Explore Hin Muang
Two hours from Koh Lanta and an hour and fifty minutes from the Phi Phi Islands, Hin Muang and Hin Daeng are two underwater pinnacles that are home to a plethora of exciting marine life. Often dived together as part of a day trip as they’re only 500 meters from one another, these two sites are a must for divers who’re fortunate enough to visit the region.
Hin Muang is a rocky ridge that lies in the Andaman Sea within the Mu Koh Lanta National Marine Park. With maximum depths of up to 70 meters and strong currents, it’s a spot better suited to more experienced divers. With these currents comes nutrient-rich waters that attract the big stuff, like manta rays and whalesharks, although even if they don’t make an appearance, it’s still an exceptionally beautiful site with immeasurable numbers of vibrant marine species.
Many dive centers and dive resorts offer trips to Hin Muang and its sister Hin Daeng, such as those in Phuket, Koh Lanta, Krabi and operators based in the Phi Phi Islands. Liveaboard safaris also include these sites in their itinerary, and you can choose between those that cover Thailand's west coast, which usually includes the Similans and Richelieu Rock, or you can opt for a shorter trip which focuses on Thailand’s southern areas, such as the Phi Phi Islands and Koh Ha.
You can often dive at Hin Muang as part of a dive course, especially advanced and specialty courses like deep and drift, due to appropriate conditions that permit such training.
Top Hin Muang Dive Sites
1. Hin Muang
Hin Muang, or “Purple Rock,” is blanketed with soft purple corals and offers encounters with barracuda, giant trevally, and occasionally whale sharks and manta rays. It is an advanced scuba diving site due to strong currents and depths exceeding 30m. The site features dramatic vertical walls and is part of a marine protected area.
2. Hin Daeng
Located near Hin Muang, Hin Daeng is one of Thailand’s deepest sites and offers advanced scuba diving. Divers often see reef sharks, schools of snappers, and pelagic species like manta rays. The site is famous for its steep drop-offs and large anemone fields, and it lies within a protected zone.
3. Koh Haa Lagoon – Freediving possible
This sheltered site features clear, calm waters and an easy reef slope with moray eels, clownfish, and lionfish. It is suitable for easy scuba and freediving, especially for beginners. Koh Haa Lagoon also offers night diving and is part of the Koh Lanta National Marine Park.
4. Koh Bida Nok
Just south of Phi Phi Islands, this site is ideal for intermediate scuba divers and is teeming with leopard sharks, cuttlefish, and colorful reef fish. The underwater terrain includes walls, caverns, and sandy slopes, making it diverse and visually engaging.
5. Koh Haa Cathedral
A dramatic cavern system and swim-through highlight this intermediate-level scuba site. Divers can spot nudibranchs, stingrays, and groupers within the cathedral-like chambers. The calm conditions also make it a training ground for deep and specialty dives.