Koh Sac is a small island with almost a kidney, located directly north of Koh Larn. It is very popular among a large number of Asian tourists who come to Pattaya, and the waters can be very busy, especially in the morning. From noon, tourists usually leave, leaving divers and snorkelers to enjoy the beautiful bay and abundant corals. This bay is well protected from prevailing winds for most of the year, and the water is calm and clear.
There are numerous dive sites throughout the island, most of which are in the range of 3–15 meters, although on the east side there are several deer corals at a distance of about 26 meters. The northeast corner begins with pure white sand that reaches the usual range of hard corals as you approach the island. Here, the corals are at depths of 1 to 6 m, and as you get around the corner, they progress deeper, to 18 meters. This corner is home to several Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles, as well as numerous gray nursing sharks. Sharks, however, are difficult to find, as they are usually very shy, and divers should look for them, usually under coral heads.
As you get around the corner and the depth increases, there is plenty of coral whip abundance, barrel-shaped sponges — some soft corals and gorgonians. Once around this angle, corals continued right around the southern coast of the island.
An interesting dive site, when you approach Koh Sac from Pattaya, can be found right next to a small cliff about 100 meters deep at 26 meters. This area consists of predominantly soft corals and hydroids on a flat sandy bottom and is home to numerous colonies of sea horses, pipe fish and dragon fish. Unfortunately, the diver must catch this dive at the right time of the day, when all the soft corals are open to truly enjoy a variety of beautiful pastel and fluorescent colors.
In the sandy bay of Ko Sak, when you head northwest from the island, no coral is mentioned. Some very unusual species live in this area, including the aforementioned two, as well as sea horses, small fish with pipes, short-barreled urchins, urns with dollar dollars, a star with fish, and ribbon tubes. Flat fish, spider crabs, young Octopus and Pericula shrimp.
In the western part of the bay there are large areas of shallow coral (2–4 meters) with abundant marine life that are suitable for both the snorkeler and the diver, although snorkelers should beware of large amounts of surface movement, water skiing, banana boats and speed boats. The best time here is from midday, when hordes of tourists leave the island to return to Pattaya. It is unfortunate that we do not have any rules that apply to protect these corals and visitors viewing them.
Moving further to the northwestern corner of Koh Sak Island, leading from the corals in the bay, the corals extend deeper to about 15 meters, like divers around the corner. The corals here are in excellent condition, and the area is classified as a huge Boulder-Bommies, as well as Tiered Staghorn, Plate, Encrusting, Brain and Mushroom corals. Sea life is abundant and includes various sleighs, banana fish, copper butterfly butterflies, Banthais butterflies, puppets of all types, puffers, buoys, jacks and fusiliers. There are also a few turtles. Gray shark nurses, small seas and blue spotted rays.
This is a great site for divers (beginners and experienced) and snorkel enthusiasts.
