The Gulf of Thailand
divesites
Koh Tao, Koh Phangnan and Ang Thong Marine
park
Green Rock
One of the most popular dive sites in the Koh Tao area, depth ranges
down to about 25 metres. It provides more adventurous diving as you
can swim through the many crevices, arches and swim-holes. Common sightings
include harlequin sweetlips, blue-ringed angelfish, moray eels, and
triggerfishes. Sometimes, you can spot whitetip reef sharks, large
groupers and schools of yellowtail fusiliers.
Chumpon
Pinnacle
Considered one of the more challenging dive sites with occasionally
strong currents, this is a spectacular site to spot many grey reef
sharks! Depth is up to about 36 metres and is laden with the most impressive
array of sealife from giant groupers to black corals, huge anemone
gardens to yellow boxfishes. The four fascinating submerged pinnacles
will present big pelagic fishes such as barracuda, mackerel and trevallies.
Adult and juvenile batfishes will escort you around the pinnacles.
The abundant microscopic food amongst the corals attract schools of
fish with possible sightings of whale sharks.
Sail Rock
15 km north of Koh Pagnan, a block emerges from the sea, and ranges
down to 40 metres. The main attraction of this dive site is a naturally
formed 15-metre high underwater dive wall or chimney. Divers can ascend
from 18 meters up the chimney wall to the surface, making this a unique
diving experience. Visibility is usually excellent at around 30 metres.
The structure itself is pocked with small holes, which are ideal homes
for white-eyed and yellow margin moray eels, as well as large sea anemones.
Sightings of reef sharks and manta rays are also common, as are large
schools of tuna, jacks, trevallies and barracudas. Even here, whale
sharks can be seen occasionally.
Southwest
Pinnacle
The Southwest Pinnacles consists of three rock formations, which range
from 4 - 30 meters below the surface, representing a series of short
wall dives. At the top of the pinnacles are blankets of underwater
plant life in a stunning array of rainbow colours. Between the rocks
are many bushy black coral sea whips and gorgonian sea fans. Leopard
sharks are often encountered and it is even possible to meet the occasional
whale shark. Giant groupers are common here, as are scribbled filefish,
masked porcupine fish, yellowtail, barracuda and snapper.
Ang
Tong Marine Park
Ang Tong National Marine Park lies approximately 30 km northwest of
Koh Samui. Popularized by the movie, The Beach, the park comprises
80 islands and offers some of the best diving in Thailand. Koh Wao
and Koh Yippon are the most popular dive sites, featuring incredible
swim-through experiences, not to mention other encounters with caves,
tunnels and passageways. The water visibility can range from 15 - 30
metres. The marine park is a proverbial spawning ground for many fish
species and is home to hundreds of different varieties of colourful
soft and hard coral. The scattering limestone islands offer splendid
caves, crystal waters, together with hundreds of beaches, large and
small.
