Dive sites
Ao Nang Local Islands
Choose from a selection of 8 local dive sites only
approx 20 to 30 mins away from Ao Nang. The range of diving here is
suited to beginners as depths generally do not exceed 18m. The sites
have a number of pinnacles and swim-throughs which are home to a large
variety of marine life.
Koh Ma Tang Ming
Location: Immediately north of Koh Pobah Nai.
Depth: Average 6m / Maximum 14m
Although this is not one of the area’s better sites, it merits
a mention as it has reasonable diversities of both marine life and hard
corals making it a rewarding introductary dive to the area. Close inspection
of the submerged rocks is recommended, as numerous members of the scorpaenidae
family-such as bearded scorpionfish and stonefish – are concealed
on the rock ledges. Small yellow boxfish, rock basslets, Moorish idols
and bannerfish add colour, as do trees of soft corals. Hard corals are
represented by staghorn, brain and some small boulders of coral porites.
The best area for snorkellers is around the eastern side where, close
to the rock, there are many sea whips, large plate corals and associated
reef inhabitants.
Koh Podah Nai
Location: The Largest of the offshore islands and islets, just
over 6km south
of Ao Nang beach.
Depth: Average 5m / Maximum 12m
The northern beach of Koh Podah Nai slopes gently down to an extensive
reef-flat, which continues outwards for a further 50m before it reaches
an almost sheer slope which drops to 12m. At high tide the corals are
covered with only 2m of water or less; at lower tides many coral heads
actually break the surface. These conditions render the particular area
suitable only for snorkeling. Better corals and marine life are found
a little way out. The reef consists mainly of small clusters of staghorn,
cauliflower and a number of leaf and plate corals. There are many narrow
crevices and ledges that cut into the rocky walls of the island itself,
these are well worth investigating as tigertail seahorses often conceal
themselves within.
Koh Podah Nok (Chicken Island)
Location: 500m due south of Koh Podah Nai
Depth: Average 1m / Maximum 4m
This site is immensely popular for snorkelling, and as the maximum depth
dictates, not really a suitable dive site. The marine life around this
picturesque islet in more prolific round the eastern shore, particularly
off the beach.
The seascape is liberally punctuated with rocky boulder
and coral laminates with lots of small colourful reef-fish, reasonably
sized giant clams and a wealth of small invertebrates. It is best to swim
from the beach itself as there are also many black-spined sea urchins.
Koh Mae Urai
Location: 1Km southwest of Koh Podah Nai
Depth: Average 9m / Maximum 16m
This rocky outcrop features two underwater tunnels. As you pass through
the easternmost tunnel its exit acts as a natural frame for glorious
sofl corals in white and shades of pink, blue, orange and yellow. Beyond this
coral garden, the sea-bed tapers gradually down past shelves of rocks
crowned with colourful featherstars and orange Encrusting sponges. Magnificent
sea anemones host a variety of anemonefish.
Hin Bai Rhlua
Location: 500m southeast of Koh Mae Urai.
Depth: Average 9m / Maximum 16m
One of the local favourites. The southern side of the main outcrop is
the deepest section of the dive. The water gradually gets shallower as it
heads north. Here it is home chiefly to terraces of foliaceous corals.
Below these are many small boulders of lesser and greater
star corals with the familiar punctuation of plume worms and sea whips.
There is a narrow gorge in the northern apex of this site. Along its
floor parrotfish peck away at hard corals and black-banded sea kraits
weave in and out of the nooks and crannies along its walls. Some sections
of this site are relatively shallow, and are suitable for snorkellers
to enjoy.
Koh Ya Wa San
Location: About 2km west of Podah Nok.
Depth: Average 9m / Maximum 17m
The reef-slope off the southern outcrop climbs over many rocks, which
provide the main structure of the site. Juvenile black-tip reef and
grey nurse sharks often rest among the rocks, with leopard sharks out
on the sand.
Koh Kom
Location: Outcrop to the southerneast of Podah Nok.
Depth: Average 12m / Maximum 20m
The seascape around the western side of the outcrop features numerous
terraced shelves which drop down to an area of large rocks. The gaps
between the rocks act as shelters for a selection of medium-sized vertebrates
including large dog-faced pufferfish and groupers. Moorish idols and
schooling bannerfish patrol among many sea whips and bushy black corals.
There is also a small cave, the shallower exit of which leads to an
elevated rocky plateau which is densely carpeted with magnificent sea anemones; which are
themselves occupied by collection of saddleback and tomato anemonefish.
Koh Ya Wa Bon
Location: to the west of Koh Podah Nok.
Depth: Average 12m / Maximum 20m
In the north of this site an impressive archway cuts through the face
of the rock for about 10m; there are two entrances at 6m and 12m. This
is a good swim-through, although only wide enough for one diver at time.
The site’s northern area gradually slopes down over coral laminates
interspersed with sea anemones (with a variety of tenants) and rocks.
Away from the reef are three large submerged boulders,
whose southern faces are carpeted in anemones; their many crevices act
as homes and lairs to a variety of invertebrates, including banded,
boxing and hinge shrimps. This is also a good location for spotting
juvenile snowflake morays and black-banded sea kraits as they meander
in and out of the rocks.
Koh See
Location: Three outcrop south of Koh Ya Wa Sam.
Depth: Average 6m / Maximum 16m
There is a tremendous diversity of corals and marine life here. Off
the eastern face you find a wall. To the west this gradually declines
into a close formation of large rocks. Back along the reef-slope itself,
at a steady depth of 11m, a ribbon-like effect is created by a series
of brain corals which have anchored themselves into the limestone.
The coral assortment changes towards the western section of the site where the familiar hard species are replaced by bubble
corals and zoanthids. These continue back to the western apex, which
is highlighted by a spectacular shelved slope of leaf corals. There
is a fair representation of reef fish around Koh See, including titan
and yellow-margined triggerfish, Moorish idols, dog-faced pufferfish,
lunar wrasse and harlequin sweetlips.
Suitability: All levels of diver
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