Shark Island (Red Rock)
.jpg) Located just on the South coast of Koh Tao this twin rock outcrop consists of a steeply slopping reef going from 4 meters down to 20 meters. One of the biggest attractions of this dive is the variety of corals and fish life to be found. On the East side of the rock you will find a slopping reef covered in brain corals, vivid pink anemones and large barrel sponges, among the corals you will see snappers, banded angel fish and blue spotted stingrays. Whale Sharks are frequently sighted in season along with the odd Turtle and there is also the chance of seeing a few Black tip reef sharks. This site is also ideal for novice and experienced divers and offers great snorkelling. |
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White Rock
This dive explores two submerged pinnacles which are only two meters above the surface but extend between 18-22 meters underwater. Schools of butterfly fish and angel fish predominate and colonies of staghorn corals attract breams and damsels to make their homes here. On any given dive look out for the more exciting sightings of sea snakes, turtles, morays and blue spotted stingrays. An interesting and equally exciting part of your dive will hopefully be an encounter with White Rock's resident titan trigger fish -- territorial by nature and supremely erratic.
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Green Rock
.jpg) Green Rock provides a good selection of swim-through opportunities in depths of 4-25 meters. The rock consists of large archways, caverns, caves and crevices. Common sightings include harlequin sweetlips, blue-ringed angelfish and moray eels. Sometimes you can spot whitetip reef sharks, and further out in deeper water, large groupers, schools of yellowtail, fusilier and silver fish.
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Hin Wong Pinnacle
Located east of Koh Tao, Hin Wong is a large and varied site, with depths ranging from 10-30 meters. Unfortunately, the only shortcoming of the site is the unpredictable water visibility, which cannot be assured at all times. Nevertheless, the site abounds with delicate sea fans and spiraling wire coral and is home to many types of fish including groupers, filefish, snapper, etc. If you are lucky and keep your distance, you may even see sea turtles feeding off the rich variety of food the reef has to offer.
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Chumphon Pinnacle
.jpg) Considered one of the more challenging dive sites with occasionally strong currents and depths of 10-35 meters, this site consists of fascinating submerged pinnacles. The highest of these rocks is approximately 16 meters below the surface.
At Chumporn Pinnacles , you can swim with man-sized groupers, Whalelshark, Graysharks, Blacktip and Bullsharks, including schools of barracuda, tuna and mackerel
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Southwest Pinnacle
The Southwest Pinnacles consist of three rock formations which range from 4-30 meters below the surface, representing a series of short wall dives. At the top of the pinnacles are blankets of underwater plant life in a stunning array of rainbow colors. Between the rocks are many bushy black coral sea whips and gorgonian sea fans. Leopard sharks are often encountered and it is even possible to meet an occasional whale shark. Giant groupers are common here, as are scribbled filefish, masked porcupine fish, yellowtail, barracuda and snapper.
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Sail Rock
.jpg) North of Samui between the islands of Koh Tao and Phangan is the internationally renowned dive site of Sail Rock. Although only 15 meters above the water, the structure extends 40 meters below the surface. The main attraction of Sail Rock is a naturally formed 15-meter high underwater dive wall or chimney. Divers can ascend from 18 meters up the chimney wall to the surface, making this a unique diving experience.
Visibility is usually excellent at around 30 meters. The structure itself is pocked with small holes which are ideal homes for white-eyed and yellow margin moray eels, as well as large sea anemones. Sightings of reef sharks and manta rays are also common, as are large schools of tuna, jacks, trevally and barracudas. During the winter months whale sharks can be seen on occasion.
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