Everything you need to know about the Hin Ngam dive site in Koh Tao
Hin Ngam is a bay on the island, but also one of the over 20 dive sites from Koh Tao. From the bay, located on the southeast coast of Koh Tao, you can see Shark Island. The dive site is right next to Aow Leuk, a popular dive site for beginners.
About Hin Ngam dive site
Hin Ngam is a sheltered bay complete with peaceful sand and an encircling fringing reef. Its depth ranges from 16 and 60 feet (5 to 18 meters), making it perfect for intermediate and beginners. Plus, its proximity to Aow Leuk only increases this destination’s popularity as one of the most sought-after snorkeling and diving sites around.
In fact, many dives start at Hin Ngam and continue to Aow Leuk.
Hin Ngam’s three towering pinnacles provide the perfect habitat for a plethora of marine life, including shrimps, turtles, porcupine pufferfish, scorpionfish, pipefish, white-eyed moray eels, and jenkins/blue-spotted rays.
At Hin Ngam, you can take on the thrilling challenge of exploring the majestic pinnacles scattered over the sand, or opt to leisurely cruise along its stunning coastline. Regardless of which journey you choose, this vista offers a delightful experience with its simple pleasures.
The remarkable coral reef is full of life, boasting a wide range of species including staghorn, brain, and star corals, as well as Christmas tree worms.
Submerged in the ocean, the bay is blanketed with sand but does not have a beach. Therefore, it’s more suitable for advanced divers to master their skills or rescue scenarios rather than open water diver training. Also, the sandy bottoms are often a little deeper than other dive sites like Aow Leuk.
Hin Ngam dive site brief
- Access: From boat
- Maximum depth: 60 feet/ 18 meters
- Visibility: 52 – 82 feet (10 – 25 meters)
- Dive time: 60 minutes
- Certification level: Open Water
- Current: medium
- Type: reef, pinnacles
When is the best time to dive at Hin Ngam?
From January to May, Hin Ngam in Koh Tao is the perfect destination for a memorable exploration. While you can dive here all year round, it’s best to stay away from October through December, when heavy rainfall affects eastern Thailand far more than other parts of this stunning country.
What certification is required to dive at Hin Ngam?
The dive at Hin Ngam is for intermediate divers with a minimum Open Water certification. The dive site is not often used for Open Water training courses, but for fun dives for beginners. It’s more common that advanced open water or specialty courses conduct a skill session here, dive the reef and maybe carry on to Aow Leuk if time allows.
How much does a dive at Hin Ngam cost?
Koh Tao has some of the most affordable scuba diving prices. A single dive usually starts at around 1,000 Thai Baht (approx. 30 USD). As a rule of thumb, the price decreases to 800 TBH (approx. 25 USD) per dive for more than one and up to 10 dives. Therefore, a two-tank fun dive costs about 50 USD only.
Related dive sites
Other dive sites suited for beginners as well as more experienced divers are White Rock or Twins. If you like the pinnacles in Koh Tao and are deep dive experienced, check out the Hin Pee Wee or Chumphon Pinnacle – here you have the highest chance to dive with whale sharks. And don’t forget a night dive at the Junkyard and a wreck dive at the HTMS Sattakut.
