火石洲 (西) Basalt Island (West)

Type:

Scuba DivingFreedivingSnorkeling

Entry:⚓Boat Entry

Difficulty:Advanced

Tags:

PinnacleReef

About This Dive Spot

Basalt Island (West) is a popular Hong Kong dive site located about 13 km from the piers at Sai Kun and Pak Sha Wan. It offers a mix of shallow features and deeper sections, with some areas extending beyond 20 m and better suited to experienced divers. A dense anemone garden sits around 4–9 m and hosts many anemonefish. Below roughly 10 m, divers can find varied marine life over sandy and muddy bottoms.

Planning details

Reported depth and seasonality.

Reported depth

4m - 20m

Depth note

Anemone garden around 4–9 m; deeper areas can extend beyond 20 m.

Safety & access

Hazards, restrictions, and required precautions.

Safety notes

Some deeper water areas are better suited to advanced divers.

Local intel

Community notes to help plan your visit.

Tailored notes for different activities.

Scuba

Includes shallow areas around 4–9 m and deeper sections that can go beyond 20 m.

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Spots Near 火石洲 (西) Basalt Island (West)

📍 4.8 km

東果洲 East Ninepin Island

⚓

East Ninepin Island offers multiple dive spots with shallow areas around 5–10 m and deeper sections extending beyond 20 m. It is reachable in about an hour by boat from Sai Kung Pier and Hebe Haven Pier. The shallows are described as strong for macro life, with nudibranchs and frogfish reported. Deeper water features a soft coral garden with a noticeably different seascape.

📍 6.0 km

東霸 East Dam

Not Set

East Dam sits by the High Island Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Hong Kong by storage volume, and is characterized by a shoreline of large anchor-shaped concrete blocks. Diving here is typically around 11–13 m, with sightings that can include nudibranchs, lobsters, and occasional groups of barracuda moving through the area.

📍 7.0 km

滘西洲

⚓

Kau Sai Chau is an island dive area a short distance from Sai Kung, with two main sites: one at Kau Sai Wan near Jin Island, and another at Whiskey Bay toward Sharp Island. The shallows feature coral in about 1–3 m of water, leading to sandy bottom around 5–6 m. From roughly 6–10 m, juvenile fish schools are commonly seen, and frogfish may also be encountered.

📍 8.0 km

牛尾洲 Shelter Island

⚓

Shelter Island is a shallow dive site reachable in about {{ 30 | duration:minutes }}utes from Sai Kung Pier and Pak Sha Wan. It is described as suitable for beginner divers, with the best coral area found in very shallow water. The coral is mainly around 3–5 m, while areas deeper than about 6 m transition to a sandy or muddy bottom. The site is also popular for snorkeling due to the shallow depth.

📍 8.7 km

小棕林 Little Palm Beach

🏖️

Little Palm Beach in the Clear Water Bay area of Sai Kung is a well-known site for both scuba diving and snorkeling. It is described as suitable for beginners and commonly used for training. From the beach you can walk in to a sandy bottom that extends to around 5 m depth, with hard corals and small reef life present.

📍 9.3 km

燕子岩 Yin Tsz Ngam

⚓

Yin Tsz Ngam is a wreck dive site reached from Sai Kung Pier, with travel time described as a little over an hour. The ship sank in the 1960s while transporting cement and now lies broken into two main sections. The top of the wreck sits in shallow water around 6 m, with the lower portion reaching about 14 m. After decades underwater it has become habitat for a variety of marine life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best entry point at 火石洲 (西) Basalt Island (West)?

Entry at 火石洲 (西) Basalt Island (West) is detailed in the spot description above. Look for specific landmarks, access paths, and any tide or condition requirements. Local divers often share updated entry tips in their dive logs.

What conditions are best for diving 火石洲 (西) Basalt Island (West)?

Optimal conditions at 火石洲 (西) Basalt Island (West) depend on several factors including tide, wind, and season. Check recent dive logs for current condition reports and patterns. Generally, calmer seas and high tide provide better visibility and easier entry.

What is the maximum depth and typical visibility at 火石洲 (西) Basalt Island (West)?

Depth and visibility information for 火石洲 (西) Basalt Island (West) can be found in the spot details and recent dive logs. Conditions can vary significantly based on weather, tide, and season. Always plan your dive according to current conditions and your certification level.

Are there any safety considerations or local etiquette at 火石洲 (西) Basalt Island (West)?

When diving 火石洲 (西) Basalt Island (West), respect local regulations, marine life, and other water users. Be aware of any specific hazards like currents or boat traffic mentioned in the spot description. Follow Leave No Trace principles and local diving etiquette.