Thailand Diving
Having just the perfect conditions for diving, a diverse assortment of marine life and a culture for fine hospitality Thailand has become a magnet for all divers from complete beginners to seasoned travellers.
Bangkok Province
Scuba diving in Bangkok has never been easier, thanks to the abundance of reputable dive centers that call this bustling destination home. While the city itself is a concrete jungle, Pattaya is the closest seaside town within the province where diving is possible.
Chonburi
Head underwater to discover vibrant reefs, the wreck diving capital of Thailand, and dramatic walls surrounded by a myriad of colorful marine life, and with its proximity to Bangkok providing exciting nightlife, restaurants, water sports, and bustling shops, Chonburi promises a memorable experience.
Krabi
Here you'll find picture-perfect paradise beaches with white sand and glimmering azure waters that are surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains covered in luscious jungle fauna. While below the calm seas you find breathtaking seascapes and vibrant tropical marine life that entice divers to the magical depths that hold seemingly infinite species. Krabi is a destination not to be missed.
Phang nga
Sitting on the edge of the Andaman Sea, Phang Nga is famed for its crystal-clear waters full of life and the iconic Surin and Similan Islands. Dive in to discover pristine corals and exceptional reefs hosting mantas, whale sharks, turtles and more fish than you could possibly count.
Phuket Province
Sitting by the Andaman Sea and offering a generous mix of world-class diving, bustling nightlife, Thai culture and iconic beaches, Phuket has something for all. Dive sites are suitable for all levels and the marine life is seemingly endless; with thriving corals, reef fish, turtles, sharks and schooling pelagics.
Satun
In Thailand’s pristine Andaman Sea, the province of Satun provides an exceptional diving experience off the beaten track, where healthy coral reefs, exhilarating underwater topography and a plethora of species wait to be encountered by divers of all levels. From the tiniest nudibranchs to dolphins, dugongs and enormous whale sharks, Satun promises endless diversity.
Surat Thani
One of Thailand’s most popular dive regions, beautiful Surat Thani’s 112 islands offer white sand beaches, endless reefs and access to world-famous Koh Samui, Koh Tao and more. No matter your skill level, you can surround yourself with colourful corals, macro delights, sea turtles and even whale sharks.
Trat
Unspoilt dive sites, few dive crowds, lush jungle-covered scenery and white sands are just a few of Trat’s many highlights for divers and non-divers alike. Discover a wealth of fish life, macro critters, pelagics and whale sharks; all while exploring dramatic underwater topography, wrecks and more.
Diving in Thailand
Best time to dive
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate meaning the weather and water temperature is warm for most of the year. However, the monsoon season from May to the end of October brings a little more rain and rougher surface conditions in the Andaman Sea. During this period divers may not be able to take a liveaboard out to the Similan or Surin Islands but local dive centers and resorts will still operate to certain sites, weather dependant. Thanks to this slight uncertainty about specific sites and days this is the least busy and therefore the least expensive time to visit Thailand. As it is a well-loved warm water destination in the winter, December and January are the busiest months all over Thailand. It is advisable to book early if you are hoping to visit during this period both for accommodation and diving. The dive resorts start to quieten down in February and this continues into the end of the season. These months are some of the best conditions in the year and offers the best chance of seeing the bigger marine life such as mantas and whalesharks.
Types of diving
Much of Thailand’s diving is shallow reefs caked with coral and covered with reef fish, sharks and turtles. Many of the dives around Koh Tao, Koh Samui and Krabi can be enjoyed directly from the shore. Training dives for dive courses are also often done at one of the many shore sites around the coast. For more experienced divers the call of deeper waters with pinnacles, walls and wrecks means a boat trip is required. Speed boats and traditional converted fishing boats have been transformed into dive boats all around Thailand. These can take divers on day long trips to the further out sites where WWII shipwrecks, caves and pinnacles await. These dives and multi-day liveaboards offer the chance to see some of the bigger marine life on offer in Thailand. Out in the blue, using the currents to travel are mantas, whalesharks and pelagic shoals.
What to see
Best places to dive
Elephant Head, Similan Islands
Richelieu Rock, Surin Islands
Koh Tao, Surat Thani
Krabi
Koh Samui, Surat Thani
FAQ
The top dive centers are the Aloha Diving, Reefers Dive Resort and Davy Jones Locker Koh Tao.
Open Water Diver prices range from €219-€497. See all Open Water Diver courses in Thailand.
Discover Scuba Diving prices range from €49-€151. See all Discover Scuba Diving courses in Thailand.
You can obtain your Advanced Open Water Diver in Phuket.
You can obtain your Discover Scuba Diving in Koh Tao.
Diving is available in Kata Beach, Jomtien and Patong.