Dive Site: Koh Lipe — Stonehenge

About Koh Lipe — Stonehenge

Koh Lipe's Stonehenge dive site, located off the southern tip of Koh Talang, is renowned for its striking topography and rich marine life. Named for its resemblance to the ancient monument, hundreds of granite pinnacles emerge from the seabed, creating a labyrinth of archways, swim-throughs, and overhangs. These formations are densely covered in colorful soft corals, particularly purple and white varieties, which thrive alongside hard corals like table, staghorn, and brain corals, indicating excellent reef health within the Tarutao National Marine Park. The site's depth ranges from 5 to 30 meters, making it accessible for various certification levels, though the most dramatic features are found deeper. While currents can vary, they often bring in pelagic species, creating an exciting drift dive experience. The interplay of sunlight through the boulder gaps, casting shafts of light on the coral-covered rocks, creates a stunning visual for divers. Marine life here is abundant and diverse. Large schools of yellowtail snappers and barracuda are common, especially on incoming tides. You can also spot blacktip reef sharks patrolling deeper sections, along with occasional eagle rays and hawksbill turtles. The protected crevices and coral gardens harbor moray eels, frogfish, pipefish, nudibranchs, and lionfish, offering plenty for macro enthusiasts. Night dives transform the site, revealing nocturnal hunters like scorpionfish. Diving Stonehenge typically involves a short boat ride from Koh Lipe. Many dive shops visit daily, offering guided dives. The site offers both current-exposed areas that attract larger marine life and sheltered pockets for more relaxed exploration, ensuring a memorable experience for both wide-angle and macro photographers.

Dive site facts: Koh Lipe — Stonehenge

Depth

5–30 m

Typical dive

8–25 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild to strong, tide-dependent

Visibility

15–30 m (peak season), 5–10 m (monsoon)

Water temperature

27–30°C

Entry

Boat / Negative entry recommended

Level

Open Water (AOWD recommended for full exploration)

Dive type

Reef, topography, soft coral, drift, macro, pelagic

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Koh Lipe, Andaman Sea, Thailand

Coordinates

6.485, 99.235

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Stonehenge can vary significantly, ranging from mild to strong, depending on tidal cycles. Incoming tides often bring in nutrient-rich waters, attracting larger pelagic species, but also intensify the current, sometimes reaching 1-3 knots. Divers should be prepared for potential drift conditions and discuss current management with their guide, possibly using a reef hook in exposed areas. Negative entries are often recommended to avoid surface currents. While stronger currents enhance marine life sightings, protected pockets and swim-throughs offer calmer environments for those less comfortable with drift diving. Visibility is highly dependent on these tidal currents, generally improving during half-moon periods, and thermoclines are not typically a significant factor in the consistent water temperatures.

Marine life & sighting chances

Yellowtail Snappers

common

Moray Eels

common

Clownfish

common

Lionfish

occasional

Batfish

occasional

Barracuda

common

Nudibranchs

common

Pipefish

occasional

Frogfish

occasional

Blacktip Reef Sharks

occasional

Hawksbill Turtle

occasional

Eagle Ray

December-February · occasional

Scorpionfish

occasional

Whale Shark

Peak Season / May-September · rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Stonehenge typically begin with a negative entry due to potential currents, descending directly onto the top of the main boulder formations, which start around 5-8 meters. The dive then progresses downwards, weaving through the massive granite pinnacles that create numerous archways and swim-throughs between 12 and 22 meters. Divers can explore the coral-covered rocks, observing schools of fish and macro life. The deepest sections reach 24-30 meters along vertical walls, offering opportunities to spot blacktip reef sharks. The route is often planned to utilize the current, allowing for a drift past the most vibrant coral sections and areas where pelagics congregate. The turn point is determined by air consumption and bottom time, with the ascent usually guided towards the shallower plateau at 5 meters for a safety stop, providing an engaging area rich with life to observe during decompression.

Underwater photography

Stonehenge provides exceptional opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography, demanding versatility in gear. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for capturing the dramatic scale of the granite boulder formations, their intricate archways, and the stunning light shafts that penetrate through gaps, particularly during late morning. For these shots, external strobes can enhance the vibrant colors of the soft corals and illuminate the swim-throughs. Macro photographers will find plenty of subjects hidden in the crevices and among the corals, including nudibranchs, pipefish, and tiny reef inhabitants; a snoot can be effective here for highlighting subjects against the busy background. Buoyancy control is paramount to avoid contact with the delicate soft corals that densely cover the rocks, especially when maneuvering through tight swim-throughs or positioning for close-up shots. Be mindful of potential currents, which can make precise framing challenging but also position schools of fish for dynamic wide-angle compositions.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Koh Lipe — 8 Mile Rock

  A deeper offshore pinnacle known for pelagic encounters, including whale sharks, with stronger currents.

• Hin Daeng

  A submerged pinnacle off Koh Lanta, famous for vibrant red soft corals and pelagic sightings, including manta rays.

• Hin Muang

  Paired with Hin Daeng, featuring stunning purple soft corals and attracting large pelagic species.

• Richelieu Rock

  Considered one of Thailand's best sites, an isolated pinnacle teeming with macro life, schooling fish, and occasional whale sharks.

• Christmas Point

  Another site in the region offering diverse reef structures and marine life.

Getting there & logistics

Accessing Koh Lipe and its dive sites like Stonehenge typically involves flying into Hat Yai International Airport (HDY). From there, a 2-3 hour minivan transfer takes you to Pak Bara Pier, followed by a 1.5-2 hour speedboat ride to Koh Lipe. Alternatively, travelers can arrive from Langkawi, Malaysia, with a direct 1.5-hour speedboat. Once on Koh Lipe, numerous dive shops offer daily trips to Stonehenge, usually a 15-30 minute journey by longtail or speedboat from Pattaya or Sunrise Beach. Dive trips typically include two dives and rental gear, costing between 2,800-3,500 THB. A Tarutao National Marine Park entry fee of 200 THB per person, plus a small boat fee, is also required. Many visitors combine diving with island relaxation, making for trips ranging from a few days to over a week.

Safety & environment

For diving at Stonehenge, standard dive safety protocols are essential, particularly given the site's variable currents. Divers should always carry a reef hook, be proficient in buoyancy control, and follow their guide's instructions, especially regarding negative entries. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Hat Yai, necessitating potentially lengthy evacuation times of several hours by boat and land. Therefore, comprehensive dive insurance covering emergency medical treatment and evacuation is highly recommended. Within Tarutao National Marine Park, strict no-touch rules are enforced to protect the coral, with fines up to 10,000 THB for coral damage. Lionfish and scorpionfish are present, so divers must maintain awareness of their surroundings and avoid touching anything on the reef.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Koh Lipe — Stonehenge FAQ

Liveaboards diving Koh Lipe — Stonehenge

These liveaboards may visit Koh Lipe — Stonehenge on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Mandarin Queen 9

Thailand

26 guests37.5 m

Manta Queen 8

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24 guests

$127/day

The Junk

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18 guests33 m

$163/day

Deep Andaman Queen

Thailand

23 guests30.5 m

$194/day

Explorer

Thailand

16 guests25 m

$150/day

Andaman

Thailand

20 guests26 m

$108/day

Stingray

Thailand

8 guests24 m

$245/day

Seatopia

Thailand

24 guests24 m