Phuket Dive Guide : Hin Muang
About the location and site
Hin Muang, Thai for Purple Rock, is a completely submerged long rocky ridge consisting of three main pinnacles and several smaller ones. The site is approximately 200 metres by 25 metres with its top at a depth of 6-8 metres and the southern side even descends to over 60 metres. Hin Muang is therefore the deepest vertical wall dive site in Thai water. The shallow surface of Hin Muang is completely covered in wonderful purple and pink soft corals and anemones, from where the site gets its name. The sheer volume and variety of fish life is an amazing spectacle to witness. There is a channel in the centre of the reef where many fish congregate to escape the currents that sweep along each side of the reef. Swarms of tiny silversides are constantly under attack from rainbow runners, jacks, and trevallies, hoping for a quick snack. Red-tooth triggerfish flutter prettily amongst the colorful soft corals, and many types of anemone fish dance over the top of the highest pinnacles.
Hin Muang, Thai for Purple Rock, is a completely submerged long rocky ridge consisting of three main pinnacles and several smaller ones. The site is approximately 200 metres by 25 metres with its top at a depth of 6-8 metres and the southern side even descends to over 60 metres. Hin Muang is therefore the deepest vertical wall dive site in Thai water. The shallow surface of Hin Muang is completely covered in wonderful purple and pink soft corals and anemones, from where the site gets its name. The sheer volume and variety of fish life is an amazing spectacle to witness. There is a channel in the centre of the reef where many fish congregate to escape the currents that sweep along each side of the reef. Swarms of tiny silversides are constantly under attack from rainbow runners, jacks, and trevallies, hoping for a quick snack. Red-tooth triggerfish flutter prettily amongst the colorful soft corals, and many types of anemone fish dance over the top of the highest pinnacles.
Hin Muang is also one of the best spotting sites for Manta Rays in Thailand. Known as a cleaning station, passing Manta Rays come here to be cleaned of the parasites that inhabit their tough skin by cleaner fish. Facing in to the current, these graceful giants hover effortlessly while feeding themselves with the abundant zooplankton.
Currents running over the top of the submerged pinnacles are usual, so the available mooring lines are preferable used for descent, safety stops, and ascent.
There is so much to see that you really do need eyes in the back of your head! Sometimes you see a diver with a camera focusing on an unusual shrimp or crab, very oblivious to the whale shark behind him or the manta ray cruising above. Even if you do not see a "big fish", this beautiful dive site surely boasts the deepest drop-off you simply have to dive once.
Currents running over the top of the submerged pinnacles are usual, so the available mooring lines are preferable used for descent, safety stops, and ascent.
There is so much to see that you really do need eyes in the back of your head! Sometimes you see a diver with a camera focusing on an unusual shrimp or crab, very oblivious to the whale shark behind him or the manta ray cruising above. Even if you do not see a "big fish", this beautiful dive site surely boasts the deepest drop-off you simply have to dive once.
Phuket Dive Guide maps : Hin Muang
