Bangkok Diving

As a gateway to some of Thailand’s best diving destinations, Bangkok offers endless adventures for divers looking to access to many iconic regions all around this magnificent country’s sites that attract underwater enthusiasts from all corners of the globe.

 

Diving in Bangkok

For divers in Bangkok province, it’s never been easier. Whether you’re after a quick trip nearby, or to explore regions further afield by staying in a dive resort or taking a liveaboard, there really is no limit thanks to the abundance of dive centers and travel agents that can assist you with organizing your dream diving getaway. Dive operators and liveaboards often have main offices in the big cities, so even if you’re seemingly far from the ocean, a trip to the salty depths only takes a conversation with any of these plentiful, reputable businesses.

Transport to various diving hotspots is easy, with plenty of ferries and land transportation to take you virtually anywhere from the capital. The quickest and simplest way to reach popular diving areas is by plane from Bangkok’s airport, where you can fly daily to Pattaya and Ranong, Phuket, Krabi and many more. It’s so simple that certain operators with whom you book may even arrange your transportation, so all you have to do is show up at their Bangkok branch on your departure day.

Popular diving spots that Bangkok folk travel to include the nearer seaside resort town of Pattaya, which is only a couple of hours away. Great for those wanting a weekend dive vacation, it’s a good choice for those on a time schedule. 

Sites in the Andaman Sea are also accessible by flying to Phuket or Krabi, such as the famous areas in Ao Nang, the Phi Phi Islands, the Similan and Surin Islands, and amazing sites like the King Cruiser, Shark Point and Anemone Reef. Destinations around Koh Lanta also promise a fulfilling experience, including Hin Daeng and Muang.

Bangkok also offers access to incredible sites in the Gulf of Thailand, such as the world-renowned islands of Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Chang, where sites like Sail Rock and the HTMS Chang - Thailand’s largest wreck, await.

Generally, scuba diving anywhere here is suitable for all, with beginners benefitting from entry-level dive courses in easy, shallow reefs, while experienced divers can enjoy wreck dives, currents, caves and deeper spots.
 

Best time to dive

Typically the best time to dive depends on the location. For sites in the Andaman Sea, the high season from November to May, which also coincides with the dry season, boasts the calmest seas and best visibility. Diving is possible during the monsoon period, though some sites may be off-limits due to waves and reduced visibility.

In the Gulf of Thailand, the best time is between March and September, when visibility is crystal and the weather is sunny. Again, diving is possible outside of these months, but conditions are less favourable. Because of the welcoming tropical climate, the water temperature ranges from 27°C-30°C year-round, so there’s never really a bad time to dive.
 

Types of diving

As it’s Thailand’s gateway to the entirety of its diving scene, almost any kind of diving is possible. The varied topography at many dive sites provides plunging wall dives, tunnels, cave dives, swim-throughs and fun boulder mazes.

Synonymous with beautiful reef diving, all Thai diving hotspots feature some stunning coral reefs that astound even divers that think they’ve seen it all. Night diving on these reefs is also a popular sport, as it’s all a completely different vibe after the sunsets.

Wreck diving is also fantastic, with plenty of shipwrecks to explore almost anywhere. Pattaya is known as the wreck capital of Thailand, while Koh Chang boasts the largest of them all. There are wrecks all over Thailand, with the best easily accessed from Bangkok.
 

What to see

Beautiful Indo-Pacific species populate the sites, from tiny macro critters to the big boys like manta rays and whale sharks. Sites like Richelieu Rock, Chumphon Pinnacle, Sail Rock and Hin Daeng and Hin Muang offer the best possibilities for encountering these majestic pelagics, though you can get lucky pretty much at any site.

Other exciting creatures like colorful tropical reef fish, including angelfish, triggerfish, parrotfish, anemonefish, grouper and lionfish, all dominate the reefs, while eels, sea snakes and octopus hunt along the floor. Turtles and reef sharks like blacktips are fairly common, while sandy bottoms host resting leopard sharks and stingrays.
 

Best places to dive

The closest popular diving spots to Bangkok are in Pattaya. The Pattaya Near and Far Islands are perfect for a good day trip, as are the Samae San Islands. Wreck enthusiasts will be kept extremely entertained here.

In the Andaman Sea, The Phi Phi Islands and Bida Islands are unmissable, boasting a wealth of diverse life. Between Phi Phi and Phuket, the King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point and Anemone Reef sites are often dived as part of a day trip. They’re an absolute must for experienced divers thanks to insane amounts of species and breathtaking topography.

There’s also the Similan and Surin Islands that are best visited by liveaboard, and are often hailed as the best sites in Thailand, including Richelieu Rock, which has been named a “whale shark magnet”.

In the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Chang, Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan offer great dive sites suitable for all. In particular, Sail Rock, Southwest Pinnacle and Chumphon Pinnacle should not be missed, where pelagic sightings are very possible.