Dive· Sail Rock (Hin Bai)· Thailand
Sail Rock (Hin Bai)
9° 56.7′ N · 99° 59.4′ E
A lone granite pinnacle in open water halfway between Phangan and Tao, rising about 15 m above and 40 m below the surface, famous for its vertical 'chimney' swim-through and big-fish encounters, including the occasional whale shark.
Practical
Position from OpenStreetMap (Hin Bai / Sail Rock dive site). Sail Rock Divers: max 40 m, chimney entered at 6 m and exited at 18 m, suitable for all levels, about 1 to 1 hour 20 minutes by dive boat from Chaloklum. Wikipedia: max 45 m, average 30 m, one of the Gulf's first dive sites, with large pelagics, king mackerel, tuna, whale sharks and manta rays. Crystal Dive gives 5–40 m with trevally, mackerel and barracuda. There is no shelter: visit in settled weather and do not anchor on the rock; dive boats tie to moorings around it, so take one only if free and stay on board with a watch. Currents can run, so keep a boat handler aboard.
Best for
The Gulf of Thailand's signature dive, on passage between Phangan and Tao
Season
Best in calm months (Mar–Oct); avoid in NE-monsoon surges
Nearby
- Ao Thong Lang and Koh Tae Nok Reefs8.7 NM away
- Koh Ma Reef Dive (northwest Phangan)8.7 NM away
- Koh Ma Sandbar (Mae Haad)8.7 NM away
- Rock Point (Chaloklum Bay east tip)8.8 NM away
- Haad Khom (Coconut Beach)8.9 NM away
- Ao Mae Haad Anchorage9.1 NM away
- Bottle Beach Trail (Haad Khom to Haad Khuat)9.1 NM away
- Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat) Anchorage9.3 NM away