Complete Guide: Best Diving In Thailand

You’ve decided to book your flights and now you’re wondering if you can do any diving in Thailand? Of course, you can! Thailand might be a big country, but there are also great benefits when it comes to diving.

Depending on the seasons, you could find yourself diving in the Andaman Sea or in the Gulf of Thailand.

Wondering where to find the best places to dive in Thailand? I’ve done some research. In this post, you’ll find out more about where to dive in Thailand, what are the best seasons when it comes to diving in Thailand and everything you should know before your trip (including what to pack).

Best Places to Dive in Thailand

Best Scuba-diving in Thailand

Diving in Andaman Sea, Thailand

Thailand Diving Season – Andaman Sea

Best dive sites in Thailand

The best time to dive in the Andaman Sea would be from November to May. It could be possible to dive during the rainy season, but the visibility will be reduced. When it comes to diving, we all want great visibility, isn’t that right?

To make it easier for you, I have divided the dive sites by land locations. That way you can see the options around your destinations.

Best Diving Around Koh Lanta, Thailand

Diving from Koh Lanta isn’t necessarily the cheapest as some of the dive sites are located quite far from the island. Some sites are much closer to Koh Phi Phi or Phuket. Although, if you aren’t planning on heading there during your Thailand trip, you can still access these dive sites from Koh Lanta.

You might also like to read about Koh Lanta here.

Best Dive Sites Around Koh Lanta, Thailand:

• Koh Haa
• Bida Nok & Bida Nai
• King Cruiser Wreck
• Hin Daeng & Muang
• Koh Rok

What to expect from diving in Koh Lanta, Thailand:

If you’re lucky enough, you might be able to see manta rays and whale sharks from February to April. There’s a lot to see in these waters: batfish, octopus, barracuda schools, colorful fish, etc.

Best Diving Around Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

If Koh Phi Phi is pretty popular for the party animals out there, it’s also well known for its diving opportunities. Koh Phi Phi is also a great base for those who want to scuba dive around as it’s close to many important dive sites.

Best Dive Sites in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand:

• Bida Nok & Bida Nai
• Hin Daeng & Muang
• Hin Dot (also known as Chimney Rock)
• Malong Bay
• Kled Gaeow Wreck

What to expect from diving in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand:

Diving in Koh Phi Phi promises a lot of beautiful colorful reefs. You might be able to spot leopard sharks, seahorses and triggerfish. Then if you’re lucky, you might even sea manta rays or whale sharks from February to April.

Best Diving Around Phuket, Thailand

Phuket has great diving options for shore diving as well as boat diving. It’s a popular destination if you’re thinking of going to the popular Similan and Surin Islands. You can also access some of the best dive sites around Koh Phi Phi from Phuket.

Best Dive Sites Around Phuket, Thailand:

• Shark Point
• Racha Noi South Tip
• Koh Dok Mai
• Anemone Reef
• Bida Nok & Bida Nai
• Dive sites around Similan Islands
• Dive sites around Surin Islands

What to expect from diving in Phuket, Thailand:

Diving around Phuket is surely fascinating. Expect to see tuna, barracuda, butterflyfish, angelfish, turtles and trumpetfish.  You could also see whale sharks from February to May.

Best Diving Around Koh Lipe, Thailand

Koh Lipe is located close to the Malaysian border in the very south of Thailand. The island is basically on the border of the Tarutao National Marine Park which is good news for divers! There are many exciting dive sites in the region as well as great night diving opportunities.

Best Dive Sites Around Koh Lipe, Thailand:

• Tarutao National Marine Park
• Stone Henge
• 8 Mile Rock
• Koh Taru
• Far Islands

What to expect from diving in Koh Lipe, Thailand:

There’s a lot to see – dolphins, different types of wales, rays as well as sharks. Imagine tuna, mackerel and barracuda.

Diving in the Gulf of Thailand

Thailand Diving Season – Gulf of Thailand

Best places to dive in Thailand

Diving in the Gulf of Thailand is better at some other time of the year. Its peak would be from May to September. The visibility would be reduced during the rainy season.

Best Diving Around Koh Tao, Thailand

Note that you can also find great diving options from Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, although, most dive sites are closer to Koh Tao.

Koh Tao might be a tiny island, but it’s pretty rich in terms of diving sites. Offering over 25 different dive sites, there’s a lot to explore around the island. I personally had my Open Water Course in Koh Tao, you can read about it here.

You might also like to read about Koh Tao here.

Best Dive Sites in Koh Tao, Thailand

Book your dives in Koh Tao on La Bombona Diving Shop:

• Chumphon Pinnacle
• HTMS Sattakut Wreck
• South-West Pinnacle
• White Rock
• Shark Island
• Sail Rock (Close to Koh Phangan)

What to expect from diving around Koh Tao, Thailand

Best place to scuba dive in Thailand

If you’re lucky enough, you could spot whale sharks in April and May. Expect to see triggerfish, reef fish, as well as macro critters and morays. Koh Tao is also a great destination for night diving.

FAQ About Scuba Diving in Thailand

What are the best scuba diving options in Thailand for beginners?

Finding scuba diving in Thailand for beginners is possible! One of the cheapest places to do your Open Water is in Koh Tao. It’s also a great spot for beginners, as the currents aren’t too strong.

How much does scuba diving cost in Thailand?

It can be super cheap or quite expensive, depending on the dive sites you’re planning on diving too and your location. If you’re planning on diving in a further dive site, you’ll end up paying more as the boat ride will be longer.

In Koh Tao, you can find some of the cheapest diving options. Although, you would have much more to discover in the Andaman sea.

You can expect anything starting from TBH 1000 for one dive. (This is an example of one dive in Koh Tao). If you’re booking more than two dives, it goes to TBH 900 per dive.

What to pack for your diving trip to Thailand?

• Your dive log book & your diving card
• Your diving mask and your dive gear if you have your own – otherwise, diving centers offer equipment too
• Swimsuit
• Quick-dry towel
• Dry bag or day backpack
• Underwater cameras
• Poncho towel
• Sunglasses
• Motion sickness tablets (if you’re planning on staying on a liveaboard)
• Reef friendly sunscreen
• Conditioner
• Eye/ear drops
• Universal charger
• Make sure your travel insurance covers you for scuba diving.