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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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