Koh Rok
Snorkelling
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Some of Thailand’s finest snorkeling spots are located off Lanta’s coast. Koh Rok, 47 km south of Lanta, is considered by most to be the pick of the bunch, though other people say they rate Koh Haa’s snorkelling even more highly. Koh Rok actually consists of two islands, Koh Rok Nai and Koh Rok Nok, both graced with powdery white sand beaches and with an extensive bed of coral in between.
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This sheltered and shallow channel is an ideal habitat for reef fish, and the place swarms with innumerable shoals of them. Visibility is very good, and many interesting species of reef fish can be found in these waters. Many snorkellers are most amazed by the sheer numbers of fish here, which swirl and swarm around the swimmers. |
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Floating around above one of the vast and colourful coral beds, the snorkeller can be deceived by the fantastic visibility into thinking that the water is shallower than it actually is. It can be a surprise to dive down and try to swim along the bottom, but then realize that actually, it’s a good bit deeper than you had thought. |
The islands themselves are also popular with day-trippers, just don’t forget your sun-glasses, as the silky soft sand is blindingly white. After eating the lunch which their tour operator provides, many visitors enjoy a stroll along some of the little paths that wind around banyan trees and crisscross the islands.
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The beach is white and powdery with lots of hermit crabs crawling around and many giant monitor lizards can be seen too. There are some park rangers living on the island and for whose who would like to stay overnight, camping can be arranged. |
Dive Site - Koh Rok Nai
| Area |
Lanta |
| Site |
Koh Rok Nai |
| Location |
The northern of the two Koh Rok islands |
| Depth |
Average 12m / Maximum 20m |
This is a good site at all depths. The diving is around the southern coast, heading slightly northeast. This is also a reasonable snorkelling site, and offers good night-diving, since conditions are almost always calm at night. The reef slopes gently and there are lots of hard corals, including brain and table staghorn, and many barrel sponges.
The reef-fish are reasonably plenteous; they include bannerfish, large schools of moorish idols, a good variety of anemonefish and on occasion, turtles. Away from the reef, large barracuda, tuna and jacks pass by.
Dive Site - Koh Rok Nok
| Area |
Krabi |
| Site |
Koh Rok Nok |
| Location |
The southern of the two Koh Rok islands |
| Depth |
Average 14m / Maximum 20m |
Around the wall, look out for morays, lionfish, invertebrates and nudibranchs, plus many zigzag oysters. Further around the headland you come across a terrain of big boulders that extends all the way to the cliff face.
This section is interesting in that a freshwater stream has, because of its high iron content, coloured the rocks bright orange; for the same reason, though, healthy coral growth is restricted.
Packages
Click here for a snorkelling day trip to Koh Rok. For diving to Koh Rok, contact us.
Andaman Sky, Co., Ltd, 23/8 Moo 2, Ao Nang, Thailand
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