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DIVE SITES:
North Twin Island
Below the entry point is a wide plateau at 20 m (65ft), covered by numerous hard and soft corals, crinoids and small reef fishes. Eggshell and Tiger Cowrie Shells sit on display, while small groups of goatfish fidget about between the rocks and over the coral substrate bottom. Juvenile Harlequin Sweetlips are in evidence, and around one particularly compact cluster of seafans, schools of Checkerboard Wrasse and small fish fry congregate. There are larger table corals and porite mounds dotted with multi-colored plume worms. The waters away from the island appear to be part of one of the many routes for Burmese Barracudas and small Whitetip Reef Sharks. The barracuda in particular often come in close to check out divers and on occasion escort them round the site.
South Twin Island
Numerous large scattered boulders abound, covered with elk and stag horn corals as well as many small colorful reef fish including Queen Triggerfish and juvenile Moorish Idols. The rocks not only provide shelter in strong currents but also play home to several Painted Crayfish who have maid their lair under one of the ledges. Away from these configurations, large schools of Mackerel can be seen passing by, along with jacks, tuna and trivially.
Black Rock
This is a tremendously exciting dive site, with a never ending stream of sharks of different sizes and species. It is primarily a wall dive, underlined with small boulders. This is the place to observe larger sharks such as Scalloped Hammerhead, Bull and Grey Reef. The sharks patrol waters away from the rocky mass, passing through and between patch reefs and boulders that have settled to form wide U-shaped gullies on the seabed. Large barracudas provide a wake-up call for any divers thinking of investigation the rocks. Reef fish are prolific all around this open ocean site, but this is not a place for anyone who feels uncomfortable with sharks.
Little Torres Island
This is a highly enjoyable dive, with a rich diversity of marine life and good opportunities for seeing sharks and rays. Grey Reef, Black and Whitetip Sharks all frequently cruise by, while rays include large Black-spot ribbon-tailed Stingray and Black Marbled. Heading north from the entry point, an introductory area of soft corals and sea fans prepares divers for the glorious coral gardens ahead. At 22 m (73ft) there are numerous coral boulders and mounds and coral laminates; brain corals, lesser and greater star corals, tables of stag and elkhorn, small gorgonias and sea whipes are all represented. Titan Triggerfish race around off the reef, Blue and Orange Starfish laze on the rocks and Black-banded Sea Snakes wriggle past. Sergent Majors, and crayfish concealed in narrow crevices.
The Burma Banks
Big Bank
The bank covers an area of almost 2 sq. km (0.8sq miles). Its plateau is the deepest of the four banks', averaging 18 m (60ft), with sides sloping down to 30 m (100ft), then a wall down to 300 m (1000ft). The elevated section of this site is scattered with coral mounds, some rising to 12 m (40ft) and being 5 m (16ft) across. Some are divided by impressive gullies and canyons wide enough for divers to pass through; seafans adorn their walls, and lesser star corals provide an undulating floor. Numerous sharks roam this site. Tawny Nurse Sharks are the most common.
Rainbow Reef
This site has possibly the highest population of hard-coral cover of all the banks, with some magnificent table corals spreading to 5 m (16ft) or more in diameter. There are also huge coral mounds and boulders on top of the platform, as well as patches of Elkhorn and Staghorn coral and Gorgonian seafans. The fish life here is typical of the area,
Silvertip Bank
Silvertip Bank covers about 1 sq. km (0.4sq miles). the bank is a flat platform with patches of dense hard corals and coral heads, as well as rock grottoes and tunnels where soft corals predominate. The main attraction at this site, however, is its sharks - and there are plenty of them. Reef sharks here include Silvertips, Whitetips, Grey and Nurse Sharks and Hammerheads. Enormous Whale Sharks are sometimes seen.
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