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Diving Giraffe Lookout Dive Site Koh Tang

There is a rational reason for naming one of the popular dive sites at Koh Tang Island, near Sihanoukville, after the world's tallest mammal.

This section explains why it's called Giraffe Lookout dive site, how to get there, the average depth limits, and what marine animals you might see.

Best Months to Scuba Dive 'Giraffe Lookout'

One reason travelers go diving at the Sihanoukville islands is for warm ocean temperatures of 26 to 30° Celsius (78-86 Fahrenheit).

This area of South East Asia usually gets the wet season from June to October and the dry season starts in November until May.

Even so, most scuba schools in Cambodia offer year round scuba diving and snorkeling courses at the nearby islands.

Sihanoukville city is one of the popular destinations that backpackers and tourists choose when visiting the area.

There are twenty two (22) islands in the province of Sihanoukville, and a few of them have private ownership. Even so, many of the favoured diving locations have not yet been destroyed by any significant foreign investment.

The stunning scenery at Koh Tang Island creates an ideal escape from the noise and pollution of life in the city. So, visitors will make the short journey from the coastal city of Sihanoukville and enjoy a relaxing day trip around the sundrenched archipelago.

This area is a paradise for scuba divers and there are many dive spots to choose from. In general, you should base the destination on which particular sea life creatures you are hoping to encounter.

So, why did they name it after the mammal with towering legs and a long neck? Quite simply, it's because of a tall 'giraffe-like' tree that overlooks the bay from the cliffs above.

Note: The dive site Giraffe Lookout is a shallow location with maximum depths around fourteen (14) metres. It's a useful scuba training destination situated at the west of Koh Tang Island for the entry-level Open Water Diver and the PADI® Advanced Open Water courses.

Vertebrates and Invertebrates Aplenty

You will find a rich combination of hard and soft coral structures dotted around on the seabed. So, there are lots of safe hideaways that small reef fishes can use for shelter.

The ocean floor in the Gulf of Thailand bottoms out around 14 metres (45 feet) in this area. So, besides the usual sightings of creepy critters and several species of marine crustaceans, you also have a good chance of spotting:

The remoteness of the island means divers get to view vibrant coral reefs and rocky underwater pinnacles at some of the best dive sites in Cambodia.

As a result, the unexplored reefs are a good place to take one of the underwater photography courses (e.g. PADI Digital Photographer).

Note: If you get an opportunity to scuba dive at Cobia Point, you should see chevron barracuda and the cobia fish species up to 2 metres long (also called black kingfish).

Related Information and Help Guides

There is no shortage of dive sites for divers of all certification levels to explore when scuba diving Koh Tang Island, Sihanoukville. Some of the best spots for underwater enthusiasts include:

Note: Another section explains more about passive interaction with marine animals and the importance of diving safely around hazardous sea life.

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