Koh Bon Pinnacle

Koh Bon is a small island between the Similan Islands and Koh Tachai in the Andaman Sea, and its western ridge is one of Thailand's premier manta ray sites. A submerged pinnacle extends from the island's western shore, dropping from 12 meters to beyond 40 meters. The ridge is covered in hard corals and is home to a cleaning station where manta rays hover while cleaner wrasses pick parasites from their gills and skin. During peak season (February–April), multiple mantas may circle the station, sometimes performing barrel rolls and passing within arm's reach of stationary divers. The pinnacle itself is an excellent dive regardless of manta presence. Hard coral coverage is dense, with large table corals and staghorn formations creating habitat for moray eels, octopuses, and scorpionfish. Schools of yellowtail snapper, fusiliers, and trevally swirl above the reef. Leopard sharks (zebra sharks) rest on sandy patches at the base of the pinnacle and are regularly encountered in the early morning. Barracuda patrols are common in the blue water beyond the ridge. The eastern side of the island features a wall dive with soft corals and fans, offering a contrast to the western pinnacle. Koh Bon is a standard stop on Similan Islands liveaboard itineraries, typically visited for two to three dives. The site can have strong currents, particularly on the exposed western face, requiring experienced drift-diving skills.

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