Overview
Fish Slate earned its name from the flat, slate-like rock formations that create natural ledges and swimming areas for fish. Located near Bharatpur Beach, this shallow site is perfect for beginners while offering enough diversity to keep experienced divers engaged.
Perfect Training Ground
Why Beginners Love Fish Slate
- Shallow Depths: 5-9m maximum
- Clear References: Easy navigation
- Calm Conditions: Usually protected
- Abundant Life: Immediate rewards
- Long Bottom Time: 60+ minutes possible
Reef Topography
Natural Architecture
- Slate Formations: Flat rock terraces
- Swim-Throughs: Safe, wide passages
- Sandy Channels: Between rock formations
- Coral Gardens: Pristine hard coral patches
Marine Life Extravaganza
The Parade of Parrotfish
Fish Slate hosts impressive parrotfish diversity:
- Bumphead Parrotfish: Morning visitors
- Blue-barred Parrotfish: Constant grazers
- Bicolor Parrotfish: Juveniles in shallows
- Bullethead Parrotfish: Large adults
Schooling Species
- Fusiliers: Blue and Yellow varieties
- Snappers: Midnight and Checkered
- Goatfish: Yellow-stripe and Dash-dot
- Surgeonfish: Convict tangs in hundreds
Resident Predators
- Groupers: Honeycomb and Peacock
- Trevally: Bluefin jacks hunting
- Sweetlips: Ribbon and Oriental
- Lionfish: Hunting at dawn/dusk
Current Patterns
Dynamic Conditions
Fish Slate's currents vary with tides:
- Slack Tide: Perfect for beginners
- Mild Current: Gentle drift dives
- Strong Current: Advanced drift diving
- Tidal Changes: Bring different species
Snorkeling Paradise
Surface Attractions
During high tide, snorkelers can enjoy:
- Shallow coral gardens (2-3m)
- Friendly butterflyfish
- Sergeant Major damsels
- Christmas Tree worms
- Safe, calm conditions
Macro Life
Hidden Treasures
Look carefully for:
- Nudibranchs: 10+ species
- Flatworms: Colorful varieties
- Shrimps: Cleaner and Mantis
- Crabs: Decorator and Hermit
- Gobies: Multiple species
Coral Diversity
Healthy Reef System
- Acropora: Table and Staghorn
- Porites: Massive boulders
- Montipora: Encrusting and Foliose
- Pocillopora: Cauliflower coral
- Soft Corals: Small trees and leathers
Photography Opportunities
Wide Angle
- Schooling fish against blue water
- Coral gardens with sunlight
- Diver silhouettes in swim-throughs
Macro
- Clownfish in anemones
- Christmas tree worms
- Nudibranchs on coral
- Cleaner shrimp stations
Environmental Conditions
Year-Round Diving
- Visibility: 10-20m average
- Temperature: 27-30°C
- Currents: Variable (0-1.5 knots)
- Surface: Usually calm
Skills Development
Perfect for Practicing
- Buoyancy control
- Fish identification
- Underwater navigation
- Photography basics
- Current diving (when appropriate)
Best Practices
- Check current before entry
- Use reef hook in strong current
- Stay shallow for longer dives
- Respect the juvenile fish nurseries
