Hin Pae / Rocky Pinnacle

Hin Pae, also known as Rocky Pinnacle, is an intermediate dive site near Chumphon reaching twenty-nine meters depth, a substantial submerged rock formation that provides some of the most impressive pinnacle diving available in the central Gulf of Thailand. The site's open-water position and considerable depth create conditions that attract marine life in density and diversity that rivals the more famous pinnacle sites around Koh Tao. The pinnacle rises from the deep Gulf bottom to create a concentrated ecosystem where the structural relief attracts fish from the surrounding area. The current that flows past the exposed formation brings nutrients that fuel vigorous biological growth, and the result is a reef community of impressive health and productivity. Coral coverage is excellent, with hard corals forming the framework and soft corals thriving on the current-swept faces. Fish life at Hin Pae is exceptional for the Chumphon area. Schools of barracuda and trevally orbit the pinnacle in impressive numbers, while groupers of notable size inhabit the deeper crevices. The twenty-nine meter depth provides access to marine communities not found at shallower sites, and the overall fish biomass around the pinnacle is substantial. Whale sharks occasionally pass through during the plankton-rich season. Hin Pae demonstrates that world-class pinnacle diving is not exclusive to Koh Tao's famous sites. The combination of dramatic underwater topography, healthy reef, exceptional fish life, and the adventure of diving an offshore formation in the central Gulf creates an experience that deserves wider recognition among serious Gulf of Thailand divers.