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CHUMPHON
PINNACLE
Northwest
of Koh Tao, Chumphon pinnacle is widely regarded as the
Gulf's premier dive site. The site itself is comprises of
one huge main granite pinnacle and a series of smaller pinnacles
rising from the bottom at 36m to within 14m of the surface.
On
the main part of the site divers can expect to encounter
Batfish, Trevally, large Groupers, as well as huge shoals
of Fusiliers and Rabbit fish. Less common, but still available
to see, are the Spanish Mackerel, and some Paddlefin Trigger
fish.
For
those with keen eyes it is also possible to see Scorpionfish
lazing on the rocks.
Chumphon
pinnacle also plays host to seasonal visits by Whale Sharks
and their attendant Cobias and Remoras, plus the occasional
Manta. A memorable experience for every diver!
SOUTH
WEST PINNACLE
South-west of Koh Tao, this site is also widely acclaimed
as another of the Gulf's premier diving destinations, with
depths ranging from 30m upwards.
The
series of seven pinnacles form an underwater mountain range,
with the largest peak rising to within 5m of the surface.
Like Chumphon, this site features a carpet of anemones on
the upper levels with an abundance of whip corals and large
sea fans arrayed along the lower edges of the site.
Impressive
Barracuda over a meter in length can be seen patiently waiting
whilst tiny Cleaning Wrasse perform their underwater valet
service. To the south-east of the main site lies a smaller
pinnacle, which is home to two resident, if somewhat shy
Leopard sharks.
SHARK
ISLAND
One of the most varied dive sites around Koh Tao in
terms of marine life, Shark Island is one place that you'll
definitely wish to return to.
Located
300m southeast of Koh Tao this small, uninhabited, granite
peak rises clear of the water from a sandy bottom at 20m.
Divers
can enjoy an enormous variety of hard, encrusting corals
and a similar variety of sea fans and whip corals.
The
renowned "fish junction" off the northern end of the dive
site provides excellent photographic opportunities.
Shark
Island occasionally plays host to visiting Reef and Leopard
sharks. The more usual residents include Blue Spotted Rays,
Scribbled Filefish, Starry Pufferfish, and Titan Triggerfish
that sometimes like nibbling the fins of visiting divers
who get a little too close to their nesting sites!
WHITE
ROCK
White Rock boasts a large coral garden situated between
two distinct granite pinnacles to the north and south sides
of the site, and a vast array of both daytime and nocturnal
inhabitants. With a depth range of 26m to 5m, and an average
depth of 12m, White Rock is suited to everybody's experience
levels.
White
Eye Morays and Blue Spotted Rays are commonly sighted, as
is one of Koh Tao's legends, "Trevor" the Triggerfish who
has been the boss of White Rock for many years.
Several
species of Barracuda routinely visit here and it is particularly
impressive to see them hunting on night dives, when they
will actually follow divers using the torch beams to spot
their dinner.
Night
dives also unveil many different kinds of Feather Stars,
hunting Cone Shells and feeding Stingrays, in addition to
sleeping Parrot fish and Rabbit fish!
GREEN
ROCK
One of the outlying dive sites to the north of Koh Nang
Yuan island; Green Rock has its own special attractions
for divers in the form of many varied swim throughs and
the lunar like landscape created by nesting Yellow Margin
Triggerfish.
With
a depth range of 3m to 30m most divers will find this site
within their capabilities. The insides of the caverns and
the undersides of outcroppings are home to many brightly
colored soft corals and sponges, while the outer parts of
the site play host to shoals of electric Blue Damsel fish,
Tube Anemones with tiny translucent shrimps (for those with
keen eyesight) Emperors, Angel fish and the occasional Turtle.
KOH
NANG YUAN - "TWINS"
Nestled in a bay between the three islands of Koh Nang Yuan,
the "Twins" consists of two main pinnacles plus
a smaller, deeper "little brother".
A
perfect site for both training activities, and a leisurely
fun dive, the pinnacles range in depth from 5m to 18m, and
are surrounded by soft white sand dotted with the unusual
symbiotic relationships of Goby fish and their blind-shrimp
housemates.
Twins
offers divers the chance to see the larger groupers normally
only spotted at depth on the more remote dive sites. Blue-Ringed
angelfish and the striking yellow Raccoon Butterfly fish
are abundant, along with a host of varied Parrotfish and
wrasse. Combined with green, blue, and red anemones this
is one of the islands most colorful dive sites.
Venture
south a short distance across the sand to encounter "Mork"
and "Mindy", a friendly pair of the uncommon Saddleback
Clownfish, then back to the East pinnacle for the best safety
stop on the island with a school of around 500 curious,
small Yellowtail Barracuda.
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