Junkyard Reef
| Rating | Easy |
|---|---|
| Depth | 7-12m |
Marine life at Junkyard Reef...
Located just off the west coast of Koh Tao, Junkyard Reef is one of the island’s most unique and creative dive sites. This purpose-built artificial reef sits in shallow water, around 8 meters and gently sloping to approximately 10 meters. The amount of artiifical structures here that are growing making it ideal for extended exploration and the sands all around make it easy for skill practice.
Currents & Conditions
Junkyard Reef is generally well sheltered and enjoys calm conditions for most of the year. Currents are typically light to minimal, and visibility often ranges from 8–20 meters depending on season and plankton levels. Water temperatures remain consistently warm at 27–30°C year-round. Its shallow profile and protected location make it a reliable choice when conditions elsewhere may be less predictable.
Underwater Landscape & Marine Life
Unlike natural granite pinnacles, Junkyard Reef is built from intentionally placed structures designed to encourage marine growth. Metal frames, sculptures, and artificial modules now serve as thriving reef habitat, covered in coral and attracting a surprising amount of life. Junkyard is also home to Tik Tok famous Steve the Pufferfish. Schools of fusiliers and snapper hover above the installations, while damselfish guard their territories among the structures. Moray eels shelter within the framework, and blue-spotted stingrays are often found resting on the surrounding sand. The site is also excellent for spotting nudibranchs, shrimp, and other macro life tucked into the artificial reef surfaces. The combination of creative design and natural colonisation gives Junkyard Reef a distinct personality — playful, photogenic, and constantly evolving.
Skill Level & Certification
Perfect for beginners, Open Water students, refreshers, and buoyancy-focused training thanks to its shallow depth and sandy areas. It’s also popular for specialty courses and underwater photography. Certified divers appreciate it as a relaxed fun dive or night dive, where the structures take on an entirely different atmosphere after dark.
Access & Logistics
Junkyard Reef is easily accessed from Sairee Beach and is often scheduled as a convenient west coast dive option. We meet at 12:20pm and depart directly via our shuttle boats to the main dive vessel. Travel time is short, maximising bottom time and keeping the afternoon smooth and efficient. The site is frequently paired with another nearby west coast location, with return to shore around 17:00pm — creative, calm, and something a little different from the island’s natural reef dives.
