KOH LUAM

Location: Around the southern headland of Koh Phai, the northernmost of the Far Island chain.

Access: Just under 2hr by boat from Pattaya Beach . The site is unbuoyed.

Conditions : Southerly winds increase visibility from the customary 5m (16ft) to 10m (33ft). The currents around this sheltered end of the island will also be weaker at this time. These conditions allow snorkeling.

Average depth: 10m (33ft)

Maximum depth: 18m (60ft)

The lower reef-slope is highlighted by many soft coral; these are neither as radiant nor as large as they could be, having been restricted by excessive siltation in the water , although much of the silt is redistributed by the currents present during northerly winds and spring tides.

The reef is fairly typical of the area. It is frequently punctuated by sponge-encrusted rocks and large mounds of lesser and greater star corals, occasionally split by clusters of smaller, less hardy corals. The hard corals tend to dominate the shallower water: coral laminates form terraces that descend to deeper-water areas where long, spiraling sea whips are embedded among larger rocks.

The marine life is fair. Familiar reef inhabitants parrotfish, wrasse and puffer fish – are always present. Away from the reef, juvenile snappers, jacks and fusiliers repeatedly pass by.

HIN KHAO (Koh Rin north rock)

Location: A small rocky outcrop 8km (4 n. miles) south of Koh Man Wichai. The dive circumnavigates the outcrop.

Access: Just under 2hr by boat from Pattaya Beach .

Conditions: Strong currents some times restrict this site to experienced divers only, visibility 5m (16ft) and 15m (50ft).

Average depth: 9m (30ft)

Maximum depth: 15m (60ft)

This is one of the area's better sites. The corals, mainly patch corals, being subject to strong currents from both directions, the south tip has large rocks and a sandy bottom. Along the east shore the plate corals drop steeply then bottom out at around 10m (33ft) then small boulders are scatter over the sea bed, covered in whip corals, soft corals aluminate the sea floor. Often you will find small gray bamboo sharks resting under the large rocks. The northern edge has varied corals over the reef edge with sandy bottom, look under the larger coral heads as there are many morals. Although there is a small shallow reef of coral laminates. In deeper waters, away from the rocks, there are a few areas of sea whips, to which cling feather stars; below these, in the rubble, are colorful nudibranchs. Reasonable sightings of pelagic – Barracuda, jacks, trivializes and the occasional school of tuna – are fairly regular, so the site is not entirely without attractions.

KOH RIN
Location: Starting at the southern end of the bay on the southeast coast of Koh Rin – the large islet at the bottom of the Far Island chain, about 1 km ( ½ n.mile) southwest of Hin Khao – and continuing southwards

Access: Just about 2hr by boat from Pattaya Beach .

Conditions: between November and March this site has very favorable conditions, when a year-round visibility of 5m (16ft) increases to 15m (50ft) and when very mild currents can be expected. During northerly winds the sheltered bay is calm enough to snorkel in.

Average depth: 7m (23ft)

Maximum depth: 14m (46ft)

A steadily sloping reef falls more dramatically as it heads south; it consists of fallen rocks covered with a few foliaceous corals. However, it does improve as it steepens towards the south western headland, and a higher percentage of corals slowly begin to dominate the rocks to a depth of 12m (40ft), where you find sea whips and black coral bushes. The diversity of marine life around the reef is above average for the area, with many examples of Harlequin Sweet lips, snappers squirrelfish and lion fish. Communities of Magnificent Anemones, Three-spot Dascyllus, basslets and chromis are restricted to the rocky ledges. Neptune Barrel Sponges lodge among the crevices or are inhabited by moray eels and a range of invertebrates.

The shallow bay is absolutely perfect for snorkeling, many coral mounds that are heavily pitted by bivalves and plume worms, with, between the mounds, Black Sea Urchins and small cowries shells.

HIN TON MAI (Koh Rin south rock)
Location: Around the southern perimeter of low-lying rocky outcrops at the extreme south of the Far Island chain, about 1km ( ½ n. mile) south of Koh Rin.

Access: About 2 hr. by boat from Pattaya Beach . There is one mooring buoy.

Conditions: During northerly winds this site is quite suitable for novice divers. Southerly winds, however,can make it suitable for experienced divers only due to larger waves. Visibility ranges between 5m (16ft) and 15m (50ft).

Average depth: 10m (33ft)

Maximum depth: 18m (60ft)

You enter the water and follow the mooring line. The coral formations are in two major categories: fringing reef and patch. The section of reef around the entry point is fairly barren, but as you go south the seascape changes into a more coral-rich, undulating terrain. Soft corals are plentiful in the shallower waters; Elkhorn and foliaceous corals lay claim to the mid waters, and sea whips, gorgonian sea fans and many bushes of stinging hydroids on dead coral heads are prominent at the base of the reef. There are lots of barrel and encrusting sponges everywhere, the latter having claimed small areas from the corals. Marine life is plentiful and varied.

KOH MAN WICHAI (WEST REEF)
Location: In the Far Island chain, just over 2km (1 n. miles ) south of Koh Klung Baden. The site follows the western coast southward from its midpoint.

Access: About 1hr 40 min by boat from Pattaya Beach . There is no mooring buoy; boat moor 30m (100ft) off the southwest coast.

Conditions: During northerly winds this is a good site for novices. Visibility ranges between 5m (16ft) and 15m (50ft).

Average depth: 7m (23ft)

Maximum depth: 15m (50ft)

Though not one of the area's stronger sites, this is worth an occasional visit when conditions are favorable. A steeply sloping reef consists of corals settled between many fallen rock; most are foliaceous, with a good representation of lettuce, vase and carnation. The shallower portions of the reef-flats have small clusters of staghorn and cauliflower coral corals. Towards the island's southern tip, and here Honeycomb Groupers rest among sponge-encrusted rocks and beside particular areas of Carpet Anemones.

Away from the reef there are the familiar mounds of lesser star corals highlighted by colorful plume worms. Large Red Snappers and schools of Yellowtail Fusiliers are regular visitors.

KOH MAN WICHAI (EAST REEF)
Location: In the Far Island chain, about 2km (1 n. mile) south of Koh Klung Baden. The site begins off the southeastern coast and encompasses the southern headland.

Access: Just over 1hr 40 min by boat from Pattaya Beach . There is no mooring buoy, just off the southeast coast.

Conditions: Visibility ranges between 5m (16ft) and 15m (50ft). Currents are generally weak to moderate.

Average depth: 12m (40ft)

Maximum depth: 15m (50ft)

One of the more enjoyable sites off Pattaya. Descent is directly from the boat, where the sea-bed is littered with numerous clumps and mounds of smooth porite corals. The water at this point is shallow – 4m (13ft) – and ideal for snorkeling. Snorkellers continue their swim towards the island; divers head off south, slightly away from the headland.

Most of the corals are not in the form of fringing reefs, as with most of this area's sites, but in large patches. As you go south for about 30m (100ft), the water deepens; an elongated plateau continues for a further 400m (440yd) in a depth of 13m (43ft), rising to 10m (33ft) – and beyond this are two more of similar size! The plateaux are covered in gardens of sea anemones, plus their abundant symbiotes: Three-spot. Dascyllus and Pink Anemone fish.

KOH KLUNG BADAN (WEST REEF )
Location: In the Far Island chain, about 5km (2.7 n. miles ) south of Koh Hu Chang.

Access: About 1hr 40 MIN by boat from Pattaya Beach . There is no mooring buoy. The dive follows the reef north around the headland. Alternatively, the site can be reached by a short surface swim from the beach.

Conditions: Currents are generally weak to moderate, allowing snorkeling – particularly during northerly winds, when the site is in the lee of the island. On the infrequent occasions when strong currents flow, this is a good site for drift-diving. Visibility averages 5m (16ft).

Average depth: 6m (20ft)

Maximum depth: 12m (40ft)

Entry to the site is in about 4m (13ft) of water. Beneath the boat are numerous mounds and heads of coral, notably staghorn, as well as coral laminates. This is a very good location for snorkeling.

To the northwest the reef becomes a relatively shallow fringing reef whose flat and slope consist mainly of rocks and sponges. Compressed barrel sponges shelter small crustaceans and invertebrates.

The fish life at this site is not abundant, though there are reasonable numbers and varieties of chromis, basset, blenny, gobies and banner fish, plus a few resident Bicolor Parrotfish and wrasse.

KOH KLUNG BADAN (EAST REEF)
Location: In the Far Island chain, about 5km (2.7 n. miles ) south of Koh Hu Chang.

Access: About 1hr 40 min by boat from Pattaya Beach . As the southern site (Site 5 ), there is no mooring buoy.

Conditions: The conditions are similar to those off the west coast.

Average depth: 8m (26ft)

Maximum depth: 18m (60ft)

The small way midway along the eastern coast is shallow – about 5m (20ft )- and suitable for snorkeling. The water gets deeper towards the southern headland. Two large coral mounds of lesser star coral stand away from the southernmost point; these have completely engulfed big rocks. Past the mounds, the sandy bottom slopes from 15m

(50ft ) to the site's maximum depth. This area is, alas, littered with broken bottles and other rubbish; uncharacteristically, the octopuses have taken up residence in them. Other residents of this otherwise sandy area are rays and puffer fish.

KOH LARN
Location: In the Near Island group Koh Larn is the largest of three, just over 12km (7 n. miles ) west of Pattaya Beach.The island has several dive sites, with the southern end and the south western coast being the best.

Access: About 1hr by boat from Pattaya Beach. There are some mooring buoys; boats can anchor on the sand near the reef.

Conditions: All year round diving, offers good protection from strong currents and winds when far islands cannot be reached. Although the near islands is not the first choice for experienced divers, novices and training divers will find interesting spots. Visibility ranges between 5m (16ft) and 15m (50ft).

Average depth: 7m (23ft)

Maximum depth: 15m (50ft)

Though not one of the area's strongest sites, this is worth an occasional visit when conditions are favorable. A word of warning, the near islands are used by hundreds of tourist everyday and boat traffic can be hazardous, especially at the north end of the islands. A surface marker buoy is essential.

Koh Larn Vac has numerous corals in very shallow water, ideal for snorkellers and novice divers. In the bay at the southern most point of the island is a breakwater and a small concrete platform, about 50m (150 ft) form this platform are large concrete rings under the water. These rings are covered in soft corals and fans, many reef fish have made the rings their home. The reef getting a little deeper as it rounds the south west headland, it will continue north until reaching the next bay. You will find a few very large coral boomies along this stretch of coast line. Although you might not be able to get any deep water here you will be pleasantly surprised at the varied amount of marine life in the shallow waters.

KOH SAK
Location: This is the northern most island of the three near islands 10km (6 n. miles ) west of Pattaya Beach.

Access: About 40 min by boat from Pattaya Beach . There are several mooring buoys.

Conditions: During southerly winds this is a good site for novices. Visibility ranges between 5m (16ft) and 15m (50ft).

Average depth: 5m (16ft)

Maximum depth: 9m (30ft)

This site must be the most dived site by many of Pattaya's dive shops as a training site, but extreme care must be taken when in the centre of the bay or on the surface due to large tour boats, speed boats and jet skis, surface markers are a must.

The east and west headlands do offer some interesting shallow reef, as little as 3m (10 ft) in the centre of the bay at low tide. Due to the fact that the dive area is protected from the weather most of the year it some times has some of the best visibility. Divers will often see turtles, marine life is plentiful and varied.

KOH KROK
Location: This is the closest of all the dive sites off the Pattaya coast, 9km (51/2 n. miles ) east of Pattaya Beach.

Access: About 35 min by boat from Pattaya Beach . There is no mooring buoy; boats moor 30m (100ft) off the southeast coast.

Conditions: During northerly winds this is a good site for novices. Visibility ranges between 5m (16ft) and 15m (50ft).

Average depth: 7m (23ft)

Maximum depth: 12m (40ft)

Though not one of the area's stronger sites, it's worth an occasional visit when strong incoming tides are present, drift dives along this side of the island can be quite fun. Koh Krok is one of the least dived sites and anchor damage to corals is much less than some other areas at the near islands. One interesting feature here is an artificial reef project that was conducted by local divers a few years ago. Car and truck tires and cement blocks where put in the water, over the years soft corals, mussels and sponges have grown on the tires Hard corals along the southern side are home to many reef fish and a few turtles.