Anemone Reef is located around 25 - 27 Km to the east of Chalong Bay, Phuket. Anemone reef is a submerged pinnacle with its top around 5 meters under the water, giving this divesite its Thai name "Hin Jom".

It's English name is similarly straight forward - sea anemones dwel in stunningly dense populations in the shallow areas, presenting an amazing view of the sea's own version of a living carpet.

The pinnacle has a north - south orientation, with a small sloped channel close to the south part. The depth ranges from 5 - 25 meters, and while there is a gental slope down to the sandy bottom on the east side, it is steeper on the west side.

Because of the quantity, quality and variety of marine life that lives in the beautiful soft coral and sea fans that cover the pinnacle, Anemone Reef is the choice site for naturalist courses and is no doubt a favourite among photographers as well.
 
The currents are mild to moderate running in a north - south direction. The current on the north side will be stronger at low tide, and vice versa.

Anemonefish and clownfish are common, as are big schools of snapper that cloud the pinnacle.

Schools of yellowtail barracuda are also often seen circling the rock, together with groupers, oriental sweetlips, juvenile harlequin sweetlips, scorpionfish and soldierfish that flit among corals, cracks and crevices. Leopard sharks, black tip and white tip sharks have been seen here on many occasions.

Small critters such as seahorses are also found here on occasion. At the shallo areas near the mooring line, a couple of ornate ghost pipefish and even an anglerfish have been seen here before.

This is a relatively easy dive. The dive starts from descending down to the side of the pinnacle.

Divers can then choose to go either clockwise or counter clockwise from the bottom, and the dive ends at the top of the pinnacle near the mooring line.


Going around the pinnacle should pose no problems except in strong currents, so try scheduling the dive time near slack tide to get the most out of this site.

It is also advisable to take your time on the dive - you might find a surprise among the cracks or in the dense anemone areas.

Do look away from the rock once in a while, as there is an abundance of fish everywhere, and keep a watch out for leopard sharks that may be asleep at the bottom close to the rock.

At the end of the dive, ascend with caution and beware of boat traffic. Use a safety ballon if you are not at the mooring line.