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| Koh
Lanta Dive Sites |
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Independant
dive guides have classed the dive sites around Koh
Lanta as some of the best in the world. The divesites
offer a variety of unspoilt reefs, amazing drop
offs, caves and wrecks. Here we introduce some of
the dive sites which can be reached within an hour
or few from our dive centre on Koh Lanta.
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Kho
Ha
Haa means 5 in Thai and Koh Haa
is made up of five small islands (actually six but somebody
must have miscalculated!!)
These islands are situated about two hours away from Koh
Lanta. Just enough time to have breakfast and get prepared
before the dive. Koh Ha is one of our favourites as there
are (nearly) always very good conditions for diving. We
find a nice spot between the islands to stay during the
surface intervals. The average depth is 18-34 metres and
there is an abundance of marine life and also a few caves.
Our favourite is a cave with two entrances one at a depth
of 5 metres and the other at 16 metres. Inside the cave
there is a “cathedral” which stretches 30 metres above the
surface inside the cave. The light finds it’s way in and
creates a magical atmosphere. |
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When
you are inside this cave you always have open water above
(i.e. you can surface at any time) so all certified divers
can safely dive here.
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Koh
Bida Nok
Koh Bida Nok
Just over an hours journey from Koh Lanta we find Koh
Bida Nok. The depth around here is on average 19-30 meters.
Beautiful dives with fantastic gorgonians, soft corals,
large schools of Moorish idols, well camouflaged scorpion
fish and many different types of lionfish. We nearly always
meet the beautiful leopard sharks here and there is a
chance of meeting the Whale Shark of Manta Rays. As from
2001 there is also a small wreck a fishing boat which
sank of the northern coast of the island.
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Koh
Bida Nai (or Fantasy Rock)
Koh Bida Nai (also known as Fantasy
Rock)
Right next to Koh Bida Nok there is Koh Bida Nai also known
as Fantasy Rock. A few large underwater bolders of the island
makes diving extra interesting. The marine life is basically
the same as that of Koh Bida Nok as are the chances of encountering
the leopardsharks.
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Hin
Daeng
A well known name to most divers interested in diving
in Thailand. Hin Daeng is classed as one of Thailands
best dive sites. Possibly the best. We do not think you
can find
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single dive guide to Thailand which does not rate Hin Daeng
as a five star dive site. Several drop offs connected by
rocks at different depths. The corals and fish are
outstanding, larger and more abundant than
any where else. Barracudas, tuna, rainbow
runners, grey reefshark (seldom encountered anywhere else)
etc etc. Many of the published dive guides tell you that
Hin Daeng is a sure place to see Whale Shark and Manta Ray.
This is not true, there are |
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no
such places but with a bit of luck you may well se them
here. On the other hand with a bit of luck you may well
come across them any where around Koh Lanta.
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Hin
Mouang
Hin Mouang is situated only 500 meteres
from Hin Daeng. Another five star dive site. Not the first
dive you do after the open water course but after a few
more dives this place is a must. Under the surface there
are 5 ”legs” the most shallow of which starts at 8 metres.
We do not go to the bottom here as here we have some of
the deepest drop offs in Thailand stretching down to over
70 metres.
King
Cruiser Wreck
This wreck could tell a strange tale. Not that long as
the car ferry sank as late as in 1997. Year after year
King Cruiser ferried
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from Phuket to the Phi Phi islands. The same route each
day, then on the very last day before the ferry was due
to retire the captain “made a mistake” when |
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and run right up onto Anemone Reef. King Cruiser sank to
the bottom and is now a perfect dive site neatly
parked between 20 and 30 metres under the surface!
All passengers and crew were saved in the “accident”. Given
the right education and experience the King Cruiser is a
very interesting dive. If you are tired of the actual wreck
(if this is possible?) the marine life is already abundant.
The problem with King Cruiser |
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it
that the wreck is so interesting there are sometimes more
“passengers” on the ferry today than during it’s heyday
on the surface! We have a three hour trip to King Cruiser
from Koh Lanta, one of the reasons for us not to go here
as often as to our other dive sites.
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Koh
Rok
A dive site which is also an extremely popular spot for
snorkelling. An abundant marine life and shallow depths
make the colours very clear. A sweet water (!) stream
has coloured the cliffs red from the high content of iron.
Sometimes Koh Rook is part of our two day live aboards
when we do the night dives here. For diving day trips
Koh Rook is not too good but for snorkelling there are
not many better places around Koh Lanta.
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Koh
Kraden Wreck
A little bit off from the other dive sites and a site we
visit occasionally. This Japanese destroyer sank in 1944
during an air raid. The wreck which is split in two is situated
about 25 metres below the surface. Usually there are strong
thermo clines which considerably reduce visibility from
about 20 metres. A reason many divers choose other dive
sites around the islands.
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Koh
Muk
Not a particularly good dive site but a very popular spot
for snorkelling. Average depth 5 metres and you can not
go any deeper than 10 metres no matter how hard you try.
A 60 metre long tunnel wind it’s way through the rock and
ends up in a fantastic lagoon surrounded by tropical forest
and a wonderful sandy beach. A very special place,s however,
avoid Koh Muk during the large Thai holidays as this place
gets invaded and turns into a rather hysterical place. If
you still choose to come here during these holidays make
sure you bring a camera as the endless “chains” of fully
dressed snorkelling (including shoes and handbags!) Thais
are quite a sight! |
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