Best diving in Thailand - top 8 - Bluewater Dive Travel

Best Diving in Thailand - Top 8

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(8 REVIEWS)
A diver explores a coral reef in Thailand.
Best scuba diving in Thailand coral reef.
Clownfish in their anemone at a Thailand dive site.
An orange sea fan in Thailand.
A colorful reef marks some of the best scuba diving in Thailand.
Fish swim around a colorful reef in Thailand.
A close up photo of a sea urchin taken while diving in Thailand.
A school of barracuda is seen while scuba diving in Thailand.
Wooden boats and limestone karsts at Railay Beach in Thailand.
An aerial view of Koh Tao, an island popular for scuba diving courses in Thailand.
A silhouette of Buddha during a sunset in Thailand.
A longtail boat rests on the sand of Koh Phi Phi, a popular island for scuba diving in Thailand.

Scuba Diving in Thailand

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Thailand diving highlights

Hosting divers in both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand from over 1200 miles of coastline, this scuba destination is a great fit for divers of any level. Scuba diving in Thailand is popular due to the opportunity to dive with whale sharks and manta rays. You can see many pelagics and smaller fish and critters. Many dive sites have beautiful hard and soft coral and abundant marine life.

A diver swims along a vibrant coral reef in Thailand. Clown fish in an anemone on a colorful coral reef while scuba diving in Thailand.

Anemones cover a reef at a dive site in Thailand. A huge sponge surrounded by soft corals at a scuba dive site in Thailand.

Thailand dive schools have a great reputation, which is why it is also known as one of the best destinations to learn scuba diving or develop new skills as a certified diver. A combination of big and small marine life, wrecks and dive sites for a variety of levels makes Thailand one of the best scuba diving destinations in Southeast Asia

Thailand's Best Diving Spots

Pick a destination or scroll down to read the entire list:  

  • 1. Koh Tao - Great reputation for dive schools
  • 2. Koh Phi Phi - Many dive sites for spotting leopard sharks
  • 3. Koh Lipe - Most beautiful soft corals
  • 4. Surin Islands - Unique species and diverse hard and soft coral
  • 5. Similan Islands - Great for spotting manta rays and whale sharks
  • 6. Phuket - Variety of options for different tastes
  • 7. Pattaya - Excellent wreck dives
  • 8. Koh Samui - Calm waters, good visibility, and good to see whale sharks

Can't wait to start planning your trip to Thailand? Get in touch with us to help you plan your trip!


Looking for a Liveaboard in Thailand

The Phinisi master liveabord exterior

Master Liveaboards' The Phinisi is a 34-meter, custom-built diving liveaboard yacht designed in the traditional Indonesian gaff-rigged Phinisi style, complete with 7 sails. It offers liveaboard dive adventures in the stunning waters of Thailand and Myanmar, comfortably accommodating 18 divers. Guests can relax on the spacious dive deck or enjoy meals in the shaded outdoor dining area while taking in breathtaking views. With delicious Thai dishes prepared from fresh, local ingredients and a dedicated crew attending to every need, your diving holiday promises to be both enjoyable and unforgettable.



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1. Koh Tao

Head to the Gulf of Thailand to visit the small island of Koh Tao - the perfect place to try scuba diving for the first time, get your dive certification, or hone your skills underwater. While neighboring Koh Phangan is infamous for its full moon parties and Koh Samui has long been a favorite of backpackers and luxury travelers, Koh Tao is the hotspot for scuba diving in the region. This small island is crowded with backpackers and offers many accommodation options and a great food scene. To get to Koh Tao, you can fly into Koh Samui's International Airport (USM) and then take a taxi or shuttle to a ferry or fast boat departing from one of the piers, all of which can be arranged upon landing at Samui's airport with little hassle.

mantis shrimp A spotted moray eel peeks from a crevice in Thailand.

Great reputation for dive schools

People flock to Koh Tao to begin their underwater journeys and get scuba certified, earning the island a reputation for its great dive schools. You'll find some of the cheapest scuba courses in the world in Koh Tao, with options to get certified by any of the major organizations, including RAID, SSI, and PADI. With easy conditions, numerous dive sites, and tons of accommodation options, it's clear why Koh Tao is so popular for those looking to learn to scuba dive or continue their dive education. Diving in Koh Tao is done by boat to various dive sites surrounding the island. Expect decent visibility (depending on the season) and encounters with colorful reef fish, turtles, barracuda, and macro critters such as nudibranchs, shrimps, and crabs. Lucky divers may even meet a whale shark! Due to the huge, crowded boats used by local dive operators, you can also expect to see plenty of people underwater, which some divers prefer to avoid. 

You may also want to check out our list of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginner Scuba Divers.


 2. Koh Phi Phi

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Visit Thailand's west coast white-sand paradise, the Koh Phi Phi Islands, to experience land-based diving in the Andaman Sea. Shortly after the movie "The Beach" was released in 2000, Koh Phi Phi Don soared in popularity among backpackers and gained a reputation as a party island. However, the island boasts a variety of accommodation options from budget to luxury and attracts all types of tourists seeking picture-perfect white-sand beaches and clear blue waters. Phi Phi is mostly dived from land-based operations, however, some liveaboards offer short itineraries around the islands.

A tigertail seahorse seen while scuba diving in Thailand. A barracuda hovers near a reef in Thailand.

Many dive sites for spotting leopard sharks

Expect to encounter leopard sharks as you explore the dive sites surrounding the Phi Phi Islands, and if you're lucky, you could also see whale sharks and manta rays. Turtles, barracuda, reef sharks, and moray eels are common sightings. Look for macro life on the reefs, where seahorses camouflage and peacock mantis shrimp dart in and out of crevices. Travel by boat to various Phi Phi dive sites boasting beautiful corals and fascinating rock formations. Conditions are suitable for divers of all experience levels, so it's a great place to get your scuba certification or explore deeper dive sites if you're more experienced.


3. Koh Lipe

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Travel further south on Thailand's west coast to the small, idyllic island of Koh Lipe to escape the crowds and explore less frequented dive sites. Stay at a budget hostel, a luxury pool villa, or any of a range of accommodation options. Embrace the barefoot lifestyle on picturesque white sand beaches straight from a postcard and dive into the protected dive sites surrounding the island.

A scuba diver explores a reef with vibrant soft corals in Thailand. Anemones adorn a reef in Thailand.

Most beautiful soft corals

With fewer visitors than Koh Phi Phi and Phuket, the coral reefs around Koh Lipe are better preserved, which makes it a fantastic diving destination. Dive sites around Koh Lipe boast some of Asia's most beautiful soft corals. Koh Lipe is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park, home to many dive sites suitable for divers of all experience levels. Expect to see various tropical fish species, turtles, and dolphins. If you're really lucky, you could even see dugongs and sperm whales! Besides amazing marine life, it also has nice pinnacles and rock formations. Boat diving from land-based operators is the norm in Koh Lipe, and dive sites are reachable within 20-60 minutes. Some liveaboards offer itineraries that include Koh Lipe.

For another great whale destination, check out diving in the Dominican Republic.


4. Surin Islands

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Embark on a liveaboard to the Surin Islands, a remote region in the Andaman Sea that is protected by the UNESCO Environmental Program. Choose from a range of liveaboards, from low-budget to ultra-luxurious, with most itineraries lasting between four and seven nights. 

A moray eel darts past a starfish on a reef in Thailand. An octopus camouflages with the reef in Thailand.

Unique species and diverse hard and soft coral

The Surin Islands' dive sites boast amazing hard coral diversity and bountiful soft coral and are rich in marine life. The remote islands are not as popular among tourists, so you can find some fish species here that you cannot see in other dive destinations in Thailand. You might spot bumphead parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse, tomato anemonefish, yellow-masked angelfish, and barramundi. The Surin Islands can be explored by dive liveaboards that mostly run from October to early May. The Mu Ko Surin Marine National Park is closed to divers for the rest of the year. 

New to liveaboards? Let's help you get started with our Guide to Liveaboard Diving.


5. Similan Islands

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Dive into Thailand's most renowned dive sites around the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea. Visit the famed Richelieu Rock, a dive site on our list of Top 20 Dive Sites in the World. Join a liveaboard out of Phuket to explore the region on a four to seven-night itinerary. 

Scuba diving in Thailand with a school of barracuda. A barrel sponge at a dive site in Thailand.

Great for spotting manta rays and whale sharks

A dive liveaboard is the best way to get the most out of Similan Islands diving. Abundant marine life, big pelagics, soft and hard coral, easy diving conditions, warm waters, and relatively good visibility are reasons many scuba divers are fond of this destination. There are also plenty of macro subjects, but most divers visit the islands to look for manta rays and whale sharks. Moreover, you can see a number of shark species when scuba diving in the Similan Islands.

Interested in diving in the Similan Islands? You can read more about the destination from our Similan Islands Dive Travel Guide or Similan Islands Liveaboards page.


6. Phuket

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Diving in Phuket gives scuba divers many options. You can find some secluded luxurious dive resorts or budget-friendly accommodations, make some day trips to the local reefs, or hop on a liveaboard and let local Thai divers show you some of the best dive sites in Thailand.

A vibrant orange sea fan adorns a reef near Phuket, Thailand. The best diving in Thailand features beautiful coral reefs.

Variety of options for different tastes

Phuket has great sites for experienced divers and options for total beginners to start their diving journey. When diving in Phuket, you can find some great deep drop-offs, pinnacles covered with coral, some caverns and caves, and even some wrecks. The marine life around Phuket ranges from big animals to small creatures. You can meet manta rays, whale sharks, and leopard sharks, but also anemone fish, harlequin shrimp, and ghost ornate pipefish to name a few. 


7. Pattaya

Pattaya is popular with Bangkok residents due to its seaside location, a mere two-hour drive from Thailand's biggest city. Don't mistake Pattaya for a quiet seaside town; it's a large city with pros and cons. The biggest 'pro' is that there is scuba diving in the area, and if you can't make it to the more popular dive regions or just want to sneak in a couple of days of diving on a short trip to Thailand, Pattaya is a convenient option.

A close up of a sea urchin at a Thailand dive site. A lionfish in Thailand.

Excellent Wreck Dives

Scuba diving in Pattaya is known for its excellent wreck dives and nice coral dive sites. One of the most famous coral dive sites is at Koh Man Wichai, where the coral resembles a giant hand and thus has been named as the "fingers". While diving around the beautiful corals, you can spot pufferfish, stingrays, angelfish, and many more. The Pattaya wrecks are also covered with reefs, where you can spot rays, barracudas, batfish, and even sharks. The wrecks are most suitable for advanced divers, as they lay around 100ft (30m) or more. 


8. Koh Samui

Like nearby Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, Koh Samui is a popular holiday destination and more crowded than some other locations in Thailand. You'll find a huge range of accommodation options, from hostels to the Ritz-Carlton, food options from street markets to fine dining, and plenty of activities. Scuba diving is done by boats making day trips to the beautiful dive sites around Koh Samui and Koh Tao.

Moorish idols on a reef in Thailand. Barracuda at a dive site in Thailand.

Calm Waters, Good Visibility, and Good to see Whale Sharks

Some of the best dive sites in Thailand, like Sail Rock, are very close to Koh Samui. A highlight of diving around Koh Samui is the chance to spot whale sharks. You can also see many barracudas, turtles, jackfish, and various nudibranchs and shrimp for macro lovers. Additionally, the diving conditions in the Gulf of Thailand are good throughout the year, with calm waters and generally good visibility. 


Top Dive Sites in Thailand

Thailand's diving is varied between regions, but if you're looking for the top dive sites on both coasts of Thailand, we've got you covered! Here are our picks for the top dive sites in Thailand:

Hin Daeng & Hin Muang

Many scuba divers will say these are their favorite dive sites. They offer great wall dives and caverns, as well as big pelagics and lots of other beautiful marine life. You may even spot manta rays and whale sharks here. Colorful soft corals are all around, and you can see many schools of fish. Be aware that the currents can be strong; thus, it is recommended for more advanced divers. Both of the dive sites are located outside of the Similan Islands. 

Shark Point

Explore the Shark Point dive site near Phi Phi and close to Anemone Reef to seek the leopard sharks often seen in the area. Expect underwater pinnacles adorned with soft and hard coral, anemones, and gorgeous sea fans. Look for camouflaged scorpionfish, cute pufferfish, moray eels, and macro life, including shrimp, crabs, and nudibranchs. Dive operators in Phuket, Phi Phi, and Railay Beach make day trips to Shark Point and Anemone Reef, and liveaboards include the sites on some southern itineraries.

Anemone Reef

As the name says, you can expect to dive past beautiful blue and green-colored anemones. As part of a marine sanctuary, Anemone Reefs' marine life is very colorful.  The site itself lies near Shark Point, which is why you can encounter reef sharks and leopard sharks at the dive site. Besides the sharks, you can spot some turtles, giant moray eels, lionfish, and even some seahorses, nudibranchs, and porcelain crabs for macro lovers. Along the anemones, you can see some beautiful soft pink and purple corals. 

Check out our guide to diving Alor's Anemone Valley.

Richelieu Rock

The dive site is located between Surin & Similan Islands and is the best place to see schools of barracudas, many tropical fish, whale sharks, and manta rays. Because of nutrient full planktons, there is a high chance to scuba dive with whale sharks. The dive site is a horseshoe-shaped rock covered with soft corals, anemones, sea fans, and sponges. The dive spot attracts lots of marine life, and you may see cuttlefish, seahorses, and pipefish, just to name a few. 

Chumphon Pinnacle

One of the most popular dive sites in Koh Tao, this huge pinnacle is covered with pink anemones, where pink anemonefish come around, as well as some scorpionfish, moray eels, crabs, and shrimp. Besides them, along the pinnacle, you can see some barracuda, bannerfish, mackerels, trevally, big-eyed jacks, and many more. Even whale sharks can make an appearance there. 

Sail Rock 

Another popular dive site in Koh Tao with a rock wall drop. Being further from the main island and away from the masses, it attracts abundant marine life. Batfish, soldierfish, crabs, giant groupers, giant moray eels, blue spotted trout, and nudibranchs are just a few examples of marine life you might see. What is special about this dive site is that you can actually dive inside a rock! There is an interesting swim-through called the chimney, which is very fun to dive, but it is more suitable for experienced divers, who have good buoyancy control. 

HTMS Sattakut wreck

Laying at a depth of 100ft (30m), this wreck is surrounded by colorful marine life and is considered one of Thailand's best wrecks. It has three canons, cabins, and rooms to explore and to see its many resident fish. You can spot groupers, snappers, sweetlips, barracudas, blennies, moray eels, butterflyfish, and more. 

best diving in thailand

 

Diving Information

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Intro to Thailand

The Southeast Asian country, which has a tropical climate and warm waters, is known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, stunning temples, rich culture, and delicious food. It is not hard to guess why many people are attracted to visit Thailand. Most of the best scuba diving sites are in the southeast of Thailand, in the Andaman Sea. On the east coast, on the Gulf of Thailand, lies Koh Tao, one of the most popular destinations for dive certifications.

Small wooden boats in a bay with limestone karsts in the background at Railay Beach in Thailand.

All around Thailand, you can find diverse marine life and beautiful corals. The destination offers many opportunities for scuba divers to dive at beautiful reefs, explore wrecks, deep drop-offs, caverns, pinnacles, walls, and tunnels. Besides scuba diving, Thailand offers plenty of topside activities. Some of the islands offer great nightlife, while some others are quieter and great for relaxing. 

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Thailand Marine Life

In general, the Andaman Sea boasts a larger variety of fish species and coral. As to what you can expect to see - the coastline and islands stretch over a large distance so it greatly depends on where you choose to dive. Manta rays, whale sharks, black/white tips, and turtles are just a few of the "big things" to expect. Not only is it a great destination to see big fish, but Thailand also has many macro photography subjects.   

Here is a list of the marine animals you are likely to see when diving Thailand's best dive spots

  • Whale Shark
  • Manta Ray
  • Leopard Shark
  • Whitetip Shark
  • Blacktip Shark
  • Spotted Eagle Ray
  • Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray
  • Pufferfish
  • Trevally
  • Trumpetfish
  • Butterflyfish
  • Triggerfish
  • Lionfish
  • Moray Eel
  • Angelfish
  • Boxfish
  • Turtles
  • Barracudas
  • Ghost Pipefish
  • Seahorses

Diving Conditions

  • Water Temperatures: 81-84 F / 27-30 C
  • Visibility: Varies from 16-131 ft (5-40m).
  • Depth Range: 16-131 ft (5-40 m)

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Travel Information 

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How to Get There

Thailand currently has six international airports, with Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok being the main gateway to the country. It is easy to get anywhere from Bangkok, with varied transportation options, including domestic flights, trains, buses, and boats. You can also fly internationally into the airports in Krabi (great for accessing Railay Beach), Phuket (where you'll head to Phi Phi or on a liveaboard to the Similans), or Koh Samui (a 1.5-hour catamaran or 2.5-hour ferry ride to Koh Tao). 

Looking for another hot dive destination in Southeast Asia? Read about scuba diving in Indonesia

How to Dive Thailand

Liveaboards are available to explore the Andaman Sea and Similan Islands and reach dive sites you otherwise can't reach. Thus, liveaboard diving would be the best option for getting the most out of diving in Thailand. There are also dive resorts available around Thailand and plenty of standalone dive operators. Phuket, Phi Phi Islands, and Khao Lak are the best resort destinations. Don't expect local dive guides; unlike Indonesia and the Philippines, Thailand's dive scene is often run by expats, with locals working as support staff and boat crew.

A person enjoys the best scuba diving in Thailand.

Best Time to Dive

Within the Gulf of Thailand, diving is available almost year-round. November is the beginning of the monsoon season in which visibility drops and heavy rainstorms can occur, but by the end of December things typically have gone back to normal. On the Andaman side, dive times are more limited. Some areas are only available to dive parts of the year (like the Similans and Koh Lanta). In general, October to April is the best time to dive into the Andaman Sea.

Topside & Non-Diving Activities

You can try to "island-hop" to different destinations by comparing their offerings. Every island has its own personality, so certain islands would fit best depending on what you are looking for. Looking for a night out in the town? Koh Phi Phi on the Andaman side or Koh Tao in the gulf would be a good start. Prefer a relaxing evening instead? The Andamans, Koh Lanta, or Koh Samui in the Gulf could be better alternatives. 

Head inland to Chiang Mai and/or Chiang Rai to experience Northern Thailand's unique landscapes, culture, and food. You won't find any diving in Northern Thailand, but you can embark on some excellent nature tours, see some different temples, and feel a different vibe than you'll find on the islands. Be sure to try Khao Soi, an incredibly delicious Northern dish featuring noodles, chicken, and toppings in a flavorful curry broth.

A Buddha in a tree in Thailand. A silhouette of Buddha in Thailand.

Thailand is known for its beautiful beaches and some impressive temples. Don't forget to visit the famous Grand Palace or Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Some of the other things to do are to see the Muay Thai boxing match, visit a floating market, go hiking, or discover their beautiful nature. Moreover, get all your tension out with a proper Thai massage. In case you have never tried a Thai massage, then just a heads up, don't expect it to be relaxing, but for sure, it will make you feel much better afterward! 

Wherever you end up in Thailand, the rich culture and sensational food scene will not disappoint. Visit bustling night markets to try a variety of street food and purchase souvenirs. Please be wary of any attractions purporting to be animal sanctuaries, as many do not operate as true sanctuaries and use the animals for entertainment to interact directly with visitors. There are currently no accredited animal sanctuaries in Thailand. 

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Liveaboard Availability & Booking

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Please contact us for the latest availability of the following boats: Diva Andaman, Similan Explorer, MV Hallelujah, Dolphin Queen, Deep Andaman Queen, MV Giamani, DiveRACEMV Oktavia, and MV Pawara.

 

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Other Useful Information 

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Practical Information

  • Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
  • Language: Thai is the national and official language of Thailand
  • Main Airport Code: BKK
  • Time Zone: UTC+7
  • Electricity: The standard voltage is 220 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz.
  • Vaccines: Please check the CDC website for updated information on vaccines, health concerns, etc. It is recommended that you are up to date with Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Hepatitis, and Polio for any trip to the tropics.
  • Visa: U.S. citizens carrying a tourist passport and in possession of an onward or return airline ticket do not require a visa to enter Thailand.

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Scuba Gear

You can now buy all the best scuba gear with Bluewater! Check out our wide selection of top-rated dive equipment, including Tusa dive masks, Aqualung Titan regulators, Mares BCDs, and more!

Further Reading

Check out these useful resources from our sister websites, Bluewater Photo, and Underwater Photography Guide

Southeast Asia's Best Underwater Photography Destinations

Top 10 Macro Photography Destinations

Wet Wide Angle Lens Buyer's Guide

Wet Macro Lens Buyer's Guide

Best Underwater Cameras 

Best Underwater Photography Equipment 

Reviews (8)

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This is a very honest review of Koh Tao.

As an experienced diver based in Indonesia, I found the diving in Koh Tao completely underwhelming. I only did four dives during a weeklong stay, and that was at least two more than I needed to get a good picture of the diving scene in Koh Tao. I will caveat this by explaining that the visibility was poor in late October, sometimes down to just a few meters. The four sites I visited were Red Rock, Green Rock, White Rock, and Twins. The most interesting part of the dives tended to be when we headed up for our safety stop, and there were hundreds of Christmas tree worms, which were not at all disturbed by me getting up close for a good look, unlike those in Indonesia that tend to hide if you get close. I mostly encountered other divers underwater, with instructors hauling DSDs directly overhead or large groups of new divers cutting directly through the middle of our group. Every dive site was crowded.

In my experience, the dive operations are a bit chaotic. We boarded the enormous wooden boat from a small tender that left the beach in front of the dive resort, and once onboard, we would go upstairs for a boat briefing, then down to set up our equipment, and back upstairs for the duration of the cruise to the dive site and a site briefing. Fortunately, the boat was far from full when I was there because I definitely would not have joined a second day if it were at capacity. The dives were all led by inexperienced, newly-certified, mostly American divemasters. As such, the dive experience varied between guides. The surface interval was spent on the boat, with cookies, tea, and coffee available. The chaotic logistics began after completing the second dive, when we headed for a major pier (we were not forewarned and had not brought shoes). The boat then tied onto another boat and we were instructed to form a chain across several huge boats to pass the bags of dive equipment to the pier. This was very unexpected. Once we climbed through several boats, we disembarked on a rusty pier and walked to a parking area, where local taxi trucks picked us up and delivered us back to the dive resort. All of this was fine for me but would be problematic for anyone with mobility issues.

I visit Thailand regularly because I love the food. Koh Tao did not disappoint on that front, and I savoured dishes like laab moo, the best masaman curry I've had, a Southern attempt at khao soi, and a variety of tasty western dishes at the restaurant located at our hotel. I spent most of the time working on my laptop in my room or at the beachside restaurant, so this was a cheap destination that suited my purposes while my friend was out diving daily. It was relatively easy to get to, flying to Samui via Singapore, then booked a taxi and ferry with Lomprayah at the desk at the airport. There were ATMs at the Samui airport, as well as a money changer. The ferry was not that comfortable, with hard plastic seats, and we had to carry our suitcases to the front of the ferry and then collect them while everyone else was trying to do the same and disembark. On the return, we booked a catamaran instead, and it was much more comfortable and organized, although the boat swayed more than the ferry (for those who get seasick, the ferry would be a better option). Koh Tao was almost entirely cash only, which caused some problems for us because the ATMs ran out of cash midway through our stay.

Overall, I can see why Koh Tao is so popular with young backpackers looking to party and try scuba diving or get certified. I recommend skipping for experienced divers, mature travelers, and those with higher budgets.

Visited on 10/2024 - Submitted on 11/17/2024
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I did my open water and advanced certification in Thailand. All of my diving was on the west coast around Railay Beach, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and the Similan Islands. Seeing my first shark is what got me hooked, and why I did 24 dives in as many days. The marine life I encountered on those dives spoiled me, with lots of eels, leopard sharks, barracuda, turtles, rays, cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, seahorses, and reef sharks. I enjoyed the diving and the variety of conditions I got to experience while on a liveaboard in the Similan and Surin Islands. I also enjoyed all of the day trips from various laid-back backpacker spots. Topside Thailand holds just as much (if not more) thrall for me - the food, the people, and the stunning landscapes are some of my favourites in the world. It's worth taking time to see more of Thailand than just the southern beach and diving areas, so try to visit Northern Thailand for different cuisines and experiences.

Visited on 12/2009 - Submitted on 04/26/2024
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Thailand is not on many seasoned dive travelers bucket list, but here are a few reasons why it should be:
- world class dive sites like Richelieu Rock in the Similan Islands, King Cruiser wreck in Koh Phi Phi, and the pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang
- go in the right season (Dec to Mar) and you should see a ton of marine life including big schools of jack and barracuda, whale sharks, mantas and many more
- good for macro and wide angle
- really friendly people and amazing thai food
- great beaches, isolated islands, and fun cities to visit before or after scuba diving
- very affordable and easy on the pocket
I was on a liveaboard trip and that is the best way to dive Thailand as most of the thai best dive sites are a long commute from land.

Visited on 01/2016 - Submitted on 03/24/2020
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Hin Daeng and Hin Muang

Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are widely considered the best dive sites in Thailand outside of the Similans. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are two dive sites on the west coast of Thailand that can be accessed by either live aboard or by day trips out of Ko Phi Phi or Ko Lanta. These two sites are best known for their frequency in Manta Ray and Whale shark sightings. Both scuba dive sites are remote deep water pinnacles. Hin Deang just barely breaks the surface, where as Hin Muang is a submerged pinnacle with its base on one side leveling out around 60 meters, and the other side is a vertical wall that plunges into a deep abyss. Both sites are more advanced sites, and Hin Muang often has relatively strong currents. Both sites are right next to each and always dived together in one trip. At both dive sites you will see huge schools of fish, pelagics, lion fish, nudibranchs, Manta Rays, whale sharks, and reef sharks. Both sites are within the boundaries of a marine park and attract a massive amount of life. The ride out to the dive diving spots can be rough, and if you are doing a day trip out of Ko Lanta/ Ko Phi Phi it will take about 2 1/2 hours to make it out to the site. Diving these two sites in Thailand on a day trip will take up an entire day. Due to the remoteness of these two sites, crowds are not something you have to worry about when scuba diving here. Anyone diving on the West coast of Thailand should not miss these two sites.

Visited on 02/2012 - Submitted on 06/06/2015
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Koh Tao, Thailand

I lived and worked on Koh Tao as a Dive Master for a year. Getting your open water certification is on the list of things to do for most young people back packing through Thailand. More open water certs are completed on Koh Tao than any other location in the world. Koh Tao is a small vibrant island in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Tao has good diving, great night life, and plenty of topside activities to do.

The Diving: There are good things and bad things about diving on Koh Tao. First we will start off with some of the negative aspects of diving Koh Tao. Koh Tao dive sites can be very crowded. Some of the larger resort boats hold close to 50 divers. Dive sites like White Rock, Twins, Japanese Gardens can have a dozen boats onsite all at once. Sometimes dive sites look like parking lots. Also due to the fact that most people are on Koh Tao to learn to dive, there is a huge number of beginner divers everywhere. Now for the good things. Due to the fact there is a huge number of dive ops, all of which are very different, it's easy to find one that offers what you are looking for. There are small shops with small boats, big shops with big boats, etc. Also the diving is cheap, really cheap. Due to all the competition on the island, courses and diving prices are extremely low and affordable. There is also a variety of dive sites for both beginners and more experienced divers. Notable sites are Laem Thian with great swim throughs, and geographical features, frequented by black tips. Chumpon Pinnacle was my favorite site, which is frequented by bull sharks, whale sharks, huge schools of fish, tornadoes of barracuda, and giant groupers. White rock, which can be crowded at certain times, is a nice reef with lots of life, no shortage of morays and blue spotted sting rays. Sail Rock is also easily accessible from Koh Tao, and Sail Rock is without a doubt the best site in the Gulf of Thailand. Sail Rock is frequented by whale sharks, bull sharks, huge schools of fish, big schools of barracuda and Trevally, as well as a few resident giant morays. Turtles can be seen on the island but are surprisingly scarce, and also you WILL NOT see a manta ray in the gulf of Thailand. There are also a couple of wrecks on the island that were sunk to make artificial reefs. The diving on Koh Tao is good, but it is not world class, and is even not as good as the diving on the West Coast of Thailand. But it is a great island that is lots of fun and definitely worth visiting.

Topside: Koh Tao has a large variety of restaurants and resorts. Everything from 5 start luxury resorts, to dirt cheap hostels. Koh Tao also has a great night life and huge party scene. Lots of bars, and drinks are very cheap. Choppers is an Aussie owned sports bar on the island that opens early and they show NFL games, Soccer, Baseball, Cricket, everything, so you can still watch your favorite sports games while on the island. Rock Climbing is another popular topside activity on the island, companies like Good Times Adventures offers a variety of activities other than diving. Koh Tao is also a great place to learn free diving. There are a few free diving schools on the island with great instructors.

Getting to the island is also relatively easy. From Bangkok you can book transport down from a few different companies, such as SongSerm, and Lompraya. Buses run from Bangkok to Chumpon, where you board a ferry that takes you to either Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, or Koh Samui. You can also fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui, and then jump on a ferry or speed boat over to Koh Tao.

Visited on 10/2010 - Submitted on 06/06/2015

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