Thailand Dive Sites
Koh Pha ngan
Thailand Dive Sites:
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Koh Pha gnan is the hangout for backpackers who have moved on from Koh Samui now that it has succumbed to mass tourism. As developers look for the next island to exploit, more Phangnan land is being bought up and more fancy resorts are popping up. For now though it is still a travellers hang out more famous for it's full moon parties on the beach than for it's scuba diving.
From Pha gnan island divers can access the southern Koh Tao dive sites and Sail Rock. They can also access the Ang Thong Marine National Park. Diving facilities and boats tend to be more basic on Koh Phangnan. Boats are converted Thai fishing boats are are slow. Cheap dive courses are available on the island. Most people dop not book in advance but just turn up, diving is a very chilled out affair here.
Marine life is ok but nothing spectacular and divers are unlikely to see larger pelagics here. Turtles are occasionally seen as are small black tip reef sharks. One advantage of Koh Phangnan dive sites is that they are a lot less crowded with divers than Koh Tao.
Koh Pha gnan Dive Sites
Koh Ma: A small islet just of the north west coast of Koh Phangnan, this is a boulder and reef dive site that drops down to 30m. Visibility varies from 5-20m, currents are weak. This is the best Phangnan dive site with many small schools of fish and some healthy hard corals including brain corals.
Koh Tae Nok: An island off the west coast of Koh Phangnan. The northern bay has a small fringing reef that descends down to 25m. 
This is a colourful dive site when the visibility is ok with barrel sponges, gorgonian seafans and feather stars mixed in with boulders and hard corals. Parrotfish, pufferfish, wrasse and snapper are seen. Blacktips are also spotted sometimes. Currents are mild.
Haad Yuan: A dive site around the headland north of Haad Rin beach which is very convenient for local dive centres and is therefore often used for training dives. Visibility is normally low and currents weak. Maximum depth is 12m. Boulder formations break up patches of hard and soft coral. Nudibranchs are numerous as are many species of reef fish. This is also a good snorkelling site.
Koh Kon Rin: This is another convenient dive site just 5 minutes boat ride from Haad Rin beach on the south east tip of the island. Currents can be strong on this boulder dive site. Blacktip reef sharks are sometimes spotted here. Moray eels can be found in the rocks.