LOCAL DIVES IN SAMUI: CHAWENG REEF

General Description: Hard coral reef fringing the north half of Chaweng Beach . This reef is surprisingly lively boasting great diver sity of corals, sponges and anemones as well as the occasional sea fan. It is a nursery for juvenile fish of all types. Schools of young barracudas, jacks and snappers swim along the edge of the reef. Colorful fish such as butterflyfish, angelfish and parrotfish are plentiful. Box fish and pufferfish peek shyly from beneath coral heads. Sting rays and blue spotted rays hide themselves beneath the sand beside the reef.

This reef is one of our favorite dive sites simply because it is the most relaxing dive possible. There is no boat ride involved and can be accessed by walking directly off the beach at the southern end of the reef. During the dive there is no rush and no need to worry about depth or dive time. The duration of the dive is determined only by the desire of the diver and his air supply. Because of the extremely shallow depth the air can easily last over an hour. There is plenty of time to closely examine all the small stuff you've been missing on more rushed dives. The only drawback of this dive is the low visibility but because there is plenty of time you will probably see more on this dive than on dives with better visibility.

Best Season: March through October

Max. Depth: 8m

Water Temperature: 28-32 degrees Centigrade (March through October)

Average Dive Time: 60 - 90min

Average Visibility: 5m (best 10:00-13:00hrs)

Current: generally no current

Beach dives available every day 10:00-15:00hrs

Night dives meet at 18:00 to prepare equipment at Dive Indeep's beach office, diving approximately 18:45-20:00 .

DIVERS MUST WAIT AT LEAST 18 HOURS AFTER DIVING BEFORE FLYING!