Diving in Thailand
From the dramatic limestone cliffs and boulder-filled dive sites of the Andaman Sea to the calm, coral-rich waters of the Gulf of Thailand, this Southeast Asian paradise offers a diving experience for every kind of adventurer.
Thailand’s underwater world is as diverse as its landscapes — you could be gliding alongside whale sharks at remote pinnacles one day, and practicing buoyancy control over technicolor coral gardens the next.
Warm tropical waters, world-class dive training, and an easygoing island lifestyle make Thailand a favorite for both new and seasoned divers. Add in the chance to explore hidden caverns, swim with turtles, or discover rare macro critters on a night dive — and you’ve got a destination that doesn’t just live up to the hype, it exceeds it.
Whether you're chasing the big stuff or falling in love with the tiny details, Thailand delivers unforgettable underwater moments in every direction.
Why Dive in Thailand?
🌊 Two coastlines = double the dive sites — Andaman Sea (West) & Gulf of Thailand (East)
🦈 Encounters with big marine life — Whale sharks, manta rays, leopard shark
🪸 Gorgeous coral reefs — Soft and hard corals, anemone gardens, massive sea fans
📷 Top-tier macro life — Seahorses, nudibranchs, frogfish, and rare shrimp
🌞 Year-round diving options — With different seasons for each coas
🌴 Diving for all levels — Easy sites for beginners and drift or deep dives for the pros
🗓️ Best Time to Dive
Thailand has two main diving seasons, depending on the coast:
Andaman Sea (West): November to May — best for Similan, Phi Phi, Richelieu
Gulf of Thailand (East): March to September — ideal for Koh Tao & Koh Samui
Avoid: The monsoon season (May–October on the west coast; November–February on the east) due to rough seas and limited visibility
Travel Tips for Divers
🚤 Liveaboards are the best way to reach remote dive spots like Similan or Richelieu
🎒 Bring reef-safe sunscreen, dive insurance, and a dive computer if you’re doing deep or repetitive dives
📸 Pack spare batteries and memory cards — macro and wide-angle opportunities are everywhere
🎓 Many shops offer dive courses — from Open Water to Divemaster
What You’ll See
Thailand’s dive sites are as colorful as its cuisine — here’s just a taste of what you might encounter:
Big Life: Whale sharks, manta rays, leopard sharks, turtles, reef sharks
Reef Life: Butterflyfish, angelfish, groupers, parrotfish, moray eels, Triggersfish
Macro Life: Nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp, seahorses
Rare Sightings: Seahorses, frogfish, whale sharks (especially March–May)
Last updated: February 2025
Top Dive Destinations in Thailand
Koh Phi Phi (Andaman Sea)
Famous for its scenery and the setting of The Beach, Phi Phi also boasts fantastic reef diving, relaxed conditions, and the chance to dive year-round, though visibility improves in dry season.
🤿Dive Highlights:
Shallow sites like Maya Corner and Loh Sama Bay are ideal for newer divers
Cavern and wall diving at Palong Wall, where turtles and blacktip reef sharks are often seen
Macro life including nudibranchs, pipefish, and even seahorses
Night dives reveal phosphorescent plankton, crabs, and octopuses
💡Tip: Phi Phi is great for dive + chill trips — mix your underwater adventures with hiking, snorkeling, and beach time.
Access: Easy boat connections from Phuket, Krabi, and Ao Nang.
Koh Tao (Gulf of Thailand)
Koh Tao means “Turtle Island,” and it’s Thailand’s go-to spot for affordable dive training and relaxed reef exploration. While it’s famous for Open Water courses, it also offers plenty for certified divers and macro lovers.
🤿Dive Highlights:
Great beginner sites like Japanese Gardens and Twins
Wreck diving at the HTMS Sattakut, an ex-naval ship lying at 30 meters
Night dives reveal Spanish dancers, hunting morays, and bioluminescence
Occasional whale shark sightings at deeper sites like Chumphon Pinnacle and Southwest Pinnacle
💡Tip: Stay a few days — there are over 20 dive sites around the island, and the vibe is perfect for unwinding after your dives.
📅Best Time: March to September is the best window, with calm seas and warm waters around 29°C.
Koh Lanta & Hin Daeng/Hin Muang (Andaman Sea)
Located further south, Koh Lanta is a laid-back island that gives access to two of Thailand’s most spectacular deep-water dive sites — Hin Daeng (Red Rock) and Hin Muang (Purple Rock).
🤿Dive Highlights:
Thailand’s deepest drop-offs, down to 70 meters
Dramatic walls covered in purple soft corals, huge sea fans, and crinoids
Regular sightings of manta rays, and whale sharks when lucky
Lots of pelagic action: trevallies, tuna, barracuda, and reef sharks
💡Tip: Plan a few days on Koh Lanta and join day trips to Hin Daeng/Muang — you can also explore closer sites like Koh Haa, with amazing visibility and lagoon dives.
📅Best Time: November to April — outside of this, conditions can be too rough.
Richelieu Rock (Andaman Sea)
Located in the middle of the sea, Richelieu Rock is an isolated pinnacle that rises from 40 meters to just below the surface. It’s Thailand’s most iconic dive site, part of the Surin Marine Park and famous for intense marine life action.
🤿Dive Highlights:
Whale sharks are frequently spotted during peak season (Feb–April)
Macro lovers rejoice: harlequin shrimp, ghost pipefish, and frogfish are common
Schooling barracuda, batfish, and snappers create thrilling swim-throughs
The entire rock is coated in violet soft corals — it’s breathtaking
💡Tip: Conditions can be rough and currents strong — this is a dive site for advanced divers only. Best visited via liveaboard from Khao Lak.
Similan & Surin Islands (Andaman Sea)
These protected archipelagos are the crown jewels of Thai diving. Located off the west coast, the Similan Islands (and the more remote Surin Islands) boast incredible biodiversity, stunning visibility (up to 40 meters!), and massive granite boulders that create tunnels, archways, and canyons.
🤿Dive Highlights:
Famous sites like Elephant Head Rock, East of Eden, and North Point
Surin is home to Richelieu Rock, often considered Thailand’s best single dive site
Great chance to see pelagics like manta rays and whale sharks in season
Soft coral gardens, giant trevallies, moray eels, and colorful anthias everywhere
💡Tip: The Similans are best explored via liveaboard trips, usually 3–5 days departing from Khao Lak. Some operators also combine Similan, Surin, and Richelieu Rock into one epic itinerary.
Marine Parks: Entrance fees apply, and trips operate only during the dry season (November to May).
Whether you’re earning your first certification or chasing pelagics on a deep pinnacle, diving in Thailand is a tropical dream. The waters are warm, the locals are welcoming, and every dive brings something new — from the tiniest nudibranch to the largest whale shark.
Pack your gear, charge your camera, and get ready to explore a world where every bubble tells a story. 🌊🐠
Conservation & Responsible Diving in Thailand
Thailand’s reefs are stunning — but they’re also vulnerable. Coral bleaching, marine debris, and overuse by tourism are real threats. Here's how you can help protect these underwater wonders:
💙 Practice perfect buoyancy to avoid contact with corals and sea life
🚫 Don’t touch or feed marine animals — respect their natural behaviors
♻️ Skip the plastic — bring your own water bottle, tote bag, and reef-safe sunscreen
🌱 Support eco-certified dive shops that promote sustainability (look for partners with Green Fins Thailand, Project AWARE, or local marine parks)
🐠 Follow local guidelines in national marine parks like the Similan Islands — these areas are vital for reef recovery
How Divers & Travelers Can Help Protect Coral Reefs
🌱 Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen – Avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, which harm corals. Opt for mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
🐠 Follow "Look But Don’t Touch" Rules – Never touch, stand on, or break coral. Even slight contact can cause damage.
⚓ Practice Responsible Diving & Snorkeling – Avoid stirring up sand, as it can smother corals. Always secure dive gear to prevent accidental contact.
🚤 Support Eco-Friendly Tourism – Choose dive operators committed to sustainable practices, such as reef restoration and responsible waste management.
🗑️ Reduce Plastic Use – Plastics break down into microplastics, which are harmful to marine life. Always dispose of waste properly and participate in beach cleanups.
🐟 Eat Sustainable Seafood – Overfishing depletes reef fish populations. Use seafood guides (like the WWF Seafood Guide) to make responsible choices.
🔬 Support Coral Restoration Efforts – Many organizations, like Coral Restoration Foundation and REEFCheck, are working to plant and restore corals. Consider volunteering or donating.
Where Can You Still See Healthy Coral Reefs?
While some reefs are suffering, many still thrive, especially in marine-protected areas. Here are a few of the best places to see vibrant coral reefs:
Raja Ampat, Indonesia – One of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world.
Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines – A UNESCO World Heritage Site with pristine coral.
The Maldives – Home to spectacular coral atolls and marine life.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia – While parts have suffered bleaching, conservation efforts are helping reefs recover.
The Red Sea, Egypt – Warm, clear waters and incredible reef diversity.
Coral reefs are fragile but resilient—with the right actions, they can recover and thrive. As divers and ocean lovers, we have a responsibility to protect them for future generations.
Let’s keep our reefs alive! 🌊🐠
✅ Must-Haves (Don’t Skip These)
Reef-Safe Sunscreen – Regular sunscreen damages coral reefs. Go reef-safe (and it actually works in the humidity). This one’s great https://amzn.to/426EeAr
Universal Travel Adapter – A universal adapter is a lifesaver if you’re bouncing to other countries.
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Reusable Water Bottle (with filter if possible) – Stay hydrated without buying endless plastic bottles.
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Essential Packing For Your Upcoming Adventures 🎒
✨ Nice-to-Haves (Make Your Trip Way Easier)
Waterproof Camera (GoPro) – For underwater snorkeling, surf footage, and waterfalls.
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Camera (Good but Affordable) – If you want better photos without going pro-level, something like the Canon EOS R50 or Sony a6400 with a kit lens is a solid travel pick: https://amzn.to/3HAU67w
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DJI Mini Drone – Capture epic coastlines and jungle views without carrying a giant drone.
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Earplugs – Between howler monkeys and surf towns with late-night music, you’ll want them.
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Travel Hammock (lightweight packable) – Perfect for chilling on the beach or jungle stays.
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Sun Hat/Cap – Foldable ones pack easily. This one works well: https://amzn.to/4pfaAmP
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