Sail Rock has to be the most famous dive site in the Gulf of Thailand. Luckily for us, it is located close to Koh Phangan. About an hour boat ride is required to reach this dive site. This is why we run this trip almost on a daily basis.
The dives take place along walls covered by corals, around submerged pinnacles, and over anemone gardens. Huge schools of big-eyed trevallies, chevron barracudas, and longfin batfish. We can also see Talang queenfish and big groupers roaming around.
On certain days, we have the chance of a visiting whale shark or to spot sailfish, tunas and great barracudas. For attentive divers, Jaan’s pipefish or banded boxer shrimps can be found in some of the cracks.
Sail Rock has not always been a dive site. It was part of a military zone before and has even been used as a practice target. Some divers have recovered shells that have been fired by the military forces. It was also a very good fishing spot for local fisherman but the place has been left to divers.
Sail Rock is currently getting rezoned as part of the Ang Thong Marine Park which would offer even greater protection to the site.
Details of Sail Rock dive site
Topography | |
| Depth: | 0 – 44 meters / 0 – 150 feet |
| Bottom type: | Rock and sand |
| Extra: | The chimney a vertical opening in the rock. Artificial reefs. |
Conditions | |
| Visibility: | Varies between 3 to 40 meters / 10 to 130 feet depending on day and depth |
| Current: | None to strong |
| Surface: | Not protected, can be flat to big waves and surge |
| Temperature: | Between 27C / 79 F and 31C / 94F |
Marine species | |
| Common fishes: | Chevron Barracuda, Yellowfin Barracuda, Big-eyed Trevallies or Jacks, Talang Queenfish, Teira Batfish, Yellowback Fusilier |
| Rare fish species: | Whale shark, Dogtooth Tuna, Seal Faced Pufferfish, Frogfish, Bearded Scorpionfish, Blue Marlin, Razorfish |
| Corals: | Labyrinth Coral, Maze Coral, Brain Coral, Whip corals |
| Others: | Barrel sponges, |