Diving at Hin Wong Pinnacle Koh Tao is The Divers Boat’s secret weapon when the weather turns. Sitting on the east coast of the divers’ island, away from the big offshore pinnacles, this sheltered site lets us dive when conditions close the west coast. Majestic sea fans, giant groupers, nudibranchs and filefish — it is far more than a fallback. It is a destination in its own right, loved by certified divers who take the time to look closely.

Hin Wong Pinnacle Koh Tao: the east coast site you can dive in any weather

Hin Wong Pinnacle sits on the east coast of Koh Tao, on the opposite side of the island from the big offshore pinnacles such as Chumphon Pinnacle or Sail Rock. Tucked away from the prevailing westerly winds, it is one of the very few sites on the divers’ island that stays divable whatever the weather. So when the forecast closes the west coast, this becomes our go-to destination — and often the highlight of the day.

The crossing from Mae Haad takes about 40 minutes around the island. When the boat is moored on the east side, however, the site is only 10 minutes away — a serious advantage in rough weather. The east coast of Koh Tao is also far quieter than the west: fewer boats, fewer divers in the water, calmer marine life and more relaxed dives.

Sea fans — the signature of this east coast site

What sets Hin Wong Pinnacle apart from the other Koh Tao dive sites is, above all, its sea fans 🔗. These fan corals, graceful in shape and ranging from bright yellow to deep orange, line the walls of the pinnacle from 15 metres down. Anchored in the current, they filter suspended particles and shelter a remarkable micro-fauna — shrimps, small fish and nudibranchs — that only patient divers manage to spot.

The rock walls also drop away gradually to 30 metres, giving a varied dive profile that suits Open Water divers as well as Advanced certified divers who want to explore the deeper sections. It is precisely this versatility that makes the site rewarding every single time.

Marine life: what you will meet underwater

This site is a paradise for macro and for slow observation. Every dive at Hin Wong Pinnacle Koh Tao rewards attentive eyes: the marine life here is discreet but varied, and that is exactly what makes the site so special to the divers who know it well.

What level do you need to dive Hin Wong Pinnacle Koh Tao?

Diving at Hin Wong Pinnacle Koh Tao is open to divers holding an Open Water (OW) certification as a minimum. The top of the pinnacle at 10 metres is perfect for Open Water divers, and the marine life is already rewarding there. To reach the most impressive sea fans and explore the walls down to 30 metres, however, the Advanced Open Water (AOW) level is recommended.

The site’s wealth of macro life also makes it excellent ground for the SSI Underwater Photography specialty: the sea fans and the nudibranchs offer exceptional photographic subjects in a calm, sheltered environment. Just mention it to the team at The Divers Boat.

Planning your dive day with The Divers Boat

The Divers Boat runs fun dive trips from Mae Haad, the main pier on Koh Tao. As an international SSI dive centre, we dive in small groups with personal supervision, in good weather and bad.

In practice, this site combines perfectly with the other east coast sites of Koh Tao to make up a full day — in particular with the nearby new wreck, the HTMS Hanhak Sattru . Have a look at our other Koh Tao dive sites to plan your trip.