Phuket · Thailand · Pinnacle · Wall
Barracuda Rock
Large schools of barracuda on an exposed pinnacle in strong current
Area photo: Jeanvenotella · CC BY-SA 4.0
Barracuda Rock is an exposed pinnacle that runs from 5 m down to 35 m, with walls and slopes on its flanks and current that often runs strong. It is an advanced dive, and the reason to do it is the fish: large schools of barracuda, with tuna, trevally and other pelagic species passing in the open water around the rock.
Where it is and how deep
7.7530° N, 98.3284° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
The rock stands in an exposed position and the current is often strong, so the dive starts with a prompt descent from the boat to get onto the pinnacle before the water carries you off it. The top of the rock is at 5 m and its flanks fall away as walls and slopes to 35 m. Once on the rock, stay close to it and use its lee: the depth you work at is set by your plan, but the deeper walls give the most protection from the current and the best view of what is passing in the blue.
The fish are the dive. Large schools of barracuda hang off the rock, and tuna, trevally and other pelagic species come through the same open water, so much of the time is spent looking out from the wall rather than at it. Work back up the slopes as the dive goes on and finish on the 5 m top of the pinnacle, where the safety stop can be done on the rock itself before you surface for the boat.
Marine life and season
- Barracuda
- Tuna
- Trevally & jacks
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime |
Season follows Phuket: Calm, dry conditions mid-Oct to May; the May–Oct monsoon cuts clarity but Phuket's sites stay open, unlike the Similans (closed 16 May–15 Oct).
Know before you go
- Currents are often strong: descend promptly, stay close to the rock in its lee, and carry a surface marker so the boat can follow the group on the ascent.
- The site reaches 35 m on an exposed rock; set a depth limit and turn the dive on time and gas, not on the fish.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Barracuda Rock?+
The pinnacle runs from 5 m at the top to 35 m at the base, with walls and slopes on its sides.
Is Barracuda Rock suitable for beginners?+
No. It is an exposed pinnacle that often has strong current and drops to 35 m, and it is rated an advanced dive.
Sources
- Barracuda Rock — Scubago
More dive sites in Phuket
Reef
Boulders and coral off Karon Beach, dived from the shore in mild current
A wreck at 8 m and a drift south down a slope that reaches 40 m
A 34 m barge lying open at 30 to 34 m off Racha Yai's east coast
Reef
A 3 to 12 m house reef off the beach for training, macro and night dives
Wreck
Small wrecks and concrete cubes in one calm bay, with batfish in the hulls
Similar dives elsewhere
Granite arches at the exposed north end of the chain
Purple soft-coral wall dropping past recreational limits
Mother of Sharks: hammerheads and tigers on a lone pinnacle
Grey reefs and hammerheads off an exposed pinnacle