Dive Site: Koh Yang

About Koh Yang

Koh Yang, situated within the Tarutao National Marine Park, offers a diverse and captivating dive experience near Koh Lipe. The site is characterized by granite formations that extend into the depths, creating sheltered bays and steep walls adorned with colorful soft corals. These geological features provide a varied topography that ensures a different experience with each visit, making it a compelling destination for divers. The topography transitions from shallow bays with healthy hard coral gardens to deeper sections where large boulders and cracks provide refuge for marine inhabitants. Depths range from 5 to 30 meters, accommodating various dive profiles. The rich soft coral growth, particularly on the steep walls, contributes significantly to the site's visual appeal and biodiversity. Marine life at Koh Yang includes numerous reef fish such as porcupinefish, pufferfish, and butterflyfish in the shallower hard coral areas. Deeper within the cracks and under boulders, divers can discover macro life like various shrimps, pipefish, and spiny lobsters. Sea kraits are also notable residents, adding to the unique encounters available here. Diving at Koh Yang is typically conducted from day boats departing from Koh Lipe. The site is known for its generally mild currents, making it accessible for a range of skill levels while still offering opportunities for close observation of its intricate ecosystems. Its proximity to Koh Lipe, just a short boat ride away, adds to its convenience.

Dive site facts: Koh Yang

Depth

5–30 m

Typical dive

15–19 m, 57 min

Current

Mild

Visibility

10–25 m

Water temperature

26–30 °C

Entry

Boat

Level

All levels

Dive type

Reef, wall, macro, coral garden

Region / port

Koh Lipe, Andaman Sea

Coordinates

8.0741° N, 98.5139° E

Conditions & Currents

Koh Yang typically experiences mild currents, which are predominantly tidal in nature. This means current strength can vary throughout the month, with some periods being entirely current-free and others experiencing stronger flows, especially around the half-moon. Dive operators plan around these tidal patterns to ensure optimal conditions, often finding suitable areas for diving even when currents are stronger elsewhere. Visibility can be excellent, frequently reaching 25 meters, although it can drop to 10 meters in February or due to localized conditions. Water temperatures remain warm, generally between 26-30°C, making a 3mm shorty wetsuit suitable. Entry methods usually involve a back roll from a day boat, with descents made along the reef or mooring lines to manage any mild water movement. The mild current conditions make the site suitable for divers seeking a relaxed experience, bu

Marine life & sighting chances

Porcupinefish

common

Pufferfish

common

Butterflyfish

common

Sea Krait

occasional

Shrimps

common

Pipefish

occasional

Spiny Lobsters

occasional

Juvenile Angelfish

occasional

Moray eels

occasional

Octopus

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Koh Yang typically begin with a backroll entry from a day boat, leading to a gentle descent along a mooring line or directly onto the reef slope. The dive then progresses through sheltered bays, starting in shallower hard coral gardens at around 5-10 meters, where numerous reef fish are observed. As you follow the granite fingers deeper, the topography transforms into steep walls adorned with vibrant soft corals and deep cracks. Divers will explore these features down to depths of 15-20 meters, searching for macro life such as pipefish and various shrimps hidden within the crevices. The route often involves circumnavigating large boulders that provide shelter for spiny lobsters and juvenile angelfish. The turn point is determined by air consumption and no-decompression limits, allowing for a gradual ascent back into the shallower areas. The safety stop is typically conducted in the sheltered bays, providing an excellent opportunity for observing shallow reef inhabitants in good light, before surfacing near the boat after a dive duration averaging 57 minutes.

Underwater photography

Koh Yang offers excellent opportunities for wide-angle and macro photography due to its diverse topography and abundant marine life. For wide-angle shots, a fisheye or wide-angle lens is ideal to capture the grandeur of the granite fingers, steep walls, and colorful soft coral gardens. Utilize natural light in the shallower bays for vibrant coral colors. For macro enthusiasts, a 60mm or 100mm lens is recommended to focus on the detailed macro life such as pipefish, shrimps, and spiny lobsters found in cracks and under boulders. Patience and good buoyancy are crucial to avoid disturbing delicate subjects. Strobes are beneficial to bring out the true colors of the soft corals and illuminate hidden critters. Pay attention to ambient light in deeper sections to prevent underexposure. Look for sea kraits and unique reef fish in the hard coral areas for compelling close-ups. Respect marine life by maintaining a safe distance and avoiding contact.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Koh Usen
• Stonehenge

  Stonehenge is an exceptional dive site situated about 2 kilometers off Ta Lang Beach on Koh Lipe's eastern side, renowned for its striking…

• Pattaya Corner

  The Corner is a prominent outer reef dive site situated in Pohnpei, Micronesia.

• Honeycomb
• Koh Adang (Nursery Bay)

  Shark Bay, known in Spanish as Bahia de Tiburones, is a celebrated dive site located off Wolf Island in the remote northern reaches of the…

Getting there & logistics

Koh Yang is primarily accessed via day boats operating from Koh Lipe, an island in the Andaman Sea. To reach Koh Lipe, travelers typically fly into one of Thailand's international airports, such as Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK), and then take a domestic flight to Phuket (HKT) or Krabi (KBV). From these airports, subsequent transfers involving a car and speedboat are necessary to reach Koh Lipe. The dive site is only a short speedboat ride from Koh Lipe, usually less than 30 minutes. Tarutao National Marine Park, where Koh Yang is located, charges a marine park fee of 200 baht per person, valid for 5 days. This fee is often included in dive center packages. Diving trips from Koh Lipe are usually daily excursions, often combining Koh Yang with another nearby site like Koh Adang.

Safety & environment

Divers visiting Koh Yang should ensure they have comprehensive dive insurance, as the nearest recompression chamber facilities are not immediately on Koh Lipe. In case of a serious incident, emergency evacuation to a mainland hospital or recompression chamber (likely in Phuket) would be necessary, which can be time-consuming and costly without proper coverage. Given the occasional mild currents, maintaining good buoyancy control and staying close to the dive guide is essential. Always dive within your training limits and be aware of your air consumption and no-decompression limits. The site's varied topography with cracks and overhangs requires careful navigation to avoid entanglement or disturbing marine life. Always respect national park regulations, which include not touching or collecting marine organisms, and maintaining proper finning techniques to protect the fragile coral ecosystems.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Koh Yang FAQ

Liveaboards diving Koh Yang

These liveaboards may visit Koh Yang on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Mandarin Queen 9

Thailand

26 guests37.5 m

Manta Queen 8

Thailand

24 guests

$127/day

The Junk

Thailand

18 guests33 m

$163/day

Deep Andaman Queen

Thailand

23 guests30.5 m

$194/day

Explorer

Thailand

16 guests25 m

$150/day

Andaman

Thailand

20 guests26 m

$108/day

Stingray

Thailand

8 guests24 m

$245/day

Seatopia

Thailand

24 guests24 m