned with large gorgonian sea fans, soft corals in vivid purples and oranges, and barrel sponges that have grown to extraordinary size over decades. The shallower outcroppings at 6–10m attract batfish, juvenile reef fish, and the occasional hawksbill turtle grazing on sponges.

Schools of big-eye trevally spiral around the tips of the pinnacles, and barracuda patrol the blue water on the current-facing side.

Dive Notes

Current can be significant at Southwest Pinnacle, making it more challenging than the sheltered bay sites. This is why it’s recommended for divers with at least an Advanced OW certification. The rewards for handling the conditions are substantial.