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Scuba dive at 8 Miles Rock, Koh Lipe

Dive at 8 Miles Rock, Koh Lipe! Experience thrilling deep dives & encounter pelagic marvels. Ideal for advanced divers seeking the adrenaline of open sea adventure.

Diving into the Depths: The Allure of 8 Mile Rock

8 Miles Rock, located off the serene island of Koh Lipe in the Andaman Sea, stands as a beacon for advanced divers seeking the thrill of the open sea and the opportunity to mingle with pelagic giants. This isolated pinnacle, rising from the deep, is renowned for its challenging conditions and the rich biodiversity it attracts, making it a must-visit for those looking to push their diving boundaries. With its deep blue waters, strong currents, and the chance to encounter rare marine life, 8 Miles Rock offers an unparalleled diving adventure that is both exhilarating and rewarding. This guide delves into the essence of diving at 8 Miles Rock, highlighting the best seasons for exploration, the diverse marine life awaiting your discovery, and essential advice to navigate this advanced dive site safely. Whether you're drawn to the adrenaline of deep-water diving or the allure of encountering majestic pelagic species, 8 Miles Rock promises an unforgettable dive experience that showcases the wild beauty of Koh Lipe's underwater realm.

Diving Season in 8 Mile Rock

Timing Your Dive: The Best Seasons to Explore8 Mile Rock

The prime diving season at 8 Miles Rock aligns with the broader Andaman Sea diving calendar, extending from November to April. During these months, divers can expect the most favorable conditions, including clearer waters, water temperatures of 27°C to 30°C (81°F to 86°F), and improved chances for pelagic encounters due to optimal visibility often beyond 20 meters (65 feet). The calm seas of this season provide the safest window for tackling the challenging conditions of 8 Miles Rock. Advanced booking during this peak period is advised to secure a spot for this high-demand dive and to experience the site under the best possible conditions.

8 Mile Rock Diverse Marine Life

Whale shark

Manta ray

Eagle ray

Anemone fish

Box fish

Nudibranch

Octopus

Shrimp

Sea anemone

Soft Coral

Hard Coral

Barracuda

Butterflyfish

Lionfish

Napoleon fish

Parrot fish

8 Mile Rock Marine Life Sighting Calendar

HHigh chance

MMedium chance

LLow chance

-No sighting

The Marine Marvels of 8 Mile Rock: Animals and Seasons

8 Miles Rock is a magnet for pelagic species, offering divers rare sightings of marine life not commonly found near shorelines. The site is famous for encounters with manta rays, whale sharks, and schools of barracuda and trevally, providing a spectacle of nature's grandeur. Divers may also spot other inhabitants such as leopard sharks, tunas, and the occasional sailfish, making each dive a unique experience. The deep waters and nutrient-rich currents around the rock support a diverse ecosystem, ensuring a rich underwater exploration.

8 Mile Rock Diving Conditions

Recommended scuba diving level
Open water diver with experience

Water temperature

27°C - 29°C

Underwater visibility

> 20M

Underwater current

Moderate to Strong

Depth

25M - 40M

Weather

Temperature: 28°C - 35°C Monsoon season: Jun - Sep

Underwater hazard

Strong Current, Down Current

8 Miles Rock offers challenging yet rewarding diving conditions: Water Temperature: The surrounding waters maintain a comfortable warmth of 27°C to 30°C (81°F to 86°F), ideal for deep diving. Underwater Visibility: Visibility at 8 Miles Rock can be excellent, often exceeding 20 meters (65 feet), offering clear views of pelagic visitors and the deep blue seascape. Currents: Strong currents are common at this site, requiring advanced diving skills and experience in drift diving. Depth: The pinnacle's top starts at around 16 meters (52 feet) with the surrounding depths plunging well beyond recreational diving limits, catering to advanced divers. Weather: Optimal conditions are present from November to April, with calm seas facilitating access to this offshore site. Hazards: The site's isolation, depth, and strong currents make it suitable only for advanced divers. It is essential to dive with operators familiar with the site and to follow safe diving practices rigorously. 8 Miles Rock near Koh Lipe is an adventure dive that challenges and rewards in equal measure. It stands as a testament to the thrilling experiences the Andaman Sea has to offer to those willing to explore its depths. With its deep waters, pelagic encounters, and the sheer thrill of open sea diving, 8 Miles Rock is a pinnacle dive site for those seeking to experience the extraordinary diversity and excitement of Thailand's underwater world.