Koh Lanta + Koh Lipe Feb/Mar 2025

[Centrals]

The early flight from HKG to HKT was less than 1/4 filled. Weather was fair on arrival. Airport bus was still B100.00. Overnight near Bus T1 in the Old Town.
Took the 07:330 van to Krabi for B160.00 and then changed to another one to Koh Lanta for B300.00. Dropped off very near to my pre booked accommodation.

 

[Centrals]

Weather was fine.
Hin Muang and Hin Deang.
When everyone was on the speed boat, the dm informed us that the trip might have to be diverted to Koh Haa because of the weather over last few days. The captain needs to find out first. Luckily the wind did not pick up and arrived at Hin Muang without any drama.
A bit of surge on the surface but the current was a bit stiff BUT just manageable. The plan was to swim to one end of the rock to watch the Giant Trevally hunting. Plenty of actions but the current made the diving a little bit uncomfortable.
Getting back to the boat was really uncomfortable. Took quite a while to have everyone back to the boat. Lunch was offered but everyone declined but did take some fruits(banana, pineapple and water melon).
Hin Daeng
The condition was much better and the Rock also provides shelter from the wind and surge. And this time the boat was tethered to the buoy.
Not much current and the dive was easy. Nice soft coral near the top but the fish population was not that great.
Climbing back to the boat was a lot easy than the previous dive.

Home after two dives.

 

[Edward3c]

My first dive here in Oman, boat re-boarding was interesting as the wind had picked up whilst we were down. The skipper kept the engines in reverse to hold station. Should have got us to swim out away from the cliff. Pity we’re not meeting up on Koh Lipe.

 

[Centrals]

Koh Haa No. 2 and Koh Haa Yai.
No. 2 was awful with dead hard coral everywhere.
DM explained the area was hit by warm water in last Mar and Apr. Feb was pretty cold when I was there last year.
Incredible.

Yai was slightly better with some lovely soft coral in one area near the top otherwise it was no better.

Very very disappointed.
Tomorrow is Koh Bida

 

[Centrals]

Koh Bida(2 dives)
Sunny and calm.
Coral: May be slightly better than Koh Haa but still pretty dismal.
Shark: Caught glimpse of black tip couple of times.
Fish: Several school of various snappers eg. two spots, Ehrenberg's and yellow striped.
Cuttle fish, small hawksbill, Couple of huge giant moray etc etc.

Tomorrow is Koh Haa again!!

 

[Centrals]

Koh Haa Yai, the cavern side.
Two dives around the area.
The highlight of this trip must be the two blue and white Harlequin shrimps at one of the entrance to one of the cavern.
Small school of barracuda and couple of very cute nudi. Nearly forgot to mention the ghost pipe fish hiding among some rocks.
Condition was excellent and vis has improved substantially.
Very enjoyable.

Tomorrow is off gas and there will be one more trip to dive the wreck and then to Koh Lipe, Langakawi and Penang. PG is on 26th Mar.