Hin Kong (East West)

The descent is the part to get right. The pinnacle tops out within 5 m of the surface and falls away past 30 m, and the site is swept by current, so the drop is made upcurrent of the high point with the aim of getting onto the rock rather than swimming across open water to find it — Dive The World recommends a reef hook here. Scubago describes the same ground as extensive hard coral gardens with sandy channels and small bommies.

The current is what makes the site. Schools of trevally, barracuda and fusilier circle the rock, and reef sharks patrol the deeper sections. Whale sharks and manta rays are occasional visitors, particularly from February to April; Wikipedia notes that sightings of large pelagics anywhere in this park are rare, so treat them as a bonus rather than the plan. Reef fish and snapper cover the coral in quantity.

The shallow top of the pinnacle is where the dive finishes, on hard coral with the small life on it — nudibranchs and shrimps among the coral gardens. Accounts of the conditions disagree: Dive The World calls the site current-swept and suitable for advanced divers only, while Scubago rates the water movement mild to moderate and open to all skill levels. Take the stronger description as the planning case and check with the guide on the day.