Samran Pinnacle Dive Site, Koh Tao: Depth & Marine Life

Samran Pinnacle is a small group of granite rocks in open sea south of Koh Tao, on the route between the island and Sail Rock. It is one of the lesser-visited offshore sites in the Gulf, so this page is shorter than for the big names, and some details, like exact boat time, are not confirmed.

What we can say is that Samran Pinnacle Koh Tao dives are for experienced divers. The rocks rise from about 30 m of water, with the top at roughly 9 to 14 m, and because few boats come here, the fish are relaxed.

Samran Pinnacle dive site map

1Main pinnacle, top 9 m
2Second pinnacle, top 14 m
3Third pinnacle
4Boulders and ledges, groupers
5Old fishing nets

Usual route: Drop in on or beside the main pinnacle, circle it at 15 to 25 m with the current, check the ledges for groupers and finish on top 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.

Diving Samran Pinnacle

Dive centres usually fit Samran in as a bonus stop on the way back from Sail Rock, or as part of a three-dive offshore day with Sail Rock and Shark Island. A typical dive drops in on or beside the main pinnacle, circles it at 15 to 25 m with the current, checks the ledges for groupers, and finishes on top for the safety stop. There are no permanent moorings, so a surface marker buoy is a must.

Underwater layout

It is a small site compared with Chumphon or Southwest: several granite pinnacles and large boulders with sheer drop-offs, standing on sand at about 28 to 30 m. Cracks, ledges and overhangs hold most of the life. Exact pinnacle positions are not published, so rely on your guide.

Old fishing nets hang between the shallower pinnacles from about 14 m to the bottom. Some are overgrown with coral and sponge, and others are covered in hydroids that attract nudibranchs. They are also a hazard, so be careful.

Marine life at Samran Pinnacle

The main attraction is sheer numbers. Thousands of yellowback fusiliers form a silver-yellow tornado around the rock, with jacks, trevally, yellowtail barracuda, queenfish and schools of hundreds of chevron barracuda. Brown marbled and brown-barred groupers sit under the ledges, and whale sharks pass through seasonally. Corals, sea fans, barrel sponges and anemones with their anemonefish cover the rock.

Conditions and tips

Current can be stronger than at most Koh Tao sites, and the site is fully exposed. Visibility is reported anywhere from about 2 to 30 m, and can be excellent. The best months are not confirmed, so ask your dive centre.

Go with a small group of experienced divers and a guide who knows the site.
Carry a cutting tool and watch for loose netting.
Use a surface marker buoy.

Safety notes

Expect strong, unsheltered currents, a difficult descent and ascent without a mooring, depths to about 30 m, and entanglement risk from old nets. It is not for Discover Scuba or entry-level divers.