Dok Mai and Hin
Muang Islands
Both of these uninhabited islands are popular
with scuba divers.
Divers are usually taken to Hin Muang for
the first dive and Dok Mai for a second dive on the return
journey. The popular name for Hin Muang is "Shark Point"
because of the common sightings of the docile leopard sharks.
This dive site is now declared a marine sanctuary and all
forms of fishing are prohibited.
Divers enjoy this one day program because the sites
offer differing rocks and coral formations, which are enriched with
colors and shapes. Hin Muang introduces a gradual tour on the undulating
sea bed that are homes to exotic fishes which swim close by and
ready to feed out of hand. Baby moray eels are abundant here and
they join the feeding frenzy.
Dok Mai is considered a wall dive, as the
island extends its base steeply down the sea bed. A galaxy
of soft and hard corals mingles colors together, with sea
anemones and clown fish capturing the main marine spectacle.
Cave diving is an additional feature.
These two are the best sites for one day
diving off Phuket, with sufficient depth and variety of sea
world to enhance sport scuba diving.
Koh Lone
Is a large island in Chalong Bay. Take a
passenger boat from Chalong for 20 minutes to Koh Lone. It
is a quiet island with a fishing village, a few modest places
to stay, and a few inexpensive restaurants.
 back
to top
Racha Island
Escaping the rapid development due to its
distance the natural ambiance of these pristine islands remain
unchanged. Known for its two sandy beaches and a deep clear
water bay with colorful coral formations. Almost a swimming
pool features for those who are into scuba diving as the depth
of the bay commands a 30 to 40 feet drop onto a sandy seabed.
Boats leave the Chalong jetty around 8am for the
one hour trip to Racha. On arrival guests can relax on one of two
sandy beaches, with ample snorkeling opportunities. There are one
or two pleasant beachside seafood shacks on the island if you get
hungry. When you tire of beaches, take a walk into the interior.
Dappled sandy paths criss-cross the island, one of which leads to
a mound which the islanders believe either to be the grave of a
giant man called ‘Dto Raya’ or a cache of weapons left
over from World War II. Alternately, visitors can hike about 300m
(980)ft up a reasonably arduous path to a viewpoint with glorious
vistas of the surroundings
You can charter a longtail boat to Raya from
Chalong, but make sure it has life jackets. Or book a place
on the pirate inspired Jolly Roger Tel: 340-636) which makes
the run to Raya from Monday to Friday. Note there are no regular
sailings to Racha from May to October.
back
to top
|
