PATTAYA DIVE SITES GUIDE

Explore PATTAYA DIVE SITES

18 Coral Islands AND 6 Shipwrecks

Check out our Pattaya Dive Site map to see all the diving spots around Samae San and Pattaya. These areas are filled with islands, many of which have multiple dive sites boasting coral reefs perfect for both diving and snorkeling.

Experienced divers can explore wreck dive sites near Pattaya’s islands. Trainee divers at open water level can also venture here to learn deeper diving during their Advanced diver course or Adventure dive. Along Samae San’s coast rests one of Thailand’s most famous shipwrecks from WW2, the Hardeep wreck.

PATTAYA DIVE SITES ARE OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

Pattaya Dive Sites Far Islands

THE PATTAYA FAR ISLANDS

Koh Phai, Koh Klung Badan, Koh Man Whichai, Koh Rin

There are many reasons to love the Pattaya far island dive sites, For one thing, they are made up of six main islands and several smaller ones approx 15 km away, offering variety in dive typography and aquatic life.

Another thing is they are only 1 hour 30 minutes away from Pattaya Beach. These 3 main islands include Koh Rin, Koh Phai, Koh Man Wichai, Koh Klueng Badan, and the 2 smaller Thai islands of Koh Hoo Chang and Koh Luem.

HTMS Khram shipwreck dive site is also located out at the far islands. Koh Rin and Koh Manwichai is our first choice for coral diving trips in this area and also the best dive sites to see Sharks In Pattaya

BEST TRAINING GROUND CONDITIONS

THE PATTAYA NEAR ISLANDS

Koh Sak, Koh Larn, Koh Khrok

Similarly to the far islands, three near islands are 7 km off Pattaya beach, approx 45 mins away. This divine area offers no less than seven reef dive sites, as well as two shipwrecks.

Our Pattaya Near Islands are Koh Sak, Koh Larn, and Koh Khrok. The shipwrecks are HTMS Kut and HTMS Mataphon. All the Near Islands are great to See Local Sea Turtles.

The corals are in excellent condition generally, although visibility can vary.  Plenty of marine life is around for the finding.

Koh Sak near island services local tourist trips and sees more boat traffic than other areas. Truly a shame because the coral and macro diving here can be brilliant, but the site is simply too busy to use some days.

The Near Island of Koh Larn and Koh Sak offers great protection during monsoon months. The strong southern winds don’t enter the bays here, which are when they are most visited. However, during good weather and a flat sea, we explore the outer islands.

Best Diving in Pattaya Thailand Reviews

PATTAYA MACRO DIVING IS EXCELLENT!

Samae San Islands Dive Sites Thailand

THE SAMAE SAN ISLANDS

Koh Chuang, Koh Chang Klua, Koh Jarn, Hin Lak Bat

Located 45 minutes from Pattaya along the coast, Samae San is a quaint fishing village. A quick drive followed by a short boat trip leads you to the nearly uninhabited Samae San Islands.

Comprising Koh Samae San, Koh Chuang, Koh Jan, along with smaller sites like Koh Ron Nang, Hin Lak Bat (Shark Fin Rock), Koh Chang Klua, Hin Chalarm, and Hin Kunjear.

The standout dive site in Samae San is the S.S Suddhadib, or The Hardeep Wreck, the only genuine war wreck in Thailand accessible for recreational dives. It’s among the top spots in Pattaya for experienced divers.

The coral reefs in Samae San are breathtaking, especially at dive sites such as Japanese Gardens, Shark Fin Rock, and Hin Charlam.

CLOSEST DIVE SITES TO BANGKOK!

WHERE ARE THE BEST PATTAYA DIVE SITES?

Pattaya’s best sites vary seasonally. Typically, the Pattaya Far Islands boast better visibility than the nearby islands, yet this isn’t always the case.

Factors like water visibility, currents, and waves influence the best options. While calm seas make selection easy, the ocean changes daily, turning a serene dive into a more challenging experience.

Our picks for the best Pattaya Far Islands are Koh Rin and Koh Man Wichai, while Koh Sak West stands out among the near islands for diverse marine life.

Japanese Gardens, and Shark Fin Rock rank high among Samae San sites, but truthfully, there are no disappointing dive spots in Samae San.

Where are the Best Dive Sites in Thailand?

OCTOBER TO APRIL IS HIGH SEASON

Thailand best season for diving Pattaya

WHEN IS THE BEST DIVING SEASON IN PATTAYA?

Pattaya offers a year-round dive season, unlike Phuket and other west coast destinations that suffer during the monsoon season.

Situated in the Northern Thai Gulf, Pattaya’s dive sites remain relatively sheltered during monsoons, experiencing minimal impact compared to other Thai areas.

The optimal time for diving in Thailand spans from November to March when conditions are at their best—gentle winds, fewer rains, and pleasant temperatures prevail. April to August in Thailand can be intensely hot.

Regardless of the season, our selected sites remain among Thailand’s most stunning locations. Come, enjoy, and have a great time—our reviews attest that we excel regardless of the weather or season.

OCTOBER TO APRIL IS HIGH SEASON

SHIPWRECKS IN PATTAYA & SAMAE SAN

Pattaya, Thailand’s wreck diving capital, offers diverse dive sites with five wrecks. Three were intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs, while the others hold historical significance.

HTMS Khram (2001), HTMS Kut (or Kood, 2006), and HTMS Mataphon (2014) form a trio. Combined with Samae San’s Hardeep and Breman wrecks, Pattaya is a top destination for wreck diving.

Explore our Pattaya wreck diving guide for details.

Wreck Diving Sites Thailand