Hin Daeng, Hin Muang

Journey time: 1 hour. Depth: 8-70 meters. Visibility: 10-35m
Variety of fish: 5/5 (some very rare species). Quality of corals: 5/5
Level of diving required: PADI Advanced or Experienced Open Water.


Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are the two most famous dive sites in Thailand and are often listed in the top 10 dive sites in the world. These two pinnacles have steep drop offs to 70m with inter connecting rock shelves, covered in colourful soft corals and anemones. Located 70km off shore in the deep open sea, the visibility often reaches 30m and is a popular feeding site for many large pelagics. These sites have one of the highest incidences of whale sharks sightings in the world and is home to manta rays and leopard sharks. In our powerful two engine speed boat (see link to our boat) it only takes 1 hour to arrive at the sites and the two dive sites are only 500 meters apart so you can dive both sites in one day. Photographers will be in heaven here as these sites are perfect for Macro and wide angle photography. Someone with a sharp eye may also spot a ghost pipe fish, seahorse or frog fish. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are not suitable dive sites for beginners or snorkellers due to the deep drop offs and being so far offshore makes them more susceptible to strong currents and waves.

Hin Daeng (Red Rock) is a rock formation that can be spotted from the boat as the top couple of metres breaks the surface of the water. This pinnacle slopes gently down to 60m deep and is a perfect location for a multi level dive. The steep walls and inter-connecting rock shelves are covered with red and purple soft corals and anemones (the reason for its name "Red Rock") between which the smaller varieties reside. The diversity of marine life is incredible; leopard sharks, schools of rainbow runners, giant moray eels, octopus, trigger fish, rare nudibranches, pipe fish and boxer shrimps. And you will not be the first diver to experience manta rays circling around during your entire dive.


Hin Muang (Purple Rock) can not been seen from the surface. The top of this large pinnacle starts at 8m and slopes down to 70m deep. The pinnacle is approximately 200 metres long, running from east to west. The reef walls are covered with a forest of purple soft corals (hence the name "Purple Rock") and the top is amass with anemones feeding in the current. Small reef fish attract the bigger fish. Curious gray reef sharks, large schools of tuna, barracudas and jacks circle in the deep blue. When the plankton begins to bloom in November it is followed by the manta rays and whales sharks that have plankton highly recommended on their menu. These friendly giants are often surrounded by many impressive cobias, with whom they have a close relationship. Even though the corals are breath taking, keep an eye out in the blue, you might find yourself looking into the eyes of the largest fish of the ocean, the ever so impressive whale shark. Take your time on these two sites to look around and you will be amazed by all these different species you might spot. If a paradise on earth existed we would say it is called Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Definitely a MUST for the more experienced diver, because these two sites are about as good as it gets!

We have these and other dive trips, from beginner to PADI Advance Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver courses. Contact us so we can talk about your specific diving adventure to come.