| Khao Lak diving
is now becoming a favorite for divers because
the Similan Islands are located directly across the Andaman
Sea and within easy reach of Khao Lak. The dive operators in
Khao Lak offer speedboat trips and can get you to the Similans
in about an hour and twenty minutes. This offers the convenience
of getting to and from excellentdive sites without having to
go on a liveaboard.
Always
dive according to your level of training. Check with your dive
center for safety, additional information and level required
for each dive site before entering the water.
You
can dive in Khao Lak from October to May, but
the best diving conditions exist from November to April.
The
Khao Lak reef has moderate currents and the surface
conditions can be rough at times.
The water temperature varies from 26-30°C
(79-86°F) and the visibility ranges between 2-15 metres
(7-49 feet).
Some
Khao Lak dive sites:
For
wreck lovers there is the Boonsung Wreck, a
60 meter (197 feet) marine tin ore processing vessel which sank
in 1984 and rests at 20 metres (65 feet). Around it is a lot
of marine life and soft coral. There wreck is hard to spot due
to the density of fish hovering over it.
Some species of fish present here include yellow
snapper, trevally, barracuda and batfish.
On the wreck itself you can spot lionfish,
many types of moray eel scorpionfish and one
some occasions a large marble stingray has been spotted under
the wreck. This site can be accessed by speed boat from Khao
Lak
Ideally
situated off the coast of Khao Lak the Similans, a protected
national park provide some of the best diving in Thailand. The
diving is mostly done from liveaboards or day
trips from Khao Lak. There are nine granite islands covered
in thick tropical jungle, surrounded by white sandbeaches and
surrounded with crystal waters.
The Similans offer a diverse landscape of deep canyons,
giant boulders, coral gardens, caves and walls under
the surface.
Considering
that Koh Bon is only 40 kilometres north of
Similan Island number 9 it is surprising how different the rock
and reef composition is here. It is one of the few true wall
dives in the Kingdom, the vertical rock dropping down to around
34 metres (115 feet) with coral ridges going even deeper. Although
the soft coral isn't as abundant as the in The Similans you
will notice different shades of blue, turquoise and yellow here.
Koh Bon is one of the best places to spot manta
rays, usually in the months of April and May. An exposed
pinnacle lies to the west of Koh Bon, this also attracts big
current feeders.
Boats usually moor up in the secluded bay where an arch through
the island can be used for navigation. Look out for navigationand
small critters hiding in the crevaces of the wall on the dive.
Mantas can be found feeding or visiting the cleaning station
here at the right time of the year. Also be aware of strong
currents and down surge as the waves hit the wall face.
Koh
Tachai is situated about twenty five kilometres north
of Koh Bon. This site is an underwater plateau with abundant
marine life and coral. You may also spot manta rays,
nurse and leopard sharks and hawksbill turtles. It
is said that Whale sharks visit around April
- May.The currents and surge can be strong on the south eastern
side of the island, where most of the diving is done.
Koh
Tachai Pinnacle is comprised of two submerged pinnacles
dropping to about 35 metres (118 feet) There are lots of rocks
that form swim throughs that harbour marine life. Also common
here are large scools of fish and manta
rays. Divers must be cautious about currents which
can be pretty strong here.
Richelieu
Rock is a first class dive site with abundant marine
life among which are octopus, cuttlefish, yellow boxfish,
morays, cleaner and mantis shrimps. Richelieu
Rock is reputed to be the best place in Thailand to see whale
sharks mainly from March - May. Large schools
of snappers trevally and jacks can be spotted here
as well.
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