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Welcome to the aquatic paradise of Thailand, where vibrant coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life beckon adventure seekers to explore the depths of its mesmerizing underwater world. In this Complete Guide to Diving in Thailand, embark on a journey through the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, discovering the country’s top dive sites, marine sanctuaries, and hidden gems. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced diver, this guide promises to unveil the enchanting realm beneath the waves, offering insights into the best dive spots and essential tips for an unforgettable underwater experience.
Everything You Need To Know About Diving in Thailand!
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Where to go scuba diving in Thailand
For scuba diving in Thailand, explore the East near Bangkok, with sites like Pattaya and Koh Chang, known for wreck dives and easy access. In Southern Thailand, near Phuket, top destinations include the Similan Islands, Koh Phi Phi, and Richelieu Rock, famous for clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life. Both regions offer diverse diving experiences.
What is scuba diving like in Thailand?
Thailand’s tropical climate offers excellent diving conditions year-round. With air temperatures ranging between 85-95°F (30-35°C) and water temperatures averaging 84°F (29°C), divers can enjoy consistently warm and comfortable conditions throughout the year.
Great Scuba Diving Destinations
You couldn’t be more spoilt for choice in Thailand, with many great locations offering dive packages for qualified divers and options for you to take PADI courses. With Pattaya being one of them, Where our dive shop is based, it was the birthplace of scuba diving in Thailand hosting the very first dive center due to its very close proximity and ease of access from Bangkok. Thailand offers a diverse range of scuba diving destinations along its east and south coasts, each showcasing unique underwater landscapes and marine biodiversity.
East Coast Diving Thailand
Close to Bangkok on the east coast, Pattaya, Samesan, and Rayong are popular diving spots. Pattaya boasts accessible wreck diving, while Samesan and Rayong offer quieter, less-crowded dive sites with healthy coral reefs.
Southern Dive Locations of Thailand
Moving south, Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand is renowned for its vibrant marine life and clear waters, making it a great destination for both beginners and experienced divers.
In the Andaman Sea, Koh Tao is famous as a diving hub, ideal for dive certifications and underwater exploration. Phuket, with its easy accessibility and diverse dive sites, including the famous Phi Phi Islands, offers a range of dive experiences suitable for all levels.
The Similan Islands, farther northwest from Phuket, are a top-tier diving destination with pristine reefs, rich marine life, and excellent visibility. Liveaboard trips from Phuket and Khao Lak provide opportunities to explore multiple dive sites in this stunning marine national park.
Overall, Thailand’s scuba diving destinations cater to divers of all levels, promising unforgettable underwater adventures amid stunning tropical environments.
Pattaya Scuba Diving
Pattaya is a coastal resort town, located only an hour or so away from Bangkok Airport. By far the quickest access to scuba diving in Thailand and is the most vibrant city in Thailand. The diving in Pattaya is conducted around 3 main diving areas. Pattaya near islands, Ko Larn, Ko Sak, Ko Khrok. The Pattaya Far Islands of Ko Rin, Ko Phai, and Ko Manwhichai and the Samae San Islands. Pattaya is also renowned for its reputation as one of the best diver training grounds due to some areas presenting currents and various water conditions. Divers who get their PADI diving license or continue their scuba diving education in Pattaya will be well prepared for a majority of dive conditions and be able to dive anywhere in the world with ease.
Wreck Diving in Pattaya
Scuba Diving In Pattaya is famed as the wreck diving Captial, with its numerous wrecks, more than anywhere in Thailand: the HTMS Kut, HTMS Khram, HTMS Mataphon, and the SS Sudhadib / Hardeep shipwreck.
Sea Turtles & Seahorses
The Pattaya Area is an epicentre of Sea Turtles and Seahorses. As a result, our dive center feeds back data to iSeahorse and TaoTalay Turtle projects. If you want to see these amazing creatures dive in Pattaya.
Koh Chang Scuba Diving
Diving in Koh Chang, Thailand offers a captivating underwater adventure in the East Coast waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Situated 4 hours from Pattaya near the Cambodian border, Koh Chang is the second-largest island in Thailand and boasts an array of vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.
The island’s diving spots cater to all levels of experience, from beginners to seasoned divers. Popular dive sites include Hin Luk Bat, where divers can explore rocky pinnacles teeming with colorful sea fans and exotic fish, and Hin Raab South for encounters with reef sharks and rays. The underwater visibility is excellent most of the year, often exceeding 20 meters, providing optimal conditions for spotting various species of marine creatures.
One of the unique aspects of diving in Koh Chang is the opportunity to explore not only coral reefs but also The largest shipwreck in Thailand. The HTMS Chang, a former Thai naval vessel, was purposefully sunk off Koh Chang’s coast to create an artificial reef. This wreck is now a fascinating dive site, home to a plethora of marine life and a magnet for underwater photographers.
With its warm tropical waters, diverse marine ecosystem, and stunning underwater landscapes, Koh Chang promises an unforgettable diving experience for enthusiasts seeking to explore Thailand’s underwater treasures.
Koh Tao Scuba Diving
Located about 8-9 drive from Bangkok in the Northern Gulf of Thailand, you can access Chomphun which has a ferry port to travel out to the tiniest little island known as “the Rock” Koh Tao.
Koh Tao became world famous in the early 2000s as the epicenter for diver certifications in the world! More people get their PADI Scuba Diving in Koh Tao than anywhere else in the world. It has some great dive sites and wonderful marine life on offer too!
Koh Tao is next to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, famous for its full moon parties and backpacker yoga retreats. This cluster of islands which are 2-4 hours out in the middle of the Thai gulf are a magical area to explore.
The downside to diving in Koh Tao could also be the attraction. It is the cheapest place in Thailand (possibly the world) to take your PADI courses however with such competition on the islands you’ll find certain times extremely busy around the dive sites and your dive classes will certainly be shared with several other students.
Despite the crowds, Koh Tao is well worth the visit and experience. Amazing value diver training is guaranteed, know that other things on the island are not so cheap. Food and accommodation are all be more expensive compared to other destinations. Travel times are also longer to get there whether you fly to Phuket or Surithani then get a coach or train to the ferry ports. it’s a great adventure if you have the time to explore, do it!
Phuket Scuba Diving
Phuket is the largest Island in Thailand and is situated on the west coast along the Andaman Sea. Phuket is in many ways a lot like Pattaya. A lively atmosphere combined with some great reefs, unusual underwater rock formations, and a huge variety of marine life for divers to enjoy
Phi Phi Scuba Diving
This place became famous after the release of the movie “The Beach” so naturally you will find amazing beaches, coral reefs, and amazing marine life down the South of Thailand. Since it is located in the Andaman Sea is best visited in the earliest part of the year and not around monsoon.
Krabi Scuba Diving
Krabi Scuba Diving offers stunning limestone cliffs and vibrant coral reefs, making it ideal for underwater exploration. Dive sites like Phi Phi Islands and Ao Nang showcase diverse marine life and clear waters.
Koh Lanta Scuba Diving
Koh Lanta Scuba Diving in Koh Lanta features pristine reefs, whale shark sightings, and vibrant coral gardens. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are renowned for their deep dives and large marine species.
Similan Islands Scuba Diving
Scuba diving in Thailand’s Similan Islands offers an exhilarating experience with clear waters, diverse marine life, and stunning landscapes. Situated in the Andaman Sea, the Similans are among Thailand’s top diving destinations.
Divers are drawn to explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, sea turtles, and other fascinating marine creatures, with exceptional underwater visibility during peak season (December to April).
Notable dive sites like Elephant Head Rock feature unique underwater landscapes, including giant boulders and intricate coral formations that attract diverse marine species such as reef sharks, rays, and schooling fish.
The Similan Islands are renowned for liveaboard diving trips, allowing multiple dives per day and access to remote sites. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced diver, the Similans promise an unforgettable underwater adventure amid Thailand’s natural beauty.
Accessing the Similan Islands involves traveling from nearby coastal areas like Khao Lak or Phuket. Speedboat transfers from Khao Lak take about 1.5 to 2 hours, while journeys from Phuket range from 2 to 3 hours. Day trip options are available from Phuket during the diving season (October to April), providing a chance to experience the islands’ underwater wonders in a single day.
Both Khao Lak and Phuket serve as convenient gateways to the Similan Islands, ideal for embarking on diving adventures in this renowned marine paradise.
The best dive sites in Thailand
Thailand dive sites are so varied they can suit just about all your needs from shallow coral reefs perfect for PADI Open Water divers to deep pinnacles or wreck dives that excite the more experienced scuba divers.
Richelieu Rock - Similans
Richelieu Rock – Accepted as Thailand’s very best and most famous dive site, a horseshoe-shaped reef that lies in the Andaman Sea and is thought to have been discovered by Jacques Cousteau. It is known for its very diverse marine life ranging from shrimps and seahorses to large pelagic like whale sharks, barracudas, and giant groupers.
Hardeep Wreck - Samae San
SS Suddhadib Wreck – One of Pattaya’s most famous and popular wreck dive sites, Samae sans premier deep dive site can give more experienced divers extra depth to explore while visiting an authentic Second World War shipwreck. This site has lots to offer with its beautiful corals that have been developing since it sank in 1945 and marine life that has made it their home. Hawksbill turtles also being regular visitors.
Sail Rock - Koh Tao
Sail Rock – This is the premier scuba diving site in the Gulf of Thailand. Situated about 2 hours boat ride from Koh Tao it is a huge rock that starts down at a depth of 40 meters and rises 8 meters out of the water. It also has a unique swim-through known as “the chimney” which enables you to descend and/or ascend inside the rock.
Koh Rin - Pattaya
Koh Rin Island – Widely regarded as Pattaya’s best local dive site, it is one big island that offers a huge fringing coralline around its south side. Beautiful coral reefs lay all around from 5m to 18 meters from the surface. The water clarity here is always nice. You can see lots of fish here, rare macro life and Bamboo Sharks as well. You may also encounter large Whip rays, Eagle Rays and even Whalesharks from time to time.
Chang Wreck - Koh Chang
HTMS Chang Wreck – The largest of Thailand’s Artificial Reef shipwrecks at 100m long lays on the sea bed upright from 30m. The Chang Wreck is an absolute must for wreck divers and a trip diving Koh Chang is easily combined with a scuba diving Pattaya as these dive destinations are only a few hours down the coast from each other!
Dive courses in Thailand
First-time diving in Thailand is a spectacular and safe diving experience, Making Thailand top of people’s bucket list
Depending on your available time to dive you will need anything from 1 full day to 4 full days to either experience a try dive program or gain your first diver qualification. Whatever you choose Thailand’s waters will be warm and inviting any time of the year.
Why Thailand is so popular for scuba diving
Thailands as a dive destination needs no introduction to certified scuba divers, but what if don’t have your PADI dive license yet? You might wonder “Why take your PADI diving course in Thailand?”
Thailand often referred to as the “Land of Smiles” is situated right at the heart of Southeast Asia. Since the rise and development of areas such as Koh Tao, Pattaya and Phuket Thailand have being the epicentre for scuba diver training in southeast Asia and to some degree, the entire world.
Thailand great dive condition, combined with its renowned unique culture and internationally famed cuisine. Makes is a really easy choice for many. Still not convinced? Well, the country emanates incredible beauty too with stunning peaks in the north surrounded by lush tropical jungles and from the east coast to down south, palm trees fringing beautiful white sandy beaches, not to mention some of the world’s most diverse and colorful coral reefs. Thailand is a country like no other. Everyone has a different story and experience here, but one thing is consistent, it is a place many fall in love with and you could fell like you want to stay forever.
With the Gulf of Thailand on the East and the Andaman Sea on the west of Thailand, there are lots of scuba diving opportunities including coral reefs, drop-offs, shipwrecks, walls, and deep pinnacles.
After a day out scuba diving in Thailand, you wouldn’t have to look far for entertainment from picturesque sunsets and excellent dining to social drinking and lively bars in Pattaya!
“Thailand also has so many unique cultural attractions like big Buddha’s and Temples for example, all over the country You can see between Scuba Diving In Thailand”
“Thailand also has so many
Quality of training
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the world’s largest and most recognized scuba diving training agency with the most solid system of diver education available. PADI Diver training courses are all performance-based and not time-based meaning all students can learn at their own pace and not feel pressured.
PADI dive courses are designed to make learning to dive fun, enjoyable, and productive for the students. All PADI programs, from beginner-level courses up to dive professional training, have high standards that are monitored for worldwide consistency and quality.
The basics of diving physics and physiology are introduced during entry-level courses with the more in-depth details of these concepts being left for later courses. Each PADI course is designed to build on the previous one, improving your skills and techniques to be a better, safer scuba diver.
PADI Dive Courses
PADI Discover Scuba Diving – This is PADI’s Premiere try diving experience and the world’s most popular recognized 1-day scuba diving program. Although it is not a certification dive course it is an amazing experience for those who want to experience diving in Thailand for just one single day.
PADI Open Water Diver – The world’s most popular and widely recognized scuba diving course. Millions of people have learned to scuba dive through the PADI Open water course and gone on to discover the secrets of the underwater world whilst at the same time, forging unforgettable memories and experiences! Completing this course will certify you to dive anywhere in the world to a depth of 18 meters.
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver– Designed to advance your skills in diving and build on what you learned in your beginner course, you can start immediately after completing the Open Water certification.
This course will add confidence and expand your scuba skills through different Adventure Dives including Deep diving, underwater Navigation, and more. When completed you are certified to dive to a depth of 30m.
PADI Rescue Diver – A course for more experienced divers in which you learn how to prevent and manage problems in the water, and become more confident in your skills as a diver. During the course, you learn to become a better buddy by practicing problem-solving skills until they become second nature. It is a challenging but extremely fun course to take.
PADI Divemaster – The PADI Divemaster course is the world’s most popular professional-level scuba diving course. At the first professional level in the PADI System of diver education, you will enhance your dive knowledge, management, and supervision abilities so you become a role model to a diver.
You will be taught how to become a leader and take charge of diving activities enabling you to make a career through scuba diving.
Traveling to Thailand – Easy
Thailand is a traveler’s dream and one of the major tourist destinations in Southeast Asia for a good reason! Thailand is a large country, with an enormous amount of things to see and do whether Exploring the mountains up north, visiting sanctuaries in Chang Mai or scuba diving in the Gulf of Thailand further south. You won’t be short of amazing experiences.
Most visitors arrive at one of Bangkok’s two international airports, Suvarnabhumi International being the largest and newest airport in Thailand and one of South East Asia’s busiest!! Don Muang Airport, once downgraded in place of Swammy Airport reopened to international flights due to high demand.
There is also another chance to fly into Thailand besides Phuket since more recently U-Tapao Pattaya Airport has begun to accept certain International flights. located just 40 minutes from Pattaya. Besides these flights, U-Tapao Pattaya Airport also flies many budget airlines making cross Thailand Travel easier than ever before! Prices are kept down as nearly all the major airlines that fly into Asia land in Bangkok creating plenty of options for potential customers.
Once you arrive in Thailand, you will find Thailand has a good transport infrastructure making it easy for you to get around the country whatever your budget.
Planes, trains, and automobiles
Budget Flights in Thailand
The quickest, most comfortable, and easiest way to travel to Thailand is by domestic flight, and on the whole, it’s not too expensive either.
There are plenty of budget operators who compete for customers, meaning plenty of low fares and if you do some research and plan, it is possible to fly anywhere in the country for less than 2000 Thai Baht!
You can Fly to Pattaya Utapao Airport from many locations in Thailand and southeast asia such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur Hangzhou, Macao and many more. Stop by and go for a dive in Pattaya!
Travel by Bus in Thailand
Generally speaking, buses are the easiest cheapest option for both price and comfort when traveling and the Government-run buses called BKS, run to every province in Thailand. The downside is that they take a long time. For example, a Bus to Koh Tao will take you an overnight ride of 12 hours and that is just to the ferry pier! It’s much easier to fly to Surat Thani in less than 1 hour. Then again, getting from Bangkok to Pattaya is nowhere near as difficult since a Bus from Bangkok to Pattaya costs only 120 baht and takes only a couple of hours.
Travel by Train in Thailand
The state railway of Thailand has a network that covers most of Thailand from the north down to the South where you can connect from Malaysia to the Northern border with Laos.
Most travelers use the sleeper/overnight services when traveling to or from Bangkok, or further north from Bangkok up to Chiang Mai. This saves on accommodation costs and makes traveling by train a popular choice for backpackers who are traveling the country or region extensively, over several months.
When compared to other forms of transport, Thailand trains are relatively slow and prone to delays. But they have modernized their carriages making them comfortable and do give extra freedom to move around.
Travel by Ferry in Thailand
Traveling from the mainland to various Thai Islands around the Gulf of Thailand is very easy due to modern, ferry services. With regular departures to most islands at least once an hour, it is quite easy to island hop when traveling through the region.
The ferry companies usually have a bus network that links in with their schedule, For example, you can get on a bus in Pattaya and go to Koh Chang. Your bus ticket includes your ferry ticket so you just hop on and sit back until you’re in paradise!
Does Thailand Have Year-Round Diving?
A big question is when is the best time to scuba dive in Thailand?
Thailand has two main diving areas, The Gulf of Thailand on the East Coast where we are situated in Pattaya. Samae San Islands and diving in Koh Chang are also situated here, a little further east. Then the Andaman Sea on the West coast although you will find dive centers open in both locations all year round due to Thailand’s warm climate and variety of dive sites the south of Thailand is generally best left for the better weather!
Scuba diving in Thailand is very comfortable due to the water temperature being between 26°C to 30°C all year round. No Dry suits or think neoprene wetsuits are needed here! You can always dive in a rash guard but you might find a 2mm or 3mm short wetsuit nice if you get cold easily. The average visibility in this region is 10m to 40m with different factors affecting the range.
Thailand has a Warm Sunny Climate
Thailand is a tropical country meaning for most of the year it is hot and humid with high temperatures. Typically divided by three seasons: rainy (May-Oct Approx), caused by the southwest monsoon, cool (Nov–Feb), and hot (March-May). The rainy season is the least predictable of the seasons.
Most days are always warm and sunny so don’t expect it will rain all day every day but expect it to rain most days for a little bit during this season. The air temperature will vary between 25°C to 35 °C depending on the location and the season.
The area of Thailand where Pattaya is situated in the Gulf of Thailand is for the most part protected from the general climate pattern due to the sea immediately to the East. The coastal areas and islands in this region feel the effects of the northeast monsoon, bringing a rainy season between October and January with November being the wettest.
Pattaya’s rainy season is less severe than anywhere on the Andaman coast This is why Pattaya islands are open to dive all year around
Gulf of Thailand
It is possible to Dive in Pattaya all year round with a large range of dive sites available, almost all very local to Pattaya Beach. The best time to dive in Pattaya runs from November to March. April through to August can have some great conditions but tend to be a little less predictable, both above and below the water.
Long sunny days, calm seas, and great visibility enable divers to enjoy great diving conditions when taking their PADI courses. Come diving in Pattaya to See Sea Turtles, Seahorse, and even Sharks
Andaman Sea
The best period to dive from Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta is from Jan to April when the visibility is very good. From April to October, the sea is very choppy and visibility is often reduced due to the southwesterly monsoon season. This means the further outlying pinnacles will be unavailable but local dives are still open to diving on good days.
Liveaboards in Thailand
Taking a liveaboard to the magnificent marine parks To Scuba Dive at the Similan Islands and Surin Islands is possible only between October and May. This area holds some of the best dive sites in Thailand but is closed during the rainy season to protect the coral reefs.
Whale Sharks Thailand
There are more and more Whale shark sightings year after year in Thailand, in both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Whale sharks have been spotted regularly around the Koh Chang Wreck as well as Rayong, Samae San diving close to Pattaya. If you are lucky that is, you can also seek out whale shark diving at Koh Tao and the Similan Islands.
