Located just South of Krabi Province, Trang is the newest diving area to open up in Southern Thailand.

Although not as commercially developed as some of the other sites around the country which makes it more difficult to get to some of Trang's diving spots are decidedly world-class.

Certainly, when conditions are right, the pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang triumph over anything in the Similan Islands.

Hin Daeng is easily found since it protrudes about three meters above the surface. Although not very impressive topside, underwater the rock is huge.

The Southern side descends straight down to over 60 meters forming the most radical vertical drop in Thailand's seas. The wall is dotted with light growths of soft corals and a few sea fans, but is otherwise devoid of life.

On the Eastern side where the slope is more gentle, two long ridges descend into the blueness and if the currents are favorable it is possible to swim along these ridges down to 40 meters or more. Here the soft coral becomes more lush and tall, and huge schools of jacks sweep past the ridge, surrounding the diver with a shimmering wall of silver.

Ascending to the shallows we see needle fish, or long toms, skip along the surface. Barracudas stalk their prey through the clear water. Swimming between the three large rocks that form the surface view of Hin Daeng, large schools of fusiliers dart to and fro as if they are afraid of the water surging through the channels.