Buddha Island

Koh Kaeo (Buddha Island) seen from the water

Koh Kaeo aka Buddha Island

Koh Kaeo, or Buddha Island, lies around 30 minutes from Chalong Pier and is easily recognised by the monastery and large Buddha statue on the island. Below water, the coastline continues as a rocky reef with soft corals and depths reaching around 20 metres.

How we dive Buddha Island

Buddha Island is all about the drift. There is almost always current here, and when conditions are right, we let it carry us along the rocky reef, using the rocks and bottom for shelter when we want to slow down.

This is a dive for experienced divers with good buoyancy control. Visibility can be limited and currents strong, so staying comfortably close to the reef makes a big difference.

Look out for…

Marine life tends to pick up towards the ends of the island, with schools of fish gathering around the rocks. Look closer for snowflake moray eels, octopus, cuttlefish, nudibranchs and shrimps among the soft corals and rocky crevices.

How we dive it

Step 1
Briefing on deck Your guide walks through the wreck layout, the planned route, depths, times and hand signals before anyone gears up.
Step 2
Giant stride entry A single step off the dive deck, a quick check at the surface, then we regroup on the line.
Step 3
Descent along the line We drop together down the mooring line, equalising as we go, until the shape of the wreck appears below.
Step 4
Explore the wreck We follow the hull and superstructure, staying in the current shadow and watching the schooling fish. Watch your air and no-decompression time as you go.
Step 5
Safety stop At 70 bar or three minutes to your no-decompression limit, we start ascending on the line to our safety stop at five metres before surfacing.
Step 6
Back on deck An easy exit up the ladder, warm towels and a debrief over a drink before the next dive.

A peek below the surface

Soft corals & cave dwellers at Koh Kaeo (Buddha Island)

Spotted hawkfish at Koh Kaeo (Buddha Island)

Baby cuttlefish at Koh Kaeo (Buddha Island)

White and purple soft corals at Koh Kaeo (Buddha Island)

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