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Koh Bida Nai Plan View
GPS Location: 07-39-28N 98-46-02E
Max Depth: 25M
Currents: Mild to strong
Visibility: 5M-25M
Diver Level: Beginner
Koh Bida Nai like its sister island comprises of limestone and granite rising from 25M in the sand to 30M above sea level. Topography ranges from shallow, gently sloping hard coral reef to the South East which meets the sand in around 16M to sheer walls and precipices on the North and West sides to 25M. To the South there a number of very large boulders forming valleys and swim throughs, most notably one to the south in 16M formed by two rocks leaning together forming a doorway often full of glassfish and a more vivid tunnel at about 7M to the South Eastern corner of the island. Another highlight of the site is a large rock pinnacle about 50M South East of the main reef which starts at 14M and drops to 20M at the South tip. Being less sheltered by the island the current is often demanding here but draws a massive array of fish.
Marine life is similar to that of Koh Bida Nok. The rock pinnacle to the south draws massive shoals of twin spot snapper shoals, hunting giant trevallies and fosters barracuda. Huge painted lobsters can be found in deep cracks in the rock wall too.
At the southernmost point of the pinnacle keep an eye out into the blue. The channel formed between the two islands acts as a highway for larger fish passing through like eagle rays and even whale sharks. Between the pinnacle and the main reef is a carpet of staghorn coral interspersed with sandy patches in which one may often encounter one or more sleeping leopard sharks and Kuhl’s blue spot stingray. On the main reef slope black and white banded sea snakes and hawksbill turtles are often seen with the chance of glimpsing a flighty black tip reef shark. The swim throughs are often filled with glassfish. The larger of these is often occupied by large marbled groupers and sometimes a huge, lone great barracuda. The reef slope contains the usual reef fish with an abundance of lionfish, moray eels and anemone fish protecting their homes. On the rock walls if one is diligent one may find tigertail seahorse, ornate ghost pipefish, Jans pipefish, several species of nudibranch and Durban dancing shrimps. Usually the second dive of the day this site compliments Koh Bida Nok well. |
