Thailand Scuba Diving Dive Site Directory

Description

	8 Mile Rock is a submerged pinnacle roughly 8 miles due south of Koh Lipe.  Occasionally, both manta and eagle rays have been seen, as well as leopard sharks, giant barracuda and groupers.  Sightings of whale sharks in the Lipe region have predominantly come from 8 Mile Rock.
The top of the rock is reached at a depth of about 15m, with its deepest part touching the ocean bed at about 50m.  It is densely covered in purple, red and blue soft tree-coral, and it boasts a diverse abundance of tropical reef fish species.  Visibility can be up to 45m vertically, and over 30m horizontally (depending on tide and current conditions).

Caution must be taken when diving 8 Mile Rock due to strong currents that may even lead to dive cancellations.  Also, getting to the site can be uncomfortable, as it’s a long journey and the sea is often choppy.

Watching out for the Reef: Coral Conservation Guide for Divers

• Avoid touching live corals. You can kill them with your bare hands.
• Keep your gauge and octopus hoses close to yourself and prevent them damaging the reef.
• Secure your weight belt. Dropping of the weights can destroy the reef.
• Refrain from chasing or touching animals, especially manta rays and whale sharks.
•Maintain a comfortable distant and enjoy
watching them!

Many divers unintentionally destroy corals whilst diving. Here are a few guidelines on how to avoid doing so.

• Use the correct amount of weight to aid in your buoyancy.
• Control your fins; keep them away from the reefs and avoid kicking sand onto the corals.
• Do not pick up organic objects (dead or alive) from the sea. Likewise, please do not buy shells or other decorative products made from sea animals.
• Do not stand or rest on the stone-like corals. After all, they are living animals.

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