The province of Phang Nga is a southern region of Thailand, located on the edge of the beautiful Andaman Sea. Famous for its incredibly clear, warm waters overflowing with abundant marine life, in addition to its picturesque sandy beaches and postcard-worthy mountainous forests and jungles, the region is a must for divers and non-divers alike.

Easily accessible from Phuket or Krabi, Phang Nga is home to many amazing islands, including those of the Phang Nga Bay. The most famous is James Bond Island, which is a popular tourist destination, The iconic Similan Islands are here, where divers venture from all over the globe to bask in its sensational sites seething with prolific life and dramatic seascapes. Well-known for their diverse corals, vast amounts of life and exceptional reefs, the Similan Islands are one of Thailand’s most-visited dive destinations, and are part of a protected national marine park. Also, the Surin Islands are a must, which boasts unspoilt sloping reefs along with a boatload of varied marine life. Khao Lak, which is part of Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, offers divers even more breathtaking sites to explore. Koh Yao Yai is another excellent spot, and is located near iconic sites like the Koh Bida Islands, the King Cruiser wreck, Shark Point and Anemone Reef. In the middle of Phang Nga Bay is Koh Yao Noi, where even more untouched sites await, including Koh Hong, Koh Lading, Koh Lao Hang and Koh La Ka.

All around the region, an array of diverse marine life thrives, including macro critters like shrimp and nudibranch, and tons of schooling fish like snapper and barracuda. Reef species to see include angelfish, bannerfish, lionfish, triggerfish, anemonefish and more. Other creatures to spot include moray eels, pufferfish, octopus, squid and cuttlefish. Divers can also encounter leopard sharks, turtles, black and white tip reef sharks, manta rays and even whalesharks, particularly at sites where sightings are known to occur, like at Koh Bon Pinnacle, Richelieu Rock, Elephant Head Rock and Koh Tachai Pinnacle.

The region enjoys a warm, tropical climate, that enables year-round great diving. Average annual air and water temperatures are between 27°C-30°C (80°F-86°F). The best time to dive is said to be from November to March/April, as the weather is more comfortable and divers typically experience better visibility and sea conditions.

Scuba diving in Phang Nga is suited for divers of all skill levels thanks to a myriad of varied sites that include calm, shallow spots, to deeper sites that experience currents. Reef and wreck diving are common, along with exploring exciting caves, tunnels, pinnacles and swim-throughs. With tons of varied training sites, the area is a good choice for undertaking dive courses, including open water certifications, wreck specialties, and even advanced courses. Dive centers and dive resorts offer plenty of options, from chilled-out single dives to day-long boat trips. For those that prefer liveaboards, there are many to choose from, as there are lots that make trips to the Similan Islands, which is an exceedingly popular liveaboard destination.
 

With so many unforgettable sites in the area, it’s truly a diver’s paradise. To name but a few must-dive sites, there’s Koh Bon, the Boonsung Wreck, Christmas Point, Koh Tachai, Fantasea and the world-renowned Richelieu Rock, which is on the list of Thailand’s best dive sites.