Dive· Koh Ha Yai· Thailand
Koh Ha Lagoon and Chimney
7° 25.8′ N · 98° 53.7′ E
The Koh Ha group's signature dives: a shallow, sand-floored lagoon inside the central islands, the Cathedral caverns at Koh Ha Yai, where light streams through the surface openings, and the Chimney, a vertical swim-through on Koh Ha Neung.
Practical
Lanta Diver: depths 5-30 m, visibility usually 15-25 m, mild to medium current, suitable for all levels. The Lagoon has a small white-sand beach and suits snorkellers and first dives; the Cathedral's first two chambers connect by a swim-through at about 9 m and can be surfaced inside; the Chimney runs from about 5 m to about 16 m (Wikivoyage). Life includes turtles, ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp, frogfish, seahorses, banded sea snakes, schooling snapper and barracuda, and occasional whale sharks and mantas. Southeast Asia Pilot also notes Captain Morgan's Back Passage, a short fish-filled tunnel near the moorings, and a low-tide-only silica beach. Day boats leave Saladan at 8am, about 2 hours each way. Park fee payable. Position from the OpenStreetMap Ao Ha beach polygon, inside the lagoon.
Best for
Snorkelling and cavern diving in the lagoon
Season
Mid-Oct to mid-May