King Kong Rock Dive Site, Koh Tao: Depth & Marine Life

King Kong Rock is a little-visited rocky site on Koh Tao's south-east coast, between Aow Leuk and Lang Khai Bay, below the cliff-top resort at Ao Lad. Few dive boats come here, so the corals and fish are less disturbed than on the busier west-coast sites.

Several large granite boulders stand on a sand-and-rock bottom, dressed in corals and sea whips. It works for snorkellers and freedivers as well as scuba divers, which makes King Kong Rock Koh Tao's friendliest hidden spot for mixed groups.

King Kong Rock dive site map

1Main boulder, top ~3 m
2Second boulder, 5 to 20 m
3Third boulder, 6 to 22 m
4Sand and rubble ~25 m
5Shore and cliff path

Usual route: Descend near the main rock, circle the boulders clockwise at about 15 to 20 m, work up through the gullies and over the tops, and finish shallow for the safety stop. Drawing based on local dive briefings: approximate, not to scale and not for navigation. Your guide's briefing on the day always comes first.

Getting to King Kong Rock

You can reach the rock by boat from Aow Leuk, or by walking down a path from the resort at Ao Lad. That path makes it one of the few Koh Tao sites with a real shore option.

It combines well with Aow Leuk or Lang Khai Bay for a day trip along this quiet stretch of coast.

Diving King Kong Rock: the route

Descend near the main rock and circle the boulders clockwise at about 15 to 20 m. From there you work up through the gullies and over the tops of the rocks, finishing at shallow depth for the safety stop.

Some operators describe maze-like channels and swim-throughs, while others describe a handful of big rocks to circle. Ask your guide for the day's plan, because exact depths vary with the tide and where you measure.

Underwater layout

Main boulder: the largest rock, with its top reaching to within a few metres of the surface.
Second and third boulders: smaller rocks standing a short swim away, base around 20 to 22 m.
Gullies, overhangs and crevices: between the rocks, covered in hard and soft corals, sea whips, sponges and anemones.
Sand and rubble bottom: around the base, where stingrays rest.

Depth reports range from about 5 m at the tops to 18 to 28 m at the base, so treat the map as a schematic.

Marine life at King Kong Rock

Fusiliers, snapper, rabbitfish and groupers work around the rocks, with giant morays in the crevices and blue-spotted stingrays on the sand. Batfish and pufferfish show up too, and anglerfish have been reported.

Move slowly and you will find the camouflaged residents: lionfish, scorpionfish and stonefish, plus nudibranchs, cleaner shrimp and pipefish in the gullies.

What kind of dive, and why the name

The name has nothing to do with the shape of the rock. It comes from Uncle Kong, the nickname of Kampanat Na Songkhla, the Thai divemaster who founded New Heaven Dive School.

King Kong Rock is a quiet, scenic dive rather than a big-animal one. The pleasure is in circling boulders, looking into gullies and spotting small life, so it suits relaxed divers who like to take their time.

It also works as a fun dive for mixed groups. Snorkellers and freedivers can enjoy the shallow tops of the rocks, while scuba divers go deeper around the base, and Open Water dives are possible in calm conditions.

Because so few boats come here, you may have the site to yourself. That is the main attraction, along with corals and sea whips that look less worn than on the busier reefs.

Conditions and best time to dive

The calm months, February to May and June to September, are best. Late October to December is the north-east monsoon, when this side of the island is best avoided.

Visibility is typically 10 to 30 m, averaging around 20 m. Current is usually light, though stronger flow is possible on the outer rocks.

Snorkelling and freediving the rocks

The tops of the boulders reach to within a few metres of the surface, which is why King Kong Rock works so well for snorkellers and freedivers. You can float over the corals and sea whips, watch the fusiliers and snapper moving around the rocks, and dive down to look into the gullies.

Conditions matter more for surface swimmers, so pick a calm day. If the sea is up, the outer rocks can have stronger flow, and a quick look from the cliff path will tell you a lot before you get in.

Planning your visit, tips and safety

Dive in calm weather.
Move slowly to spot camouflaged scorpionfish and stonefish, and keep your hands off the rocks.
Be careful in the tight gullies, where passages are narrow and lined with coral.
Expect stronger current on the outer rocks.

Since depth figures vary, plan the dive with your guide on the day and agree a maximum depth before you get in. The tops of the rocks come within a few metres of the surface, so the dive is easy to shape around the group.

If you are staying on the east coast, pair it with Aow Leuk or Lang Khai Bay for a relaxed day out, and use the path down from the resort at Ao Lad if you want to reach the rock from land.