Southwest Pinnacle or Gong Tung Gu The Unmissable
Koh Tao Diving Hotspot
If you’re looking for a diving experience that gets your heart racing from the moment you submerge, Southwest Pinnacle (Gong Tung Gu) is one of the three famous dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand that is frequently recommended as a must-visit. Here, divers will discover underwater beauty, including schools of fish, corals, and numerous marine creatures. It is a site known for its abundance, making it a perfect spot for explorers and underwater photographers to experience firsthand.
Nava Scuba Diving is ready to take you through every thrill, from start to finish, at Southwest Pinnacle to ensure your experience is fun, safe, and filled with lasting impressions.
Where is Southwest Pinnacle? Pinpointing the Location for Koh Tao Divers
Southwest Pinnacle (Gong Tung Gu) is located approximately 7 kilometers southwest of Koh Tao, taking about 40-45 minutes by boat. This dive site
is characterized by massive granite pinnacles shaped like mountain ranges in the center, surrounded by smaller rock pillars, creating various underwater crevices and ridges. The average depth is 20 meters, reaching a maximum of 30 meters. The shallowest part of the pinnacle is about 5 meters below
the surface, making it a visually stunning and multi-dimensional site—perfect for divers who want to experience the true grandeur of Koh Tao’s underwater world.
Why Southwest Pinnacle is a Top Choice for Divers
Although Southwest Pinnacle is sometimes overlooked because most divers are more accustomed to visiting Chumphon Pinnacle, Nava Scuba Diving highly recommends that Southwest Pinnacle is a dive site you shouldn’t miss.
This underwater realm will lead you to discover crevices that serve as hiding spots for small creatures like shrimp, crabs, and rays, alongside fields
of sea anemones swaying among the rocks. You also have the chance to encounter various large schools of fish, such as Yellowstripe Scads, Yellowtail Barracudas, and Chevron Barracudas.
For those seeking extra excitement, you can venture beyond the main pinnacle to explore the “Secret Pinnacle,” located just 5 minutes away.
However, it is important to check the currents and visibility before heading out. When the sea is calm, Southwest Pinnacle is one of the most beautiful and rewarding underwater worlds in Koh Tao.
Key Information Table: A Guide for Divers
To see how “complete” this dive site is, take a look at the table below. Nava Scuba Diving has summarized everything for easy understanding—from maximum depth and currents to recommended diver levels, travel time, and the highlights waiting for you. This will ensure you’re ready to explore Southwest Pinnacle to the fullest.
| Dive Information | Details |
| General Depth | 20 Meters |
| Maximum Depth | 30 Meters |
| Currents | Mild to Moderate (depending on weather) |
| Recommended Level | All levels, from Open Water to Advanced |
| Dive Types | Fun Dive, PADI Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Enriched Air Nitrox |
| Boat Travel Time | 40-45 Minutes |
| Highlights | Large pinnacles and surrounding pillars, sandy patches, sea anemones, sea fans, large schools of fish, and the Secret Pinnacle |
What Can You Expect to See at Southwest Pinnacle?
Southwest Pinnacle (Gong Tung Gu) has much more to offer than you might expect. It is a dive site that combines majestic rock structures, intricate details on the rock surfaces, and the excitement of marine life that appears throughout the dive. Whether you are a fish enthusiast, an explorer,
or an underwater photographer, you will surely fall in love with this place.
1. Frequently Spotted Marine Life
Southwest Pinnacle is home to various groups of marine life, from resident reef fish to large predators that pass through periodically. Divers visiting
this site have the chance to encounter different creatures on every dive, depending on the currents and weather conditions.
Reef Fish
- Anemone Fish
- Butterfish Fish
- Longfin Bannerfish
- Angel Fish
Schooling Fish
- Yellow Stripe Scad
- Big Eye Trevally
- Chevron Barracuda
- Yellowtail Barracuda
Predators
- Giant Grouper
- Great Barracuda
Hidden Creatures
- White-eyed Moray Eel
- Blue-spotted Stingray
- Yellow Boxfish
- Shrimp
- Crabs
Rare Visitors
- Whale Shark
2. Colorful Corals and Anemones
Beyond the large fish that star in this dive, Southwest Pinnacle also offers small details to pause and admire. The rock surfaces are covered with sea whips, hard corals are scattered throughout the site, and sea anemones sway with the current like a backdrop that brings the dive to life.
If you go deeper, you’ll encounter other corals and large sponges interspersed along the sandy bottom and various deep spots. You’ll get the full experience—both wide-angle vistas and the beautiful details of Koh Tao’s underwater world.
3. Underwater Structures and Rock Formations
Another charm of Southwest Pinnacle is its unique underwater topography. Large granite boulders are layered in tiers, featuring walls, ridges,
and overhangs that make exploration never boring. Along the way, there are holes and crevices to peek into for hidden gems. Diving at Southwest Pinnacle is about gradually discovering every corner, every detail, and enjoying the exploration of the underwater landscape throughout the entire dive.
Is the Challenging “Southwest Pinnacle” Right for You?
Southwest Pinnacle isn’t just a “descend, look, and finish” type of site; it’s a dive spot that requires the right timing, experience, and good planning to be fully enjoyed. For anyone looking for a new site, wanting to intensify their diving level, or wishing to put their learned skills to full use, this site is the perfect answer. Let’s see which types of divers Southwest Pinnacle is best suited for
1. Open Water Divers
As long as you hold an Open Water certification, you can dive at Southwest Pinnacle, especially on days with good weather. This site offers a variety of depth ranges to choose from, including shallow zones for the end of your dive and deeper zones for added excitement. It is perfect for divers looking to transition from easy dives near the island to experiencing an open-sea dive site with a completely different atmosphere.
2. Advanced Divers and Experience Seekers
For Advanced divers or those with a fair amount of diving experience, Southwest Pinnacle is one of the most pleasant and challenging spots.
With its diverse depths and underwater structures, this dive is ideal for those who have good air consumption and enjoy exploring deeper areas for longer periods. It is truly one of the highlight dive sites of Koh Tao.
3. PADI Nitrox Divers
For advanced divers who have continued their education with a PADI Nitrox course at Nava Scuba Diving or already hold a PADI Nitrox card,
Southwest Pinnacle is your playground. Since this dive site has an average depth of around 20 meters and much of the exploration happens at significant depths, using Nitrox will extend your No Decompression Limit (NDL). This allows you to stay down longer and take your time capturing every detail around the pinnacles without having to rush.
Dive Packages for Southwest Pinnacle by Nava Scuba Diving
Having read this far, anyone looking to explore Southwest Pinnacle can dive with Nava Scuba Diving right away! We offer various diving packages tailored to your experience level. Whether you’re just starting with PADI Open Water, looking to challenge yourself with Advanced Open Water, or simply joining a Fun Dive trip, every package is designed to let you spend quality time in the underwater world safely. We’ll take you to discover the marine life and breathtaking underwater landscapes of Southwest Pinnacle.
If you’re still undecided, let’s check which option suits you best.
1. PADI Open Water
For beginner divers, PADI Open Water is the best starting point. This course teaches fundamental skills and takes you to a depth of 18 meters, which is plenty to explore around the peaks of Southwest Pinnacle, see anemone gardens, and encounter cute schools of fish. You’ll have a first diving experience that is both fun and confident, and receive your PADI Open Water Certification to continue your adventures at any dive site around Koh Tao.
2. PADI Advanced Open Water
If you want to take your diving to a more challenging level, the PADI Advanced Open Water course will take you down to 30 meters. You’ll learn deep diving, professional buoyancy control, and underwater navigation, making you ready to explore spectacular dive sites around Koh Tao, including Southwest Pinnacle from perspectives you’ve never seen before, equipped with advanced safety and self-management skills.
3. Fun Diving Trip
If you simply want a chill dive at Southwest Pinnacle, just bring your Open Water certification and you can join a Fun Dive Trip with Nava Scuba Diving for up to 2 dives per trip. Our expert Dive Leads will guide you to key highlights of Southwest Pinnacle, from schools of fish to interesting rock crevices. Full equipment, maximum safety, and lunch are all included.
4. PADI Nitrox
For advanced divers who want to stay underwater longer, using Nitrox helps extend your NDL, allowing you to explore Southwest Pinnacle for extended periods and reducing nitrogen accumulation. This is also ideal for multiple-dive days. The course includes expert instructors, a PADI Nitrox card,
full equipment, and additional services to ensure you have a great time on the island.
Southwest Pinnacle (or Gong Tung Gu) is one of Koh Tao’s highlight dive sites, teeming with diverse marine life. From the chance to encounter
Whale Sharks to exploring rock formations and underwater crevices that create stunning views, along with swaying corals and anemones that look like an underwater hanging garden.
Divers of all levels, from PADI Open Water and above, should not miss exploring this site. If you’re ready to experience the magnificence of the sea, don’t wait! Book your dive trip with Nava Scuba Diving today and come explore the underwater world of Koh Tao with us.
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest Pinnacle Before Planning Your Dive
Southwest Pinnacle suitable for beginners?
Southwest Pinnacle is not suitable for absolute beginners who do not yet have a diving certification, as it is an open-sea dive site with greater depths than typical shore-side sites and can have currents.
However, if you are a PADI Open Water student or have confident basic diving skills, you can dive here. To ensure the safest experience, it is recommended to dive with a Nava Scuba Diving lead who knows the site well for the best possible underwater experience.
Is there a chance to see rare marine life at this site?
There is a chance to encounter rare marine life such as Whale Sharks, especially during plankton blooms. This causes large pelagic animals to pass through more frequently than at other dive sites. While sightings aren’t guaranteed every time, it is considered one of the sites with a high probability of seeing big marine animals.
How deep is the dive? Is it dangerous?
Do I need special equipment to dive at Southwest Pinnacle?
Generally, standard Scuba diving equipment is sufficient for Gong Tung Gu. However, if you have a PADI Nitrox certification and choose to use a Nitrox tank instead of regular air, you will get more bottom time and can explore more of the pinnacle without rushing. This is highly recommended for trips involving multiple dives over several consecutive days.
Your Options to Explore Koh Tao
Original price was: ฿2,000.฿1,900Current price is: ฿1,900.
