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| Chumphon
Dive Sites |
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The
dive sites surrounding the islands of Koh Ngam Noi,
Koh Ngam Yai, and the outcrops of Hin Lak Ngam and
Hin Pae, offer excellent diving opportunities. Divers
can experience fascinating seabed configurations
from coral gardens to rock piles and caves. The
main attraction which adds color to the sea is the
extravagance of the fish. Most divers find the need
to record the amazing variety in their logs! This
is a plankton rich sea and the fish life proliferate
at a remarkable rate. Visibility varies according
to tide and weather factors. On a favorable day,
the visibility can be 20 meters but at low tides
it can be reduced to only 8 to 10 meters. Hin Lak
Ngam This dive site is located 1 1/2 hours away
from Thung Wua Laen Beach. The landmark comprises
two weather-beaten rock outcrops. Like all other
outcrops, they serve as roosting areas for sea birds.
As the boat approaches, these birds take flight.
Sensing that the boat and divers are of no threat,
they calmly resettle on the rocks.
The
rock outcrop gradually broadens its formation to
form the reef base at 27 meters. Its walls are terraced
with crevices, holes, caves and protuberances. Hard
and soft corals grow on the surfaces of these undulating
formations. The abundant microscopic food among
the corals attract schools of fish with possible
sightings of whale shark and manta ray.
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Koh
Ngam Noi
& Koh Ngam Ya
Both
islands display scant vegetation amidst natural,
almost artistic, rock structures. The little caves
and crannies found here are homes to swifts. The
nest they build are a special grade of birds nest
which are treasured for their nutritional value
and are accordingly highly prized. Bird's nests
collectors build authentic huts on these rocks.
Of these two islands, Koh Ngam Noi offers more attractive
landscapes with huts built on different levels of
rocky headland. The best time for photography is
between 2.00 to 3.00 pm when the sun is shining.
These two islands are about 15 minutes apart by
boat and Koh Ngam Noi, the nearest island from Hin
Lak Ngam, is about 25 minutes away. The dive schedule
for these two sites is plan ned according
to which way the wind blows. The dive boat
will initially moor on the lee side where
divers take a rest and gear up. When they are ready
to dive, the boat will steer towards the exposed
part of the island, allowing the divers to get into
the waters and double back to moor in the calm bay.
Dive masters take their bearings and guide divers
through an underwater tour back to the dive boat.
Narrow
"swim throughs" offer a view of a healthy collection
of soft and hard corals at these sights. Varieties
of big resident fish found under rock ledges and
little caves. Visiting fish are more apparent during
the flow of the current.
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This
is the second rock outcrop dive site of Chumphon
and is located at the northernmost area between
the four popular dive sites of Chumphon
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