THis Is DIVING In KOH CHANG
THis Is DIVING In KOH CHANGWe couldn’t tell you about scuba diving in Koh Chang without an introduction to a place that will capture your heart from the first visit. Koh Chang is a Thailand island with an identity entirely of its own. Just 4 hours down the coast from Pattaya lays an island lifestyle that is a world away from worlds. Besides breathtaking views, white sand beaches, waterfalls, and a charming bohemian island vibe you will find a range of dive sites suitable to novices and beginners as well as some deeper dive sites such as HTMS Chang, one of the largest wrecks in Thailand.
If you’re only a little bit curious about joining us for a dive in Koh Chang, just read on and see the photographs and videos for yourself! Believe us! If you travel East from Bangkok you can be in Pattaya in less than 2 hours and then from this dive center base, you can access other special scuba diving trips such as our Koh Chang Monthly Scuba Adventure as well as weekend dive trips to scuba dive Rayong Pinnacles!
What’s it Like To Dive in Koh Chang?
Besides the charming relaxed island vibe, you will find Near Islands Dive Site such as Hin Raab or the HTMS Chang Wreck as well as Far Island Dive sites around the Koh Rang Protected National Marine Park. You will find many similarities with the Pattaya dive sites as you discover a multitude of types of reef fish and marine life including Whale sharks, the world’s largest fish. The Main Koh Chang dive season is from November until May. You’re usually guaranteed pretty good visibility, around 10 – 15 meters, and calm seas. The Water is Particularly clear in early November and January when visibility reaches 25 meters. Whilst diving in Koh Chang will never compete with the Maldives as far as the visibility and ease of seeing reef sharks etc, you will see far more living coral here and an equal types of reef fish and the wrecks, well, it a win here in that respect in my opinion as a dive trip here can have just as much fun and adventure without breaking the bank.
Best Dive Sites In Koh Chang
HTMS Chang Wreck Dive Site
Once recognized as USS Lincoln, HTMS Chang is Thailand’s largest wreck at 117m long. She lays upright on the sand at 30m deep in perfect condition. The HTMS Chang saw 50 years of service in the Royal Thai Navy before it was sunk to create an artificial reef back in 2012. This is, without doubt, one of the best wreck dive sites in Thailand with lots to explore including cabins, officer quarters, comm rooms, and the main holding area. The wreck is also home to a massive family of marine life including giant barracuda, batfish, huge groupers, and a range of interesting macro critters.
Hin Luk Bat Dive Site
Regarded by many to be one of the best dive sites in Koh Chang, looking like a small rock from the surface, expands down far and wide as a pinnacle dive site below the surface. Dense schooling fish and a host of moray eels, Stingrays, groupers, puffer fish, and yellowtail barracuda live amongst the mixture of vibrant and colorful coral reef fish species like parrotfish, angelfish, and damsels. The enormous rock boulders surrounding the pinnacle have created interesting canyons and crevices along with a couple of swims through to enjoy!
Koh Rang Dive Site
Also known as Koh Rang Pinnacle, this site is well known for attracting passing pelagics including tuna and cobia. The pinnacle itself is surrounded by a cluster of schooling reef fish and when the sun’s rays filter down from the surface it is a stunning dive site to behold. You’ll also find blue spot Stingrays, Morays, Nudibranch, various shrimps, scorpionfish, and other critters hiding out at every turn.
Hin Raab Dive Site
This near-island dive site is visited frequently and although not often raved about we think is a beautiful dive site. In The shallows between 10m to 5m, you will find a reef scape so dense with variety, life, and color that it’s a total package and wonder of a dive site. You can always find an abundant amount of coral fish gathered here along with great barracuda, cuttlefish, Bannerfish, schooling fusilier fish, and every once in a while, Whaleshark.
Koh Chang TRIP SCHEDULES
We post confirmed dates of each monthly trip on our social media pages, keep a look out! If you are diving in Pattaya and want us to arrange a special Trip to Koh Chang this is also possible, just contact our dive team. Perhaps you are looking to explore the whole of East Thailand’s dive destinations. Pattaya, Samae San, Rayong and Koh Chang? Let us arrange that for you! We are always up for adventures and enjoy showing divers around the local dive scene.
