The Samaesan Hole, in Pattaya is recognised as one of the most dangerous dive site in the world. Divers require advanced planning and technical skills to manage the risks associated with this extreme dive site.
Also referred to as the “black silty hole of death”, the Samaesan Hole features as the only open ocean dive on Red Bull’s Most Extreme Dive Locations List. The hazards associated with this site include the following…
- Depth: The Samaesan Hole decends down to 85-100m at its deepest part. Hypoxic Trimix is therefore a recommendation for most divers. At these depths, deep air divers will have potentially debilitating nitrogen narcosis to manage as well as closely having to closely monitor for Ox Tox.
- Visibility: Be prepared for poor visibility (5-10m) throughout the dive.
- Darkness: Light does not typically reach below 60m at this site. At the deepest parts the water is an inky black, with turbidity limiting whatever reach your primary light has. Bring a back up torch or two!
- Strong Currents: The area has some of the strongest and unpredictable currents in the gulf of Thailand. So if you get your timing wrong you could end up in Bangkok or Cambodia depending on if the tide is rising or falling.
- Down Currents: The strong currents do not just push you along – they will also pull you down. So watch your depth and ascent/descent to make sure you do not overshoot your planned depth or are getting dragged back down during your ascent.
- Vortex: In addition to being dragged along and down by the current there are instances where you are going to be spun around (horizontal washing machine!). This tends to be from 45m-60m range. In the black water the only reference point you have are the particles (lit up by your torch) flying past your face sideways. The risk of disorientation is high especially if narced.
- Unexploded Bombs: Displayed prominently on the local sea charts you will read the words “Explosives Dumping Ground”. That’s right! The Samaesan Hole is used to dump unused ordinance. With the bombs littering the sea bed it is highly advised that you maintain a controlled descent.
- Shipping Lane: Even if you have successfully managed to get out of the hole your problems may not be over as the dive site is in the middle of a busy commercial shipping lane. It is common to see large LPG vessels crossing the site on their way to/from Rayong. The hulls on these vessels stretch down to your last 4 deco stops so always worth looking on the the horizon before getting in the water.
