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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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