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Cambodia dive conditions, depth ranges, and visibility guide
Dive Spot Guide•
Finger Nail (Marine Park)
Macro-focused coral reef in a Gulf of Thailand MPA, best for critter hunting.
Local operator required
Boat-access site; a local dive operator from Koh Sdach or the surrounding area is required to reach and guide the dive.
Boat-access reef within Cambodia's MPA network; guide recommended for macro hunting; best conditions November through May.
About Finger Nail (Marine Park)
Finger Nail (Marine Park) is a shallow-to-mid coral reef site within Cambodia's network of Gulf of Thailand Marine Protected Areas, built around a mixed hard and soft coral framework on a gentle slope. The reef topography includes bommie-style structures and rubble patches that make ideal habitat for cryptic and small-bodied species, drawing divers primarily for macro photography. Access is by boat with a guide recommended to navigate the reef layout and locate the small creatures tucked into coral fingers and rubble zones. Conditions vary with the seasons: the dry-season window from November through May brings the clearest water and most settled sea state, while the wet season can reduce visibility and bring stronger surface conditions.
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Research Estimate At Finger Nail (Marine Park)
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
CoralMixed health
Aquatic LifeAverage variety
Where Is Finger Nail (Marine Park)?
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Community sourced coordinates.
Finger Nail (Marine Park) Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
5m - 18m
Depth Note
Reef structure extends to approximately 18m based on available context; shallow rubble and coral gardens likely start from around 5m.
Best Season
November through May (dry season) offers the best conditions with settled seas and good visibility. June through October brings southwest monsoon swells and reduced visibility.
Typical Conditions
Gentle reef gradient with mixed hard and soft coral; macro-heavy substrate with rubble and bommie structures. Conditions are generally calm in the dry season. Current is typically mild at this shallow-to-mid profile site.
Safety & Access At Finger Nail (Marine Park)
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat traffic
Safety Notes
A guide is strongly recommended at this site to navigate the reef layout and to locate macro subjects safely. Boat traffic may be present during peak season. Check conditions before entry as wet-season swells can affect the surface.
Legal Notes
Site is within Cambodia's Marine Protected Area network. Standard MPA rules apply: no anchoring on coral, no collecting of marine organisms. Verify current access rules with the local operator before diving.
Local Intel For Finger Nail (Marine Park)
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
The reef runs from shallow coral gardens down to around 18m along a gentle slope. Plan the dive along the coral structure, spending time on rubble and crevice zones where macro life concentrates. Macro photography and slow paced exploration are the primary draw. Guide use is recommended to maximise sighting success.
Freediving
Shallow coral gardens above 10m are accessible for freedivers; the site is calm enough in the dry season for relaxed breath-hold exploration of the reef top. Buoy and guide recommended given boat access site.
Snorkeling
The shallower reef sections are suitable for snorkelling when conditions are calm. Best approached from the dive boat in the dry season; surface conditions in the wet season make snorkelling less practical.
Recent Logged Visits At Finger Nail (Marine Park)
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Finger Nail (Marine Park)
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
No community dive data has been logged here yet. Be the first to record a dive and seed the averages.
