Phuket Dive Guide : Phi Phi Don - Tonsai bay / Hin Dot
About the location and site
Hin Dot or "Chimney Rock" is located southwest just outside Tonsai Bay, which is the main harbour in the Phi Phi Islands, on the south side of Phi Phi Don.
The pinnacles attract huge numbers of schooling fish including snapper, fusiliers, and jacks. Zigzag clams cover the lower portions of the dive site along with a few giant clams. Nurse sharks can be found under the rocks at the bottom. Soft corals, hard corals, and crinoids are more vibrant towards the top of the pinnacle. The site consists of 3 pinnacles or chimneys that lie close together in a north-south direction. The main pinnacle drops down as deep as 30m and has distinct shelves at 15m, 12m, and 3m making it an excellent multi-level dive when currents allow. The small site also provides an abundance of marine life and dramatic underwater scenery that changes as you slowly ascend. The rock walls are covered in purple and orange-coloured soft corals along with tube corals, hard corals, Christmas tree, and tubeworms. Clownfish dance above the anemones and putterfish run for cover as you approach.
Hin Dot or "Chimney Rock" is located southwest just outside Tonsai Bay, which is the main harbour in the Phi Phi Islands, on the south side of Phi Phi Don.
The pinnacles attract huge numbers of schooling fish including snapper, fusiliers, and jacks. Zigzag clams cover the lower portions of the dive site along with a few giant clams. Nurse sharks can be found under the rocks at the bottom. Soft corals, hard corals, and crinoids are more vibrant towards the top of the pinnacle. The site consists of 3 pinnacles or chimneys that lie close together in a north-south direction. The main pinnacle drops down as deep as 30m and has distinct shelves at 15m, 12m, and 3m making it an excellent multi-level dive when currents allow. The small site also provides an abundance of marine life and dramatic underwater scenery that changes as you slowly ascend. The rock walls are covered in purple and orange-coloured soft corals along with tube corals, hard corals, Christmas tree, and tubeworms. Clownfish dance above the anemones and putterfish run for cover as you approach.
The corals and crinoids are more vibrant in the shallower areas. Look closely in the cracks and crevices for all sorts of shrimps, crabs, and small lobsters. There are numerous nudibranchs too. The pinnacles attract huge numbers of schooling fish including snapper, yellow fusiliers, and jacks. Larger fish such as trevally and barracuda circle around feeding on the smaller fish. Their hunting antics are fascinating to watch. Zigzag clams cover the lower areas of the dive site along with a few giant clams and oysters. At the seabed, , small scattered rocks litter the flat sand where leopard sharks can be found under the rocks, resting at the bottom. At night, you can catch sight of lionfish free gliding and squid feeding
As the entry and exit point to this dive is near Phi Phi's main harbor, which has a lot of boat traffic, it is recommended to carry a safety balloon.
As the entry and exit point to this dive is near Phi Phi's main harbor, which has a lot of boat traffic, it is recommended to carry a safety balloon.
