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.
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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.
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