Myanmar(Burma) authorities have declared Western Rocky Island off-limits to boats for "security reasons" since late 1998 and
until 2001, Western Rocky, a small limestone island with several nearby outcroppings, offers Fascinating underwater topography, big-animal potential and a plethora of invertebrate be circumnavigated on a single tank, although it would take many dives to see everything this site has to offer.
After investigating the perimeter, swim east-northeast from the island's eastern tip. You'll cross a narrow sand channel before reaching the first of two groups of pinnacles. The nearest group consists of four spires connected by a common base at 24m; the more distant group is a pair of somewhat larger rocks with a similar structure. Both groups reach well above the surface. East-northeast beyond the base of the more distant pinnacles is a huge field of orange fan corals, starting at about 30m deep and continuing beyond recreational diving limits. The nearly vertical sides of the pinnacles and the main island are ideal for multilevel dives.
Like most limestone formations, these structures are honeycombed with crevices that provide superb cover for shy-reef creatures. A large tunnel runs completely through the island, and there are several smaller caverns and a huge archway. The most obvious entrance to the tunnel is at 21m on the island's south leads to a roomy inner chambers. Here a shell-and-rubble bottom slopes uphill slightly before dropping down to 24m, where the chamber narrows to fairly small exit on the north side of the island.
Several species of crab and shrimp, murex and cowrie shells, big eye snappers and robust fusiliers and even spiny lobsters live within the tunnel. The lobsters are crucial prey for the large tawny nurse sharks that sometimes inhabit the tunnel. If you are lucky, you may get a look at these amiable creatures, some of which measure nearly 3.5m long.
While at least a glimmer of daylight is usually visible from any point inside the tunnel, this is an advanced cavern dive because of its depth and distance between openings. Be sure to keep your fins off the bottom to avoid kicking up silt___ even the easiest cavern dive can become a nightmare if visibility is reduced. To further ensure safety and enjoyment, no more than six divers should be inside at a time
Regardless of whether or not you enter the tunnel, this site has a wealth of marine life , with something to see at every depth. In deeper areas, stingrays, white tip reef and leopard sharks lie on the sand bottom, while grey reef and spinner sharks sometimes patrol in the distance. You'll see plenty of reef fish as well, including blue-ringed angelfish, and many varieties of moray eels.
Invertebrates are also well represented, with a wide assortment of nudibranchs, shellfish, feather stars, anemones and hermit crabs. On occasion, even rarities like clawed reef lobsters, harlequin shrimp and frog-fish are encountered. While only limited hard coral remains after years of blast fishing, large portions with orange cup corals and small, multihued soft corals. It is still an extremely since site.
Top
