Koh Bon Pinnacle

Koh Bon Pinnacle is one of Thailand’s best-known manta ray sites — a submerged granite pinnacle west of Koh Bon island, roughly 40 km north of the main Similan Islands group, within the Similan Islands National Park, Phang Nga Province, Thailand.

Overview

The site actually consists of two pinnacles: the first (and shallower) tops out around 18 meters, the second around 24 meters, with the formation dropping to roughly 40 meters (thailandliveaboards.com, notroublesjustbubbles.com). This corrects the previously stated maximum depth of 50 meters — multiple current sources place the base closer to 40 meters. Manta rays visit a cleaning station on the pinnacle’s eastern side, where cleaner wrasse service the mantas’ bodies. Sightings are reported November through May, with peak likelihood January to April.

Site Information

• Location: West of Koh Bon island, ~40km north of the main Similan group, Similan Islands National Park, Phang Nga Province, Thailand
• Entry Type: liveaboard
• Site Type: Pinnacle/seamount
• Difficulty Level: Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 40 meters
• Typical Visibility: 15–40 meters
• Current: Strong to very strong; tidal-dependent
• Best Time: November to May; manta sightings most likely January–April

Marine Life

Sources confirm reef manta rays at the cleaning station, along with eagle rays and blacktip reef sharks (thailandliveaboards.com, notroublesjustbubbles.com). Leopard sharks and whale sharks, previously listed here, were not corroborated for this specific site in the sources consulted this pass and have been removed rather than carried forward as unverified claims — those species are documented at nearby Koh Tachai/Twin Peaks/The Dome rather than confirmed at Koh Bon specifically.

Dive Profile

Dive plans typically approach the down-current side of the pinnacle and work toward the shallower cleaning station (18–24 meters) where manta activity is concentrated. Divers hold a neutral, passive position near the cleaning station to avoid disrupting the cleaning behavior, per standard manta etiquette.

Entry and Exit

All access is by liveaboard vessel; no day-trip boats reach this site given the distance from Khao Lak. Liveaboards anchor or drift and deploy zodiacs for individual groups. Entry is typically a giant stride with a descent line if current is running.

Tips and Recommendations

• Approach the cleaning station from below and remain still — sudden movement or bubbles directed at a manta will interrupt the cleaning behavior and drive it off
• Time your dive with the guide’s assessment of the tidal window — currents here are strong and tidal-dependent
• A reef hook, attached to bare rubble rather than coral, lets you hold position without finning near the cleaning station

Safety Considerations

Currents at Koh Bon Pinnacle can shift and run hard as tidal flow bends around the formation. Divers who lose contact with the pinnacle in strong current should deploy an SMB and surface for pickup rather than fight the current. Advanced certification with logged current-diving experience is the standard recommendation.

Photography

Wide-angle photography of mantas at the cleaning station, shot from below against open blue water, is the signature image here. A rectilinear or fisheye wide-angle lens helps capture a manta’s full wingspan at close range.

Sources: Thailand Liveaboards, Not Troubles Just Bubbles, Similan Diving Tours, Khao Lak Explorer. Last updated 2026-07-05.