Red Rock

Red Rock is an intermediate dive site off the northwestern coast of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand, a granite pinnacle reaching twenty-two meters depth that has earned its name from the reddish hue of the rock visible above the waterline. This site provides engaging pinnacle diving with swim-throughs, overhangs, and a marine community that thrives on the current exposure of this northwestern position. The granite formation creates a dramatic underwater structure, with large boulders stacked and tumbled to form passages and caverns that divers can navigate at various depths. The swim-throughs at Red Rock are among Koh Tao's best, with openings large enough for comfortable passage and atmospheric lighting from above. The twenty-two meter depth at the base provides access to the deeper habitat zones while the pinnacle top offers excellent safety stop terrain. Coral growth on the rock is healthy, with hard corals on the exposed upper surfaces and soft corals decorating the shaded overhangs and cave ceilings. The current that frequently flows past the exposed northwestern face brings nutrients that support vigorous marine growth, and the overall reef health reflects this enrichment. Fish life is excellent, with the pinnacle's structural complexity supporting dense populations. Schools of trevally and barracuda orbit the rock, while groupers and snappers inhabit the deeper caves. The macro life is rich, with nudibranchs found by careful observers. Trigger fish are notably common and occasionally aggressive during nesting season. Red Rock delivers dramatic pinnacle diving at a manageable intermediate level, making it one of Koh Tao's most rewarding sites for divers who have progressed beyond the beginner stage and are ready for more topographically complex and current-influenced environments.