A 3D architectures of CoO@MoS2 composite photocatalyst was prepared by coating MoS2 onto the (1 1 1) facts of sub-micrometer CoO octahedrons via a facile solvothermal method. The CoO@MoS(2 )composites show a significantly improved photocatalytic activity for overall water splitting. At an optimal ratio of 3 wt% MoS2, CoO@MoS2-3% composite can split pure water with the stoichiometric ratio production of H-2 and O-2 under visible light irradiation, meanwhile, presents the highest H-2 production evolution (1.07 mu mol/h), which is almost four times than that of pure CoO (0.26 mu mol/h). Moreover, the CoO@MoS2 composite still remains good stability after three successive cyclings (over 72 h). The enhanced photocatalytic activity and stability can be attributed that the layered MoS2 shell not only promoted the photo-induced charge transfer at the interface of CoO due to the sufficient contact area between CoO and MoS2, but also protected the exposed the (1 1 1) facts of CoO from devastation. Our work offers more insights into the development of a simple synthesis of well-shaped 3D-based composite photocatalysts towards the energy- and environmental-related applications.