As more and more people come to Koh Chang we find that not only are more people taking up jungle trekking but they are also diving, Granted that the dive sites of Koh Chang are usually not advertised as much after diving in the Similian Islands and Ko Tao, but that has been a great thing for Koh Chang – think of the phrase “over-diving”: that has not happened here yet!
So Koh Chang can offer a wealth of scuba dive sites and adventure that is unmatched. And you won’t be jockeying for position on the waves like a traffic jam in London at rush hour!
More information and details are best had by dropping into one of the local dive shops and asking the pros about diving here on Koh Chang, they know way, way more than we do here… and most of them are very passionate about the whole underwater world around here! This is just a quick guide to get you going!
When To Go: The best times to dive are between October to May with usually calm seas and great visibility for diving. During the Green Season there can be great days also, but it can be a bit of a chance…
Forget About The Wrecks of WW2: The Chanburi and other ships went down in the Battle of Koh Chang and some dive guides say that there is diving on them – no there is not. Unless your idea of diving is being totally blinded and tapping on steel. They are covered in slit and the area is not clear at all… If you insist there a couple of companies that will go there but you will have to understand that it is not worth it.
Koh Chang Dive Sites Worth Seeing:
Hin Tai Nam:
Down to a depth of about 15m with good visibility the area has an impressive rock formation called Blueberry Hill by the local divers. Lots of fish including stingrays and eels.
Down to a depth of about 20m this area is not coral encrusted but has lots and lots of rocks, table corals, Elephant ear corals, pufferfish, giant clams, sponges, lots of shrimps and lobsters and fans.
Koh Yak, and Koh Laun:
Ko Laun and Ko Yak are a pair of islands surrounded by wonderful corals with a depth of about 12m with good visibility. Lots of butterfly fish, mushroom corals, giant groupers and giant clams make it a good site.
Koh Tong Lang:
Lots of small rock formations makes for an interesting dive here.
Hin Kuak Ma:
Called Tree Finger Rock by locals, and very popular, this huge rock wall is populated by seven banded angelfish, puffer fish, eels, stonefish, Moorish idols, parrotfish, stingrays and the rare nurse sharks with the odd turtle. Depth of about 20m
Hin Ga Daeng:
Located by Ko Rung this huge spire draws a lot of fish to it almost at all times, despite a strong current at times. Recommended for underwater photography due to the great visibility and amount of underwater life.
Hin Rap:
About 20-30 minutes south of Bang Bao (the main jump off point for dives), is a huge group of rocks that have turtles, porcupine fish, and close by is a coral canyon that is rich with angelfish, triggerfish and anemone. Max depth is about 18m with excellent visibility.
Hin Luk Bath:
This is the most popular site due to the vast numbers of fish from Butterfly fish, clown triggerfish, mushroom corals, giant clams, parrot fish, snappers, moray eels, parrotfish and even barracuda. Hin Luk Bath is a huge spire surrounded by boulders which divers can swim through even, all covered with a lot of Christmas Tree worms. Great visibility down and about 25m down.
Koh Tien:
One side of the island has been destroyed by boats over-anchoring and sadly by explosive fishing (throw a stick of dynamite in and catch stunned fish!), but the other side has been largely untouched. this allows a diver to see how coral can recover and is recovering… an interesting dive with being able to see how sea-life can and will recover.
There are quite a few good companies on the island offering courses from fun dives to full PADI Scuba Certification and everything in between, also you can find all the equipment you would need at several shops also that carry everything from scuba tanks, respirators, fins and even cameras. So you really don’t have to bring too much with you!
