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A group of divers explores a mysterious underwater cave with fascinating rock formations.
📷 Caroline O.marcel · Pexels

8 mile rock

3.5 — based on 16 community signals
4.1 12 species 16 contributors

8 Mile Rock is a year-round Thailand dive site with documented marine life and active community content.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
BleachingRiskCurrentVariesPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
8 mile rock location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
8.7 kn
Wave
0.7 m
Water
31°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: W (36%)
Now: WNW (286°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 2.34m

Next: Low at 05:00 (-0.44m)

+1.8 m0 m-0.6 m
▼ 05:00 · -0.44m ▲ 11:00 · +1.77m ▼ 17:00 · -0.57m ▲ 00:00 · +1.7m
Sat 12Sun 13Mon 14Tue 15Wed 16Thu 17Fri 18
UV7.3 · high Air PM2.53 · good 06:13 18:24
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-12 9.5 0.72 7 22mm
09-13 11 0.48 8 7mm
09-14 12.7 0.54 9 14mm
09-15 11.8 0.66 7 13mm
09-16 12.4 0.68 9 11mm
09-17 11.4 1.18 8 13mm
09-18 7.1 1.06 3 5mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions
DHW: 3.3°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch

About this spot

8 Mile Rock delivers consistent diving off Thailand's coast. The site draws divers for its year-round accessibility and established reputation among local operators and visiting divers. Twelve species observations have been logged at the site, building a solid record of marine life encounters. The spot sits outside marine protected areas, which means fewer restrictions on diving operations. Community members have contributed three videos documenting conditions and wildlife, offering valuable reference material before your visit. These user submissions reflect active interest in the site. Water conditions and depth vary; check local dive operators for current seasonal forecasts and recent trip reports. Thailand's tropical climate keeps the site diveable throughout the year, though visibility and marine activity shift with monsoon patterns. The site carries a coral bleaching watch status, so responsible diving practices matter here.

📖 Guide: Diving in Thailand: 73 Sites from Whale Sharks to Shallow Reefs

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

ReefBoat

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B/C · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌑 Moon New moon · 0%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 10128km · ~2329kg · €42

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 11h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 12h east · 8 days recovery

FAQ

Can I dive 8 Mile Rock year-round?

Yes. 8 Mile Rock is listed as a year-round dive site. However, sea conditions, visibility, and marine activity vary seasonally with Thailand's monsoon patterns. Contact local dive operators for current conditions before booking.

What marine life can I expect?

Twelve species observations have been documented at 8 Mile Rock. Check community video submissions and local operator reports for current wildlife activity. Species presence fluctuates seasonally.

Are there access or permit requirements?

8 Mile Rock lies outside marine protected areas, so fewer regulatory restrictions apply. Work with established local dive operators who handle logistics and know current conditions.

What should I know about coral health?

The site carries a coral bleaching watch status. Dive responsibly by maintaining buoyancy control, avoiding contact with coral, and following operator guidelines to minimize impact.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

37 records · 34 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Hydrozoa

Hydrozoa
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×2records
Depth:
0–49 m

Decapoda

Malacostraca
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×2records
Depth:
0–49 m

Brachyura

Malacostraca
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×1records
Depth:
0–49 m

Branchiostoma

Leptocardii · Branchiostomatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×1records
Depth:
0–49 m

Cephalopoda

Cephalopoda
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×1records
Depth:
0–49 m

Copelata

Appendicularia
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×1records
Depth:
0–49 m

Cumacea

Malacostraca
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×1records
Depth:
0–49 m

Eryonidae

Malacostraca · Eryonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×1records
Depth:
0–49 m

Euphausiacea

Malacostraca
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×1records
Depth:
0–49 m

Gastropoda

Gastropoda
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×1records
Depth:
0–49 m

Gymnosomata

Gastropoda
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×1records
Depth:
0–49 m

Isopoda

Malacostraca
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Aug 1964
×1records
Depth:
0–49 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Whale Shark Encounter at 8 Mile Rock 🐋 | Ko Lipe Dive – 21st May 2025

Adang Sea Divers

8 Miles rock - North Pinnacle

Stef's dives

Scuba Diving in Koh Lipe: The ULTIMATE GUIDE! 🇹🇭

Aaron and Cassie
💬 3 top comments
  • 💬 Koh Lipe offers everything from whale sharks to macro critters — but is it the best diving in Thailand? What’s your pick? 👉 Compare it to Richelieu Rock – Thailand’s most famous dive site → https://youtu.be/y4Ts-12rYaQ  👉 Or watch our Chumphon vlog – Thailand’s hidden diving secret → https://youtu.be/LWv7b_RpydE

    @Aaron.and.Cassie · 👍 1
  • This looks stunning! Perfect information for divers coming to this area 👌

    @eemogillkorpse · 👍 1
  • Koh Lipe best....

    @rameliahmad8407 · 👍 2
wind peaks Jan-Feb-Dec, calmest Jul-Oct-Jun, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (81/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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