Garang Heang/Hin Klai - Similan Islands
Garang Heang, or Hin Klai as some call it, is one of the shallower spots in the Similans, topping out at a comfortable 16 meters. It’s a great introduction to the area, particularly if you’re still getting your fins wet. We’ve always found it to be a gentle dive, generally with mild currents, which makes it perfect for longer bottom times and really observing the smaller stuff. Keep an eye out for plenty of colourful reef fish darting between the coral heads, and we’ve often spotted garden eels waving from the sandy patches. It's a relaxed, easy dive, ideal for newer divers or those who just want a chill afternoon exploring.
- Location
- Similan Islands, Thailand, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 7.693400, 98.810700
- Maximum Depth
- 16m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Krabi Environmental Protected Area
Best Time to Dive in Similan Islands
The warmest water temperatures in Similan Islands occur in May, averaging 30.8°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.6°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.6°C
- February: 29.0°C
- March: 29.6°C
- April: 30.6°C
- May: 30.8°C
- June: 29.9°C
- July: 29.6°C
- August: 29.3°C
- September: 29.0°C
- October: 29.0°C
- November: 29.2°C
- December: 28.7°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Similan Islands
- 8 mile rock
- Andaman Scuba
- Anemone Reef (reef)
- Anita s reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Anita's Reef - 10-25m (reef)
- Anti gravity Divers
- Ao Kon Ka Re
- Ao Nui - 17m
- Ao Sane - 5-18m (reef)
- Ayara Bay - 17m (reef)
- Banana Bay - 5-20m (reef)
- Barracuda Rock - 20m (pinnacle)
- Batfish Bend - 10-28m (drift)
- Bay 1 / Ao Ter (reef)
- Beacon Beach
Nearest Dive Centres to Garang Heang/Hin Klai
- ABC Phuket Diving
- Activity and diving centre
- Adang Sea Divers - SSI
- All 4 Dive - PADI
- All4Diving® Phuket - ["PADI"]
- Amazing Phuket adventures - SSI
Marine Life in Similan Islands
Home to 183 recorded species including 127 reef fish, 38 hard corals, 9 seagrass & algae, 4 sharks & rays, 2 other, 1 octopus & squid.
Notable Species
- Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
- Staghorn coral (Acropora kosurini) - Hard Corals
- sorrah shark (Carcharhinus sorrah) - Sharks & Rays
- Staghorn coral (Acropora indonesia) - Hard Corals
- seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
- Dusky Parrotfish (Scarus niger) - Reef Fish
- Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor) - Reef Fish
- Moluccan cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus moluccensis) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora secale) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora valida) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora hoeksemai) - Hard Corals
- cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
- Herringbone butterflyfish (Chaetodon triangulum) - Reef Fish
- Dollfus's octopus (Amphioctopus aegina) - Octopus & Squid
- Clown Tang (Naso lituratus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora solitaryensis) - Hard Corals
- Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
- Blue-scaled wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) - Reef Fish
- Argus Grouper (Cephalopholis argus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora austera) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for Garang Heang/Hin Klai
Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C, currents 7 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories