Hong Kong :: Tsim Chau Group

About the Dive Site
There are two small islands that make up the Tsim Chau Group. The diving is in shallower areas and rocky parts of these islands. The deeper water usually finishes up at a sand and mud bottom with very little to see.

The Northern Rocks
This dive is around the rock reef to the north of the largest island. The reef is about 300 meters away from the shore. Shoals of medium to small sized fish congregate around these rocks. There are also lobsters found amongst these rocks.

The Western Side
This dive area covers both the western sides of both islands. There are usually a lot of fish visible and a lot of small sea creatures amongst the rocks. Turtles have sometime been sighted during dives in this area.

The Channel
This dive starts at either end of the small channel between the islands. Normally the slight current flowing determines the direction. There is a very interesting variety of sea life to be found here, as well as scattered patches of soft coral.

Local visibility varies as well with this area not necessarily being the same as other dive sites in Hong Kong.

It is best to allow about 10 days for this area to settle down after a typhoon, otherwise you may not see very much.

Hazards & Warnings
The normal warnings for diving in Hong Kong apply to this area.

This area is prone to large swells that may be larger than the water movement visible from the surface.

There have been numerous reports of reasonable sized sharks being sighted in this and the northern section of Tai Long Sai Wan. Normal shark precautions should always be applied when diving in this area.

Getting to the Tsim Chau Group
You need a large private boat to get to this site. The closest convenient pier is either at Pak Sha Wan (Hebe Haven) or Sai Kung. It is important to understand that an easterly wind will normally stir up this area making it rough for diving and boating there.