Discover Hin Sam Sao – Koh Chang's Hidden Diving Gem

Discover Hin Sam Sao – Koh Chang's Hidden Diving Gem

Imagine diving through an underwater garden where fields of vibrant red sea fans stretch as far as the eye can see, their brilliant colors glowing like underwater flames when sunlight pierces the clear water. Welcome to Hin Sam Sao – a dive site unlike any other in Koh Chang, where four dramatic rock formations (three breaking the surface, one hidden beneath) create a labyrinthine underwater playground that will leave you mesmerized by both its structure and its life.

What makes Hin Sam Sao truly extraordinary isn't just what you see – it's the scale of what you see. This site is famous for its massive fields of sea fans that transform the underwater landscape into a living tapestry of crimson and orange. When conditions are right – clear water, bright sunlight filtering down – these sea fans seem to glow, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that feels more like swimming through a submerged forest than a dive site. But here's the thing: the sea fans are just the backdrop. The real magic happens when you realize you're surrounded by dense schools of fish that move like living clouds, parting around you as you navigate through this underwater wonderland.

Picture this: You descend along the mooring line at the western underwater pinnacle, and immediately you're in a different world. The pinnacle itself drops dramatically to 20 meters, but you'll follow it at a comfortable 14-20 meters (depending on visibility), surrounded by the sheer walls of rock that seem to rise forever. As you head east, the bottom gradually rises to 12 meters, and suddenly you're among the first of the three surface-breaking rock formations. These aren't just rocks – they're underwater cathedrals, their southern faces covered in life, their crevices hiding secrets, their structure creating currents that bring nutrients and attract marine life.

The dive route itself is a masterpiece of underwater navigation. You'll follow the southern side of the rock formations, each one revealing new surprises – schools of fusiliers, batfish drifting overhead, the occasional moray eel peering from its hiding place. When you reach the last rock, you'll turn north, ascending to the shallow northern side (just 3-5 meters deep) where the light is brightest and the colors are most intense. Then you'll turn west again, descending back to 12 meters, completing a perfect circle that brings you back to your starting point – the underwater pinnacle where your adventure began.

Here's what makes Hin Sam Sao special: versatility meets beauty. The site offers something for everyone – shallow areas (3-5 meters on the north side) perfect for beginners and snorkelers, deeper sections (up to 20 meters at the pinnacle) for advanced divers, and everything in between. The southern side averages 12 meters, making it ideal for intermediate divers who want to explore without going too deep. But regardless of your depth, you'll be surrounded by that incredible sea fan forest and those mesmerizing fish schools. Ready to experience what it's like to dive through a living, breathing underwater garden? Hin Sam Sao is waiting – and trust us, your camera will thank you! 🌊🌿

Dive Site Overview

Max Depth	20 meters
Shallow Depth	2-5 meters
Marine Life	Blue-spotted stingrays, white-eyed moray eels, reef fish, hard and soft corals

Don't miss this hidden gem of Koh Chang! Book your next fun dive or scuba diving course with Chang Diving Center today!

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Diver Level for this dive site.

Min. certification level: Junior, Open Water Diver (or equalled) Try Diving possibility: Yes Snorkelling possibility: Yes

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Dive Briefing Example for Dive Professionals – Hin Sam Sao

This is a comprehensive dive briefing template/example for dive professionals. Use this as a reference guide to structure your own briefings. Customize the placeholders (marked with square brackets) with your specific information, guide names, and current conditions. This ensures a safe, organized, and professional dive briefing experience.

1. Dive Site Name & Introduction

Hello everyone and welcome to Hin Sam Sao! Hin Sam Sao is one of Koh Chang's most unique dive sites, featuring four dramatic rock formations – three that break the surface and one hidden underwater pinnacle. This site is famous for its massive fields of sea fans that glow like underwater flames in clear, sunny conditions, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that feels like swimming through a submerged forest.

My name is [Your Name] and I will be your dive guide today. I've been diving this site for [X] years and I'm excited to share this incredible underwater garden with you!

2. Site Description & Dive Route

We have excellent diving conditions today at Hin Sam Sao. Visibility is typically good, and we have calm surface conditions with minimal current.

• Maximum Depth: 20 meters (at the western underwater pinnacle)
• Average Depth: 12 meters (southern side), 3-5 meters (northern side)
• Dive Route: We'll descend along the mooring line at the western underwater pinnacle down to 7 meters, then follow the pinnacle at a depth of 14-20 meters (depending on visibility). From there, we'll head east as the bottom gradually rises to 12 meters, reaching the first of the three surface-breaking rock formations. We'll follow the southern side of these rock formations (averaging 12 meters deep) until we reach the last rock. Then we'll turn north, ascending to the shallow northern side (about 5 meters deep) where the light is brightest. Finally, we'll turn west again, descending back to 12 meters, completing a perfect circle that brings us back to the underwater pinnacle where we started. We'll then begin our ascent back to the mooring line.
• Site Features: Four rock formations – three visible above water, one underwater pinnacle in the west. The pinnacle drops to 20 meters, creating dramatic vertical walls. The southern side averages 12 meters, while the northern side is very shallow at 3-5 meters.
• Weather Conditions: [Current conditions - e.g. "Clear water, bright sunlight, minimal current"]

The site's unique structure creates a circular dive route that maximizes your time with the incredible sea fan fields and dense fish schools. The varying depths (from 3-5 meters on the north side to 20 meters at the pinnacle) make this site perfect for divers of all experience levels.

What You Can See at Hin Sam Sao

Hin Sam Sao is famous for its unique underwater landscape and abundant marine life. During your dive, you can expect to see:

• Massive Sea Fan Fields: The site's signature feature – huge fields of sea fans that glow brilliant red and orange when sunlight filters through clear water. These create an otherworldly atmosphere that feels like swimming through a submerged forest
• Dense Fish Schools: Impressive schools of fish move like living clouds throughout the dive, parting around you as you navigate through the underwater wonderland
• Rock Formation Life: The three surface-breaking rocks and the underwater pinnacle are covered in life – schools of fusiliers, batfish drifting overhead, moray eels peering from crevices, and various reef fish
• Shallow Reef Life: On the northern side (3-5 meters), you'll find colorful coral gardens perfect for macro photography and observation
• Occasional Visitors: Blue-spotted stingrays, white-eyed moray eels, and various reef inhabitants are commonly spotted

For a complete guide to the marine life you might encounter while diving in Koh Chang, check out our Marine Life Guide. This comprehensive resource covers species identification, behavior, and the best spots to find various marine creatures.

3. Your Guide's Role & Positioning

I will be leading this dive and wearing [Color] and [Color] fins with a [Description of equipment/identifying feature]. You can easily identify me by [specific visual identifier - e.g. "my bright yellow BCD with the Chang Diving logo"].

[If applicable] Our Divemaster [Name] will be positioned at the back of the group, keeping an eye on everyone. [Name] will be wearing [Color] fins and will use [signal device - e.g. "this tank banger"] to get your attention if needed.

Important: Stay close to the group and maintain visual contact with your buddy and guide at all times. If you need to communicate, use standard hand signals or get my attention by tapping on your tank.

4. Entry & Exit Techniques

Boat Entry (Giant Stride)

We'll enter the water from the side of the dive boat with a Giant Stride. Here's what you should remember:

• Pre-Dive Safety Check: Complete your BIG WHALES REALLY ARE FUN check before entering the water
• BCD Inflation: Fully inflate your BCD before entry
• Regulator: Keep your regulator in your mouth
• Mask: Make sure your mask is properly fitted
• Entry: Step forward with one leg, then the other, keeping legs together
• After Entry: Clear the area immediately, signal OK, and swim to the mooring line

Boat Exit (Ladder)

After completing your safety stop and surfacing:

• Swim back to the ladder on the side of the boat
• Stand on the ladder and remove your fins (hand them to the crew)
• Climb up the ladder with your regulator still in your mouth
• CRITICAL: Never position yourself directly under another diver climbing the ladder
• Once on deck, move away from the entry/exit area

Dinghy Entry (Backroll)

If we're using a dinghy, we'll enter with a backroll entry:

• Sit on the edge of the dinghy with your back to the water
• Complete your pre-dive safety check
• Hold your mask and regulator in place
• On three, lean back and roll into the water
• Clear the area and signal OK

5. Dive Procedures & Turn-Around Points

To ensure we have enough air for a safe return and safety stop:

• Turn-Around Point: We'll turn the dive around when you reach 130 bar (or 1900 PSI). This gives us more than enough air reserve to safely return to the entry point and complete our safety stop.
• Air Monitoring: Check your air gauge frequently throughout the dive. Don't wait until you're low on air to signal – communicate early!
• Safety Stop: At 5 meters depth, we'll conduct a swimming safety stop for 3 minutes. This means we'll swim slowly while maintaining 5 meters depth, rather than holding onto a line. The shallow northern side (3-5 meters) provides perfect conditions for this.
• No-Decompression Limits: For this depth range (5-20 meters), your no-decompression limit varies. We'll keep the dive well within safe limits, typically staying around 12-20 meters for the main part of the dive.

Remember: The most important rule in diving is to never hold your breath. Breathe normally and continuously throughout the entire dive.

6. Emergency Procedures

While we don't expect any problems, it's important that everyone knows what to do in an emergency:

Buddy Separation

• If you become separated from your buddy, search for 1 minute while staying at the same depth
• If you can't find your buddy, make a controlled safety ascent to the surface
• Wait at the surface – we'll reunite there
• DO NOT continue diving alone

Out of Air / Low on Air

• Low on Air: Signal immediately – we'll end the dive and ascend together
• Out of Air: Signal "out of air" and use your buddy's alternate air source or make a controlled emergency swimming ascent (CESA)
• Always signal problems early – don't wait until it's an emergency!

Emergency Contacts & Equipment

• Police: 191
• Tourist Police: 1155
• Emergency Medical Service: 1669
• DAN International: +1-919-684-9111 (24/7 emergency hotline for dive emergencies)
• Recompression Chamber: Koh Chang Hospital, Phone: 039 521-657 or 039 586-131
• Suspected DCS: See our DCS Field Evaluation Slate (PDF) for assessment procedures
• Emergency Oxygen: Located in the transport box on the right of the captain's seat in the captain's cabin
• First Aid Kit: Located in the transport box on the right of the captain's seat in the captain's cabin
• Emergency Action Plan: For detailed emergency procedures, see our Emergency Plan Guide

7. Hand Signal Review

Hand signals can vary between countries and certification agencies, so let's make sure we're all on the same page. Here are the essential signals we'll be using today:

• OK: [Description/visual] - Used to ask "Are you OK?" and respond "I'm OK"
• Problem: [Description/visual] - Hand waved side to side to indicate a problem
• Up: [Description/visual] - Thumbs up means "I want to go up"
• Down: [Description/visual] - Thumbs down means "I want to go down"
• Air Pressure: [Description/visual] - Show numbers with fingers (e.g. "I have 120 bar")
• Low on Air: [Description/visual] - Hand across throat
• Out of Air: [Description/visual] - Hand across throat, then point to regulator
• Safety Stop: [Description/visual] - Hand horizontal, palm down, at 5 meters
• Stop/Hold: [Description/visual] - Hand up, palm forward
• Look/Point: [Description/visual] - Point at something interesting

Practice Question: Can you show me how you would communicate that you still have 120 bar of air pressure?

📋 Download Complete Hand Signal Guide (PDF)

8. Roster & Buddy Check (Pairing)

Let's make sure everyone is here and properly paired:

• Roster Check: [Go through names] - Is everyone here?
• Buddy Pairs:
  • [Name] and [Name] - you'll be buddies
  • [Name] and [Name] - you'll be buddies
  • [Name] - you'll be my buddy today (for less experienced divers)
• Buddy Check: Before entering the water, do a final check with your buddy – make sure all equipment is secure and functioning

Note: Buddy pairs are typically matched by experience level and certification. If you'd like to dive with a specific person, let me know now.

9. Environmental Awareness & Marine Hazards

Hin Sam Sao is a protected dive site, and we must respect the marine environment:

• General Rule: Look but don't touch. Avoid contact with all marine life, including corals, sea fans, sponges, and fish
• Marine Life to Be Aware Of:
  • Sea Fans: Beautiful but fragile – maintain good buoyancy and avoid touching these delicate structures. They glow brilliantly in clear, sunny conditions
  • Lionfish: Beautiful but venomous – maintain a safe distance (at least 2 meters)
  • Moray Eels: Usually shy but can be territorial – don't reach into holes or crevices in the rock formations
  • Fire Coral: Can cause skin irritation – avoid contact
  • Sea Urchins: Sharp spines – watch your hands and knees, especially in shallow areas
  • Stingrays: Blue-spotted stingrays are common here – maintain respectful distance and avoid stepping on them
• Buoyancy Control: Maintain excellent buoyancy to avoid damaging the sea fans, corals, or stirring up sediment. The shallow northern side (3-5 meters) requires extra care
• Photography: If taking photos, be especially careful around the sea fan fields. Use a camera housing or handle, and maintain good buoyancy
• Conservation: Take only photos, leave only bubbles. Never remove anything from the site, especially sea fans or corals

Remember: We are guests in their home. Let's be respectful visitors and leave the place exactly as we found it. The sea fan fields are particularly fragile – one careless fin kick can damage years of growth.

10. Pre-Dive Safety Check

Before every dive, we use the acronym "BIG WHALES REALLY ARE FUN" to make sure nothing is forgotten. For a detailed guide on why safety checks are important and how to do them correctly, check out our Safety Check Guide:

• B - BCD: Check that your BCD inflates and deflates correctly. Test the power inflator and dump valves.
• I - Inflation: Make sure your BCD fits properly and all straps are secure.
• G - Gauges: Check your SPG (submersible pressure gauge), depth gauge, and computer. Make sure they're working and readable.
• W - Weights: Check that your weight belt or integrated weights are secure and properly positioned.
• H - Hose: Check all hoses for kinks or damage. Make sure your regulator hoses are routed correctly.
• A - Air: Turn on your air, check your tank pressure, and take 2-3 breaths from your regulator.
• L - Releases: Test all quick releases on your BCD, weight system, and any other equipment.
• E - Everything: Check once more that everything is in place and working.
• S - Snaps: Make sure all buckles and fasteners are secure.
• R - Releases: (Second check) Verify that all releases are functioning.
• E - Everything: Final check – is everything ready?
• A - Air: Final air check – regulator working, tank pressure good.
• L - Look: Look around – is your buddy ready? Is the entry area clear?
• L - Listen: Listen for final instructions from your guide.
• Y - You: Are YOU ready? Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the dive!
• A - Again: One more quick check – everything safe?
• R - Ready: Are you ready to dive?
• E - Everything: Final everything check.
• F - Fun: Remember – diving is FUN! Relax and enjoy!
• U - Underwater: Ready to go underwater?
• N - Now: Let's dive NOW!

Pro Tip: Do this check with your buddy. It's a great way to catch problems before entering the water and helps build confidence.

Questions? If you have any questions or concerns, please ask now - I'm here to help! Remember, there are no stupid questions when it comes to dive safety. Let's have a safe and amazing dive! 🌊🤿

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