Anemone Reef

Anemone Reef Dive Site Phuket

The dive site Anemone Reef is approximately 25km east of Chalong bay in Phuket and very close to Shark Point and the popular Phuket dive of the King Cruiser Wreck.

This site is a pinnacle starting from 5 meters going down to 25 meters and the site also has a sloped channel at the south of the pinnacle.

On the left west side it slopes down to a sandy bottom and on the east side is a wall going down to sandy bottom but the main attraction is the anemones, also great for photography with all the sea fans and soft corals.

Anemone Reef‘s name in Thai is 'Hin Jom' and this dive-site is a fish lover’s dream.

Anemone Reef Dive Site Facts

Best Dive Months: November to April

Average Depth: 12 meters

Maximum Depth: 25 meters

Visibility: 5 - 20 meters

Currents: Moderate to Strong

Hazards: Boat Traffic

Marine Life: Whale Sharks, Nudibranch, Mantas, Reef Sharks, Turtles, Boxfish, Pipefish, Fusiliers, Squirrel Fish, Rabbit Fish, Butterfly Fish, Octopus, Moray Eels, Stingrays, Wrasses, Angelfish, Damsel Fish, Puffer Fish, Seahorses, Snappers, Hermit Crab.

A normal boat journey from Chalong pier takes about 2 hours depending on the waves and wind as you get out of the bay. When you arrive at Anemone Reef there is a descent line on to the top of the pinnacle at about 5 meters, which can be quite tricky for entry and exit of the boat if there is a lot of current and waves.

Once you descend down the descent line to the top of the pinnacle you can see the waves of clown fish and anemones everywhere on the rock.

If you descend over to the east side first at about 7 meters there is a little cave of about 1 meter high and inside there are Jan's Pipefish, Durban Dancer Shrimps and Coral Banded Cleaner Shrimps.

Descending further down the east side you will see from there 3 sea fans at about 11 meters and inside there are 3 Tiger Tailed Seahorses, 2 yellow and 1 black.

Depending on the current you will either travel north or south but if you travel south, look on the wall as you can see lots of Nudibranch and also lots of bearded and devil Scorpionfish.

In the cracks of the corals you will see lots of White-eyed Moraysoften 6 or 7 together. Eventually you will come to a sloping channel often inside here we find Leopard Sharks laying on the sand also when you look up there is so much fish life including Squid, Trumpet fish and Cornet fish among others and the occasional dog tooth Tuna.

To the left of the channel there is a few bommies which often have painted Spiny Lobster.

When you go through the channel and the start heading north up the west side of the pinnacle you will see the wall with lots of life including spotted and yellow Box fish, and the same as on the east side for life also keep a eye out for our resident turtle and of course Skunk Clown fish, Clarks anemone and false Clown-fish, remembering to look at in the blue as often seen are whale sharks and mantas.

Once you have been round the pinnacle make your way to the ascent line for your 3 minute safety stop as the line is at 5 meters and is best to use this when the currents are strong. Once you have ascended it may be choppy on the surface the boats are very efficient and will pick you up very quickly.

This is a great dive for fun divers also for underwater naturalist course and also underwater photography and video. This is a must dive if you are in this area. I personally have been diving on this site over 200 times and never get bored as there is so much life.

Phuket Dive Sites |> Shark Point |> King Cruiser Wreck |> Koh Doc Mai |> Koh Racha Yai |> Koh Racha Noi |

 

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