Best Dive Sites In Thailand
Thailand is a country located in the centre of mainland Southeast Asia. It has always been known as Amazing Thailand, the tourism slogan that accurately describes the Thai mentality that many people around the world have come to appreciate. Their great smiles and warm hospitality towards others are commendable.
Not only Thailand has a population of millions that makes one’s trip unforgettable, the vast blue ocean and beautiful islands surrounding this country is something we should never overlook. And scuba diving in Thailand is an activity not to miss.
Thailand is where one could find both the smallest and largest creatures, from the world’s smallest mammal, bumblebee bats to large fishes such as the Whale Sharks. Isn’t it AMAZING!
The Thai waters are home to a wide variety of marine animals. When we think about diving in Thailand, what comes to our minds are wreck dives, drift dive, wall dive that stretches down to 30m! Think colourful soft and hard corals, snappers, groupers, manta rays, reef sharks, and turtles!
Here are some of the top dive sites in Thailand you got to dive in when visiting this amazing tropical country.
Traveling on |
Weather and Climate |
March to June |
Summer ~40ºC and above
High HumidityApril being the hottest month and also Thai New Year, or Songkran. |
July to October |
Rainy; Monsoon
Wet and HumidMonsoon falls on June to September |
November to February |
Relatively Cool
~25ºC – 35ºC
Northern and Northeastern Provinces |
Location |
Andaman Sea (Phuket)
The Andaman Sea has a variety of dive sites where you can see some fantastic marine and wildlife such as corals, eels and sharks. These islands are easily accessible from mainland Thailand.
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Dive Sites
What to See |
- Hun Daeng
soft corals, manta rays, whale sharks
- Hin Mouang
Home to Thailand’s highest wall of soft corals (depth 60m). Different types of anemone, sea fans, colourful coral life. Spot reef sharks and leopard sharks.
- Koh Dok Mai
One of the best wall dives. Stretches 25m. Wide variety of soft corals, many different types of fish and abundance of eels & leopard sharks.
- Hin Bida
Great for divers and snorkelers. Beautiful reef views. Corals, snapper, cuttlefish, zebra sharks, box fish, puffer fish, whale sharks.
- Koh Phi Phi
Great Wall Dive. Soft corals, sponges (in different shapes and colours), moray eels, wrasse, scorpionfish, leopard sharks, reef sharks, glassfish.
- Richelieu Rock
Prime location for whale shark sighting and diving. Huge granite pinnacle. Home to a variety of soft corals, sponges, sea fans, anemones. Groupers, rays, barracudas. (diving here is exclusively from October to May), whale shark sightings commonly happen around Feb, March, April.
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Water Temperature |
27-30°C |
When to Go |
November to April |
Location
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Koh Tao
Koh Tao remains a popular choice among tourists who would like to explore what Thailand has to offer in the underwater world and complete their Open Water Diver Certification. Koh Tao, which means “Turtle Island”, is blessed with white sandy beaches and crystal-clear blue seas. The island offers a range of restaurants and nightlife options in Mae Haad and Sairee Beach to choose from when you are not in your wetsuit. This island features the famous dive site, Chumphon Pinnacles, that welcomes you with anemone fish and colourful coral life.
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Dive Sites
What to See |
- Koh Nang Yuan
Shallow Water; Reef Fish
- Chumphon Pinnacles
Most famous & beautiful. Anemones, Western Clownfish, Grouper, Batfish, Barracuda, schools of Jacks, Whale Shark, leopard sharks, lionfish, rabbitfish and bannerfish
- Ao Leuk
Shallow dive; calm diving. Variety of reef fish (angelfish, butterflyfish, barracuda) turtles.
- HTMS Sattakut
Best shipwreck in Koh Tao, Deep dive; Giant Groupers, Snappers, Butterflyfish, Sweetlips, etc.
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Water Temperature |
27-30°C |
When to Go |
March to September |
Location
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Similan Islands
The Similan Islands consist of 11 islands and have over 20 dive sites to offer. The Thai government declared it as a national park in 1982 and is committed to preserve its stunning ecosystems. It is also well-known for its liveaboard diving trips.
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Dive Sites
What to See |
- West of Eden
One of the best for shallow dives. Incredible coral structures. View of acropora table corals, gorgonian sea fans, glassfish, goatfish, turtles, batfish, pipefish, cowries.
- Elephant Head Rock
Also known as Hin Pusa. Amazing complex of large boulders, creating a maze of tunnels and caverns divers can swim through. Deep dive (50m). Whitetip reef sharks, leopard sharks, purple fire gobies, dwarf, wrasse, jawfish, cuttlefish, mantis shrimp.
- Christmas Point
Great for drift dive. Reef sharks, napoleon wrasses, barracudas, frogfish, ribbon eels, sea fans.
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Water Temperature |
28-30°C |
When to Go |
October to May |
Location
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Koh Tachai
This island is part of the Similan Island National Park. It is famous for its intricate swim-throughs and channels. You can expect to see a wild variety of fish, leopard sharks and oceanic triggerfish.
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Dive Sites
What to See |
- Twin Peaks
Coral, tropical fish, leopard sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtle, manta rays.
- Southern Rock
Excellent for deeper diving in stronger currents. Spot fish.
|
Water Temperature |
26-30°C |
When to Go |
November to March |
Location
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Surin Islands
This is a more remote choice for those who would like to venture off the mainstream route among tourists. You will be rewarded with pristine coral reefs and a chance to see some whale sharks.
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Dive Sites
What to See |
- Hin Rap
Pelagic fish, turtles
- Koh Chi
Shallow dive. Blanketed by hard corals. Stronger currents. Turtles, Pelagic fish (barracuda & tuna), soldierfish, angelfish, reef sharks.
- Koh Torinla
Eastern coast. Low tide. Staghorn corals, porites corals, cardinalfish, humpnose big-eye bream, snappers. Depths 10 – 25m
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Water Temperature |
26-29°C |
When to Go |
December to April |
Location
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Pattaya
One of the most accessible dive sites, a few hours away from Bangkok and easily accessed from Pattaya City. If you are into wreck diving, Pattaya is an excellent choice as it is considered by many as the “Wreck Diving Capital of Thailand”. |
Dive Sites
What to See |
- Koh Khrok
Drift dive.Hard and soft coral reefs. (Staghorn, brain, mushroom. coral table), Hawksbill turtle, pufferfish, parrotfish, wrasse. Shallow waters; good for snorkeling.
- Koh Sak
White sandy beach and calm water. Coral reef. Pipefish, dragon fish, sea horse.
- Koh Larn
The largest of the 3 islands off Pattaya. Coral structure (stretches down up to 25m). Nurse sharks.
|
Water Temperature |
27-30°C |
When to Go |
December to March |
Location
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Koh Chang
A one-hour flight from Bangkok followed by a ferry takes you to Koh Chang, an island with dive sites suitable for divers with all levels of experience. This site features HTMS Chang, one of the largest and newest shipwrecks that was sunk in 2012 and located only four miles away from the island.
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Dive Sites
What to See |
- HTMS Chang
Thailand’s longest shipwreck. Variety of fishes and barracuda.
- Hin Luk Bat
Shoaling fish, moray eels, rays, parrotfish, angelfish, banner dish, barracuda, dolphins. Max dive depth 25m.
- Koh Rang
Multilevel diving site. Up to 30m. Trigger fish, turtles, batfish, groupers, barracuda. Not much coral.
- Hin Kuak Ma
Shallow dives. Max out at 16m. Stone fish, eels, angelfish, stingrays, coral, bamboo shark or turtles.
|
Water Temperature |
28-30°C |
When to Go |
October to May |