Thailand Diving

Similan Islands, Phang Nga This chain of nine granite-and-coral islands is Thailand’s premier diving destination, lying about 60 miles off the coast west of Khao Lak. Famous for smooth granite boulder swim-throughs, vibrant reefs and the chance of manta rays, it is usually dived on multi-day liveaboard trips. When you are not underwater, the powder-white beaches of this protected national park are among the most beautiful in the country.

Richelieu Rock, Surin Islands A submerged limestone pinnacle in the Surin Islands National Park, Richelieu Rock is regularly ranked among the best dive sites in the world. It is Thailand’s most reliable spot for whale-shark encounters, and also teems with manta rays, barracuda, seahorses and dense schools of fish. Because it lies far offshore, it is reached only by liveaboard trips chartered from Phuket or Khao Lak.

Ko Tao, Surat Thani The small Gulf island of Ko Tao is one of the world’s most popular places to learn to dive, turning out tens of thousands of newly certified divers every year. Its calm, shallow, warm waters and famously cheap courses make it ideal for beginners, with accommodation often thrown in with your training. Experienced divers can head to sites like Chumphon Pinnacle for a chance to see bull sharks and whale sharks.

Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, Krabi These twin offshore pinnacles far out in the Andaman are among Thailand’s most thrilling advanced dives. “Red Rock” and “Purple Rock” plunge into deep blue water cloaked in soft corals and anemones, drawing manta rays, sharks and occasional whale sharks. Reached only by chartered boat from Ko Lanta, Phi Phi or Phuket, and swept by strong currents, they are best suited to confident divers.

Ko Phi Phi, Krabi The Phi Phi islands offer accessible, scenic diving within easy reach of both Phuket and Krabi, with most sites clustered around Phi Phi Ley and the Bida islets. Visibility is generally excellent and leopard sharks are frequently sighted resting on the sandy bottom. The islands draw big crowds, so a private longtail lets you time your dives to dodge the day-trip rush.

Ko Lanta, Krabi Relaxed Ko Lanta makes a superb diving base, offering easy reef and snorkelling sites close to home plus access to the region’s headline deep dives. Operators focus on the island’s quieter southern tip, a convenient and less crowded jumping-off point than Phi Phi. The nearby Emerald Cave, entered by swimming through a dark tunnel into a hidden lagoon, is an unforgettable side trip.

Ko Dok Mai, Phuket This sheer limestone island roughly midway between Phuket and Phi Phi is best known for its dramatic underwater wall and cavern. Sea snakes, leopard sharks and vast schools of fish patrol the drop-off, and the site is a popular choice for atmospheric night dives. The steep topography makes for easy, current-sheltered diving on most days.

Shark Point, Krabi Also known as Hin Bida, this cluster of rocky pinnacles about an hour from Phi Phi is a protected marine sanctuary rich with life. The main draw is the resident leopard sharks that laze on the sandy seabed, alongside colourful soft corals, moray eels and turtles. Its reliable conditions make it a firm favourite on Phuket and Krabi day-trip itineraries.

Ko Lipe, Satun Tucked into the far south near the Malaysian border within Tarutao National Marine Park, Ko Lipe offers pristine reefs and a mellow, uncrowded scene. The clear waters around the island shelter healthy hard corals, reef sharks and abundant tropical fish. Its remoteness keeps visitor numbers down, rewarding those who make the journey with some of Thailand’s most untouched diving.

Sail Rock, Gulf of Thailand Rising from open water between Ko Tao and Ko Pha Ngan, Sail Rock is the Gulf’s signature dive site. Its famous vertical chimney, a swim-through that ascends the pinnacle from around 18 metres, is a memorable highlight, and the site is a hotspot for whale-shark sightings in season. Great visibility and dense schooling fish make it worth the boat ride from either island.

Ko Chang, Trat In Thailand’s far east near the Cambodian border, the reefs and wrecks around Ko Chang offer easy-going diving away from the busier hubs. The site of the 1941 Battle of Ko Chang, its waters hold several sunken warships that now serve as artificial reefs draped in coral. Gentle conditions and shallow sites make it a good region for relaxed diving and fresh certifications.

Surin Islands, Phang Nga Beyond Richelieu Rock, the wider Surin archipelago offers some of Thailand’s healthiest and most colourful shallow coral gardens. Sheltered bays with excellent visibility make it as rewarding for snorkellers as for divers, with turtles and reef sharks commonly seen. The islands are home to the Moken “sea gypsies”, adding a cultural dimension to a national-park diving trip.