Shark Point

Shark Point (also known as Hin Musang, which means "wild cat rock" in Thai) is located in open sea between Phuket and Phi Phi. The dive site is famous for its pink and purple coral gardens and frequent sightings of zebra sharks. Since 1992, Shark Point has been part of a marine sanctuary where fishing is prohibited, making it an excellent place to explore the underwater world of the Andaman Sea.

The site was named Shark Point because zebra sharks were often seen resting peacefully on the sandy bottom. Although shark sightings have decreased due to the growing number of boats visiting the area, the site remains one of the most beautiful dive locations thanks to its healthy reef and rich marine life.

Shark Point consists of a group of underwater pinnacles separated by small gaps. They are arranged from north to south at depths ranging from 5 meters to more than 25 meters. Each following pinnacle is slightly lower and deeper than the previous one.

Diving here is available for divers of all certification levels, although strong currents and changing visibility can make it challenging for less experienced divers.

Diving is usually done around the first three pinnacles. Two of them remain fully submerged, while the northernmost one rises a few meters above the surface and has a small lighthouse on top. The lighthouse serves as an important navigation marker for boats and helps divers identify the main entry point.

Divers usually enter the water near the northern pinnacle. Depending on the direction and strength of the current, the dive is done along either the east or west side of the rock. If the current is not too strong, it is possible to circle the first pinnacle and then move south toward the second one.

The second pinnacle has a gentle slope on the north side and ends with a vertical wall on the south side. The top of this wall is at around 5--6 meters, making it a comfortable place for a safety stop even in strong current. Divers can simply hide behind the rock and admire the soft corals covering the upper part of the reef while completing the required three minutes.

On the second pinnacle, you can find some of the largest gorgonian sea fans and barrel sponges among all dive sites around Phuket and Phi Phi. Because the reef is relatively isolated, it attracts large schools of fish such as barracudas, batfish, giant trevally, yellow snappers, tuna, and groupers. The site is also rich in macro life, including seahorses and ghost pipefish.

In addition, Shark Point is home to cuttlefish and squid that often hide in small shelters. The site is well known for its variety of soft corals and anemones covering the rocks. Among this colorful coral landscape, you can find different species of moray eels

• from small fimbriated morays to giant morays and zebra morays.

Bright lionfish, octopuses, clownfish ("Nemo"), parrotfish, giant clams, nudibranchs, and seahorses make this site a paradise for macro photographers. The presence of currents and plankton also attracts larger marine animals such as manta rays and whale sharks.

Shark Point is an ideal dive site that combines beautiful underwater landscapes, rich marine life, and excellent opportunities for macro photography.