Hin Muang

Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, located about 30 nautical miles southwest of Ko Lanta in the middle of the ocean, are among the most spectacular reefs in the southern Andaman Sea.

The word “Hin Muang” means “purple rock,” which comes from the unique growth of purple soft corals. The Hin Muang and Hin Daeng dive sites are only about 450 meters apart and are connected underwater—far below the depth limit for recreational divers—by a narrow ridge.

Hin Muang begins at a depth of 8 m to 16 m. It resembles a Bavarian mountain range, except that here you’ll see manta rays instead of cows, and divers instead of Japanese mountaineers. This long, rocky coral ridge drops down to about 60 m. This is followed by a sandy bottom that slopes very gently downward.

The shallower parts of the reef are covered with vast fields of anemones. A beautiful, large school of batfish seems to be a permanent resident here. Hin Muang is an excellent spot for encounters with large fish such as gray reef sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks.

Due to the depth and the sometimes strong currents, neither dive site is suitable for beginners.