WET AND WONDERFUL ON KO LANTA

  

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Diving and Snorkeling, Andaman Sites of Wonder, Kayaking and Canoeing

 

Diving
 The Andaman coast has two of the oldest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet – the coral reefs and the Southeast Asia rainforests – co-existing together.  Much of the marine life located here is at the extreme northern or southern end of its’ geographical range, thus creating a huge variety in the underwater world.  The transparent waters offer Grade A visibility and stand head and shoulders above the very best sites located on Thailand’s eastern coastline.

Ko Lanta now boasts a variety of dive companies vying for your custom.  Prices vary little however, and equipment, meals, and a shuttle service to and from your accommodation are usually included.  Full-day dive trips leave the island around 8am and return before 6pm.  Many sites offer excellent snorkeling and non-diving participation is encouraged, with snorkellers welcome to join at reduced rates. 

Whilst diving on Ko Lanta is not entirely seasonal, it is, as anywhere, weather dependant.  During the green season, tropical monsoon winds can bring higher waves, with large amounts of plankton washed up into the ocean.  When this is the case, both fishing and diving are suspended whilst sea life regenerates. 

Snorkelling
 If scuba diving is not for you, Ko Lanta offers a range of day trips for snorkelers, visiting some dramatic, remote islands with spectacular, shallow coral reefs.  These trips typically include a relaxed lunch and time enough to enjoy the amazing beaches.

 

Kayaking & Canoeing
All along Ko Lanta’s 30 kilometre eastern coastline grow lush, rich mangrove forests, creating interesting effects in the landscape. Take a kayak or canoe and explore tiny islands with limestone cliffs over 100 metres high; discover caves formerly used by pirates, and paddle about in them.

Mother Nature has provided an excellent route by water through the rainforests in the area known as Talabeng.  Various small mammals, such as monkeys and squirrels, can be spotted along the way, as well as a wide variety of birds and fish.  Ko Bu Bu, a tiny island located to the east of Lanta, is just a few minutes further.  An extremely tranquil, private area, it has superb swimming conditions and is well worth a visit.

Andaman Sites of Wonder

Hin Daeng (Red Rock)
40 nautical miles south of Ko Lanta lies one of the most fantastic dive sites in all of Thailand. Just breaking the surface of the sea, world-famous Hin Daeng is a huge site with depths down to well below normal recreational limits. The southwest side drops to below 60 metres, creating a steep wall of soft corals - leopard sharks are often seen in this area, as well as whale sharks and manta rays.  The east side has the best soft coral growth, with two ridges that slope gently into deep water.  Pelagic fish such as jacks gather close to the rocks, and in shallower areas, moray eels are commonly found hiding in cracks in the rock face.  Hin Daeng is also good for smaller sea-creatures such as nudi-branches, cowries shells and various species of shrimps.

Hin Muang (Purple Rock)
A few hundred metres from Hin Daeng, with its’ top at a depth of 8-9 metres and its’ bottom at 60-70 metres, is the long rocky ridge site of Hin Muang.  It does actually connect with Hin Daeng, but the depth prohibits a dive between the two.  Currents can sweep quite strongly over the ridge, but divers can always stay on the sheltered side.   The surface of Hin Muang is covered in soft, purple corals and anemones, with swarms of tiny silversides swimming here constantly under attack from predators such as jacks and trevallies.  Leopard sharks are a common sight here, and whale sharks have been sighted too.  Even without the thrill of seeing a ‘big’ fish, Hin Muang is quite simply stunning.

Ko Ha (Five Islands)
 Ko Ha lies between Ko Phi Phi and Hin Daeng, closer to Ko Lanta, and is made up of 5 small islands.  There is only one small beach on these islands, but the site itself is ideal for snorkeling as well as diving.
The best dive possibilities are on Ko Ha Yai, where two enormous caverns are situated, their entrances at a 10-14 metre depth.  A dive is best started from the reef to the west of the caves, where there are some nice coral heads and fields of sea whips going down to a depth of 20-25 metres.  The caverns themselves though, are without doubt the highlight.  Divers can surface inside to see large stalactites hanging overhead, and the light here makes for great photographs.  At the back of the east cave, is a small hole leading to a tunnel some 25 metres long, which ends in a chamber.  Only those with appropriate training and equipment, and the relevant experience, should attempt this dive.

Ko Bida
 Comprised of 2 small limestone islands, Ko Bida Nok and Ko Bida Nai are set off to the west of Ko Lanta en route to Ko Phi Phi.  Suitable for all levels of divers, the site ranges from 8-28metres depth, and offers both colourful hard and soft corals where moray eel, scorpion fish and leopard sharks reside.  A more shallow section houses a sea anemone garden.

Hin Bida
Hin Bida has been named Shark Point for obvious reasons, and the leopard shark is undoubtedly its’ star.  Located a few kilometres from Ko Bida, and with a depth of between 18-22 metres at low tide, this site is surrounded by boulders and stag horn corals.  Large stingrays can also often be found here.

Hin Jom
This unique dive site is a huge limestone pinnacle that soars up from the ocean floor for 30 metres to sit just 4 metres below the surface.  This site is situated less than a mile north of Shark Point and is well known as a shipping hazard.  It’s famous for its’ vast fields of sea anemones that cling to every conceivable surface, swinging and swaying in the ocean current.
Huge schools of tropical fish, snapper, grouper, clown fish, tuna, barracuda and the occasional leopard shark are drawn here by the vast array of anemones and the nutrient-rich waters.

King Cruiser Wreck
In 1997, the 85 metre-long passenger ferry King Cruiser strayed several kilometres off course whilst on a routine journey to Ko Phi Phi, and made history by hitting the Anemone Reef.
After suffering severe hull damage, the ship went down in less than an hour; providing the local diving community with an artificial reef. At a depth of 15 metres, divers can discover the captains’ cabin and wheelhouse; at 18 metres, the passenger section with bulkheads, bar and furniture, and at 25 metres sits the engine room and car deck.  The wreck teems with marine life, and the rapid growth of its’ population is in no small way due to it’s proximity to Shark Point and Anemone Reef.

Ko Rok
 Ko Rok is a fantastic snorkeling spot with clear, deep waters boasting 30 metre visibility.  With a square mile of coral reef just off shore, it’s no exaggeration to call this a real paradise on earth.  The twin islands of Ko Rok Nok and Ko Rok Nai have both remained apparently undisturbed by the outside world, and there is plenty to see.  A fresh springwater fall drops sharply down a 200 metre cliff, directly into the blue sea below.  With a forest of banyan trees over 1000 years old, large monitor lizards and a haven for huge hermit crabs, this area is truly unique.

Ko Mook and Ko Waen
 These 2 tiny, limestone islands at the south of Ko Lanta are also suitable for snorkelling, although they bear occasional strong tides.  Around the cliffs however, is a reef with plenty of both soft and hard corals, large schools of fish, and other sea life.  Ko Mook itself also boasts the well-known Emerald Cave, and a chance to swim through velvety darkness into another world altogether.

         

© Jessica Davies 2007 © GayLanta.net 2007