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Hong Kong is a bit different to most of the other dive sites in Asia. The visibility under water often isn't good as the water is cooler and there is less to see. That said it doesn't mean that Hong Kong should be overlooked as a diving destination as it still holds a few treats of its own. There are many factors that influence diving in Hong Kong. The area is basically sub-tropical. This means that some sort of thermal protection may be required when diving here. In the winter months a semi-dry or dry diving suit is probably the best type of exposure protection to have. A 3-5mm wet suit should be sufficient to make the diving comfortable during the warmer months.
Hong Kong is surrounded by sea. The approximate sea surface area is 1650 sq km, and dotted with some 200 islands. The rocky reefs and coral communities of Hong Kong shelter a diverse and exquisite range of fish and marine fauna. Over 300 species of reef fish and 80 species of corals (hard & soft) have so far been recorded. If you go scuba diving in Hong Kong you will come across rich beds of soft coral, a multitude of small creatures and reef fish, and the occasional pelagic and patches of hard coral. In some areas you might come across a lot of sea anemones and their attendant clownfish; brilliant butterfly fish, lion fish and the occasional clusters of small wrasse, but you rarely see bigger fish, either solo or in schools.
Underwater visibility in Hong Kong does vary and is subject to prevailing wind and tide conditions. Depths also vary from shallow 5-10m dives, to deep 20-30m dives. There are a variety of artificial reefs and offshore islands to dive on. Small coral communities can also be found along the eastern coastline, which make ideal snorkeling spots. But inspite of certain drawbacks the divers from around the world keep coming back. The diving operators provide high-quality tuition and weekend trips, and in recent years have built a solid technical diving business as a supplement to their more regular courses. Even night diving facilities are available.
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