Dive· Koh Sawang· Thailand
Koh Sawang & Koh Palai Moorings
6° 30.4′ N · 99° 10.8′ E · approximate
The day moorings among the granite islets south of Koh Butang — Koh Sawang, Koh Palai and their satellites — generally considered the best snorkelling, diving and fishing in the group, with pinnacles smothered in pink and purple soft coral.
Practical
Southeast Asia Pilot: day anchorage and moorings around Koh Palai and Koh Sawang south of Koh Butang; the bottom drops from more than 25 m around these islands, so approach with caution. Position approximate: an OpenStreetMap snorkelling marker off Ko Bulo (alt. Ko Palai); the Ko Palai minor light is mapped at 6.49922, 99.17961 and Koh Sawang at 6.49451, 99.17832. Thaiholidayguide: Koh Sawang is a steep, beachless rock about 7.5 nm from Lipe, with walls and pinnacles to about 30 m and stronger current than the Lipe bays; dive at slack water. Ko Lipe Diving School lists 'Koh Sarang' (OpenStreetMap places it by Koh Sawang) as a drift over granite pinnacles and soft-coral fields at 18-30 m, with harlequin shrimp and leopard sharks.
Best for
Best soft-coral snorkel and dive in Butang
Nearby
- Koh Palai (Ko Bulo) Light0.1 NM away
- Stonehenge Dive Site (Butang)0.3 NM away
- Koh Lokoi0.5 NM away
- Koh Butang South-East Islets Anchorage (Ao Talo Lo Kuai)0.8 NM away
- Koh Butang East Anchorage (Ao Talo Lo Ko)1.3 NM away
- Koh Butang South-West Anchorage (Ao Ta Lo La Yo)1.3 NM away
- Sail Rock, Koh Dong (Butang)1.7 NM away
- Koh Rawi West Beaches Anchorage (Moorings guide)1.9 NM away