Koh Lipe Mysterious Underwater Pinnacle & Top Scuba Diving Site in Tarutao National Park, Thailand

🌊 Overview OF 8 MILE ROCK

8 Mile Rock is one of the most legendary dive sites near Koh Lipe, located about 8 nautical miles south of the island in the Andaman Sea. This submerged pinnacle is renowned for its dramatic underwater landscape, strong currents, and unforgettable big-fish encounters.

• 📍 Location: 8 NM south of Koh Lipe

• 📏 Depth: 16m – 45m

• 🎓 Certification: Advanced Open Water+

• ⭐ Best for: Experienced divers & pelagic encounters

• 🦈 Whale shark hotspot – frequent sightings

• 🐟 Pelagic action: trevallies, mackerel, tuna, barracuda

• 🐠 Reef fish: snappers, fusiliers, lionfish, scorpionfish

• 🦐 Macro life: shrimps, nudibranchs, cryptic critters

• 🛑 Special encounters: mantas, leopard sharks, giant groupers, mobula rays.

• 🌼 Underwater scenery: yellow daisy coral-covered rocks

🤿 The Dive Experience AT 8 MILE ROCK

The pinnacle begins at 16 meters, making it a deep dive site. Strong currents bring in large fish but add an exciting challenge. The surface can be rough, so not ideal for nervous swimmers. Due to its distance from the marine park, dive trips often include two dives at 8 Mile Rock to maximize big-fish encounters.

🎓 Courses at 8 Mile Rock

• 📘 Advanced Open Water – Deep Adventure Dive

• 📘 PADI Deep Diver Specialty

• 📘 PADI Multilevel Diver Specialty

One of the World’s Best Soft Coral Gardens in Tarutao National Park, Thailand

🌊 Overview OF STONEHENGE

Stonehenge is considered one of the top scuba diving sites in Thailand and a must-dive location around Koh Lipe. Famous for its colorful coral gardens and stunning underwater scenery, this site offers something for both beginner and experienced divers.

📍 Location: Near Koh Lipe, Tarutao Marine Park

📏 Depth: 5m – 27m

🎓 Certification: Open Water+

• 📸 Perfect for underwater photography

• 🌸 Soft corals: Purple, pink & white covering the reef

• 🦐 Macro life: Crabs, gobies, ornate ghost pipefish

• 🌊 Gorgonians: Spectacular sea fans thriving in the current

• 🐟 Reef life: Bright blue tunicates & colorful reef fish

• 🦈 Big encounters: Leopard sharks circling granite boulders

🤿 The Dive Experience AT STONEHENGE

Strong currents are common, but there are plenty of sheltered spots to pause and explore. Currents make for a fun drift dive, carrying divers past coral gardens and gorgonians. The giant granite boulders rising from the seabed give this site its name—resembling the famous Stonehenge monument on land.

🎓 Who Can Dive AT STONEHENGE?

With depths starting at just 5 meters, Open Water Divers can explore the shallower sections, while more experienced divers can enjoy the deeper profiles. Its mix of macro subjects and big fish encounters makes it suitable for all levels.

⭐ Key HighlightS OF STONEHENGE

• One of the best dive sites in Koh Lipe & Thailand

• Perfect for underwater photography

• Home to colorful soft corals & ornate ghost pipefish

• Chance to spot whale sharks & other large marine life

Exciting Drift Diving Site in Tarutao National Park, Thailand

🌊 Overview OF KOH PUNG

Koh Pung, also known as Honey Island, is a stunning dive site near Koh Lipe. The coral reef follows the island’s coastline all the way around, making it an exciting and diverse dive.

📍 Location: 9NM out of Koh Lipe, Tarutao Marine Park

📏 Depth: Max 35m

🎓 Certification: Open Water+

🐠 Why Dive at KOH PUNG?

Start your dive by drifting along coral-covered boulders, flying over the reef with the current. Behind the island, the current slows, giving divers time to search for macro species and enjoy coral scenery. The mix of drift and calm exploration makes Koh Pung both exciting and relaxing in a single dive.

🎓 Who Can Dive AT KOH PUNG?

With a maximum depth of 35m, Koh Pung is accessible for Open Water Divers at shallower levels and offers more depth and drift challenges for experienced divers.

⭐ Key Highlights OF KOH PUNG

• Known as Honey Island

• One of Koh Lipe’s best drift dives

• Colorful soft corals in purple, pink, white, orange

• Encounters with moray eels, scorpionfish, lionfish, and reef fish schools

• Great for spotting nudibranchs and cleaner shrimps

One of the Best Soft Coral Gardens in Tarutao National Park, Thailand

🌊 Overview OF KOH SAWANG

Koh Sawang is one of the most famous dive sites around Koh Lipe, located in the Tarutao National Marine Park. With pristine hard coral reefs, colorful pinnacles, and abundant marine life, many divers consider it the best dive site in Koh Lipe.

📍 Location: 7.5NM out of Koh Lipe, Tarutao Marine Park

📏 Depth: Max 30m

🎓 Certification: Open Water+

🐠 Why Dive at KOH sawang?

• 🐠 Schooling fish: trevallies, snappers, fusiliers, damsels

• 🐟 Reef fish: lionfish, scorpionfish, clownfish, triggerfish, flutemouthfish, trumpetfish

• 🦐 Macro life: nudibranchs, cleaner shrimps, and other small critters

🎓 Who Can Dive AT KOH SAWANG?

• With a maximum depth of 30m, Koh Sawang is accessible for Open Water Divers, while advanced divers can explore deeper areas and enjoy strong currents that bring in schooling fish.

⭐ Key Highlights OF KOH SAWANG

• Considered one of the best dive sites in Koh Lipe

• Home to the famous Christmas Tree Pinnacle

• Vibrant mix of hard corals, soft corals, and giant gorgonians

• Excellent site for underwater photography and training courses

• Rich marine life including trevallies, clownfish, lionfish, and nudibranchs

Advanced wreck diving in Koh Lipe – explore an old Chinese fishing boat that sank in the 1990s, now a vibrant artificial reef in the Andaman Sea.

🌊 Overview OF THE YONG HUA WRECK

The Yong Hua Chinese Wreck is a large cargo ship that sank near the end of the 1990s and has become one of Koh Lipe’s most iconic wreck dives. With depths ranging from 28m to 42m, this site is recommended for Advanced Open Water Divers and offers both adventure and rich marine life.

📍 Location: Off Koh Lipe, Tarutao Marine Park

📏 Depth: 28m – 42m

🎓 Certification: Advanced Open Water +

🐠 Why Dive THE YONG HUA WRECK?

🛡️ Protection: Wreck shields divers from strong currents once at the bottom

⚓ Adventure: Deep diving in varying conditions is a thrilling challenge

🏚️ Atmosphere: Explore the structure of a sunken cargo ship covered in marine growth

🦐 Marine Life at THE YONG HUA WRECK

• Soft corals, black corals, and gorgonians covering the top of the wreck

• Strong currents attract pelagic species, making the site dynamic and exciting

🤿 Dive Experience AT THE YONG HUA WRECK

Recommended for Advanced Open Water Divers due to depth and currents. Ideal for PADI specialty courses: Wreck Diver, Deep Diver, and Advanced Open Water. Offers a mix of adventure, photography opportunities, and rich marine biodiversity.

⭐ Key Highlights OF THE YONG HUA WRECK

• Koh Lipe’s top wreck dive sites

• Depth: 28m – 42m, protected by ship structure

• Marine life: barracudas, lionfish, scorpionfish, giant grouper

• Corals: soft corals, black corals, gorgonians

• Perfect for wreck diving training and advanced courses

A small rocky island located in the northeast of the Butang Archipelago, near Koh Lipe

🌊 Overview OF KOH TARUE

Koh Tarue is a small rocky island located in the northeast of the Butang Archipelago, near Koh Lipe. Known for its vibrant coral life and abundant schools of fish, it’s an excellent dive site for Open Water Divers seeking a scenic and relaxed underwater experience.

📍 Location: Northeast Butang Archipelago, Andaman Sea

📏 Depth: Max 20m

🎓 Certification: Open Water

🐠 Why Dive at KOH tarue?

Shallow maximum depth (20m) makes it suitable for Open Water Divers and beginners. Drift along the cliff face to explore coral gardens and observe diverse fish species. Sandy areas may reveal stingrays, adding excitement for underwater photographers.

⭐ Key Highlights OF KOH TARUE

• Located in the northeast Butang Archipelago, ideal for diving near Koh Lipe

• Maximum depth 20m – perfect for beginner and intermediate divers

• Features hard coral gardens, schools of tropical fish, and occasional stingrays

• Scenic cliffs and ledges for a varied dive experience