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scuba diving places in thailand

Best Scuba Diving Places in Thailand

Every tourist dreams of visiting Thailand at least once in his lifetime, not only because of the serene beaches and raging nightlife but also because of the adventure sports this country offers. If you love the feeling of adrenaline kicking in and a surge in your energy level, scuba diving in Thailand, the diving darling of Southeast Asia, is something you cannot miss. Easily an experience of your lifetime, scuba diving is one of Thailand’s biggest attractions that draws in thousands of tourists and water sports enthusiasts yearly.

If you love exploring the hidden treasures of the deep seas, check out the list of the best and most sensational diving places in Thailand that will leave you awestruck with sheer beauty nestled within the lap of seas.

List of 15 Famous Scuba Diving Places in Thailand

The experience of listening to your heart beating at a fast pace, gliding through the water, watching unique marine species passing you by and watching your breath bubble up will stay with you forever while you scuba dive in the azure blue waters of Thailand. If you are looking forward to making your trip to Thailand a memorable experience, here’s a list of the best places to dive in Thailand to help plan your vacation. From the deep blue waters of the Similan Islands to the amazing aquatic life of Koh Tao, Thailand has a lot to offer. So let's delve right in.

  • Surin Island. A Tranquil Thai Paradise
  • Similan Islands. A Trip to a Gorgeous Location
  • Richelieu Rock. The Best Diving Site in Thailand
  • Koh Phi Phi. A Serene and Incredibly Beautiful Island
  • Koh Lanta. For the Perfect Island Feeling
  • Koh Tao. Soak in the Beauty of Palm-fringed Beaches
  • Chumphon Pinnacle. The Best Dive Site Near Koh Tao
  • King Cruiser Wreck. An Advanced Certified Divers Site
  • Ko Chang. Enjoy a Unique Diving Experience at HTMS Chang
  • Sail Rock. Dive into the Epic Gulf of Thailand
  • Koh Samui. A Divers’ Paradise on Earth
  • Koh Ma Islands. Renowned for Whale Shark Sightings
  • Shark Point. A Famous Marine Sanctuary
  • Koh Tachai. Enjoy an Incredible Diving Experience
  • Koh Bon. Scuba Diving with Manta Ray

1. Surin Island | A Tranquil Thai Paradise

Surin Islands is an archipelago of five different islands, each with its natural beauty to offer. All the islands are closely located and dotted with bright corals, making this destination perfect for snorkelling apart from offering the best diving in Thailand. Hiking is another popular activity besides scuba diving, making Surin Islands a famous tourist destination.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head. INR 3000
  • Best Diving Spot. Richelieu Rock
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Buri Ram Airport | 46.7 km

Also Read - Best Places To Visit In Thailand

2. Similan Islands | A Trip to a Gorgeous Location

Equally loved by tourists and nature lovers alike, Similan Islands is a treasure trove of nature’s beauty. The white sand and the clear blue water add to the charm of the Similan Islands, which provides the perfect respite for vacationers. The Similan Islands National Park is a declared UNESCO heritage site and should be included in your itinerary.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 7000 - 8000
  • Best Diving Spot: Hin Pusar ( Elephant Head)
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Phuket International Airport | 70 km

3. Richelieu Rock | The Best Diving Site in Thailand

Almost 200 km northwest of Phuket, Richelieu Rock is arguably one of the best dive sites in Thailand. Located on the Andaman Sea, this horseshoe-shaped reef is home to bright, vibrant purple corals and an abundance of marine creatures, making the Richelieu Rock in Surin Islands National Park a must-visit diving spot in Thailand.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 14,500
  • Best Diving Spot: Richelieu Rock.
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Tours St Symphorien (TUF) Airport | 20.1 km

Also Read - Most Famous Food Of Thailand

4. Koh Phi Phi | A Serene and Incredibly Beautiful Island

The water around the Phi Phi islands is so shallow at certain points that you can see the corals without getting in the sea! If you want a trip that never fades from your memory truly, Koh Phi Phi offers one of the best scuba diving in Thailand, along with other activities like night scuba diving and snorkelling. The area's topography is so varied that you will be left speechless.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 9,500 (starts)
  • Best Diving Spot: Garang Heng
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Krabi International Airport | 45.8 km

5. Koh Lanta | For the Perfect Island Feeling

While fun parties and hectic schedules are a must on vacation, sometimes you just want to sit back and relax. If you want to enjoy your trip to Thailand to the fullest, you cannot leave out a stay at Koh Lanta island in Krabi, which is one of the quietest islands in the country. Besides scuba diving, serene, lush greenery, pristine weather, and a calm, peaceful ambience are the biggest incentives for Koh Lanta.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 10,500 ( day dive, 2 dives a day)
  • Best Diving Spot: Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Krabi International Airport | 53.8 km

Also Read - Famous Beaches In Thailand

6. Koh Tao | Soak in the Beauty of Palm-fringed Beaches

Koh Tao is the ultimate diverse’s paradise that houses over 25 excellent diving sites spread all across the island. What makes Koh Tao such a popular scuba diving Thailand location is the variety of aquatic animals present in the water. From colourful reef fish and spotted eagle rays to dangerous whale sharks, you could witness the most beautiful sight you will ever see on a dive in Koh Tao.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 6,000
  • Best Diving Spot: Chumphon Pinnacle
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Koh Samui Airport | 65.5 km

7. Chumphon Pinnacle | The Best Dive Site Near Koh Tao

If you vacation in Thailand and do not spend at least a day at Chumphon Pinnacle, it's your loss. And scuba diving from Chumphon Pinnacle in Koh Tao will be etched in your memory forever. The best time to visit this tourist destination is either between March and May or between August And October, when you can see different shades of sea anemones and other species of aquatic animals. There is one large granite pinnacle surrounded by 12 other smaller pinnacles, which is why it is mostly seasoned divers diving here.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 4,900
  • Best Diving Spot: Chumphon Pinnacle.
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Chumphon Airport | 36.6 km

8. King Cruiser Wreck | An Advanced Certified Divers Site

Your trip to Thailand remains incomplete without visiting east Phuket. This area is particularly famous for its out-of-the-world parties and super exciting nightlife, apart from water sports alternatives and scuba diving. If you want to experience the best diving in Thailand, you need to check out King Cruiser Wreck to enhance the exhilaration of the dive. You can actually see the remains of the ships that were installed to make this a diving site.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 9,500 (3 dives)
  • Best Diving Spot: King Cruiser Wreck
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Phuket International Airport | 29 km

9. Ko Chang | Enjoy a Unique Diving Experience at HTMS Chang

HTMS Chang was a huge warship initially used by the US Navy way back during the second Worl War. Later it served its purpose in Thailand, and even after being wrecked, it still makes for one of the best dive sites in Thailand. Sunk in 2021, the HTMS Chang was later installed with an artificial coral reef to make the location even more interesting for scuba divers. HTMS Chang is used for both day and night dives.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 8,500
  • Best Diving Spot: HTMS Chang
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Trat Airport | 25.3 km

10. Sail Rock | Dive into the Epic Gulf of Thailand

As you can already guess, Koh Tao is to divers what El Dorado was to gold hunters. There are so many amazing scuba diving spots in Koh Tao that the list just does not end. Sail Rock is another supremely popular diving site famous for its distinct marine life. Almost 90 minutes of boat ride away from the main island, Sail Rock has managed to preserve its fascinating marine creatures and offers a majestic, appealing view to each of its visitors.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 6000 ( lunch and equipment included)
  • Best Diving Spot: Hin Bai
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Samui International Airport | 122.2 km

11. Koh Samui | A Divers’ Paradise on Earth

Koh Samui has always been at the top of the bucket list for most travel enthusiasts thanks to its dense green cover of rainforests and abundant flora and fauna. Many don’t know that Koh Samui is also a buzzing hub for scuba divers who come here from all over the globe to enjoy the dive of the century. Green Rock, one of Koh Samui’s many diving spots, is a major sight to behold, complete with underwater caves, taverns, and complicated and captivating rock features.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 7,300
  • Best Diving Spot: Green Rock, Hin Wong
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Samui International Airport | 2 km

12. Koh Ma Islands | Renowned for Whale Shark Sightings

If you are fresher to scuba diving and have just started your adventure, Koh Ma Islands is the ideal place for you to start. The diving sites in Koh Ma offer the best scuba diving in Thailand, particularly for beginners yet to acclimate themselves to the strong currents of other diving spots like Chumphon Pinnacles. The best bit about Koh Ma is that only a few tourists are aware of the infrastructure this tourist paradise has to offer, which is why the environment is peaceful without the hustle and bustle of the crowded urban areas.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 5,600
  • Best Diving Spot: Koh Ma, Koh Phangan
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Samui International Airport | 116.6 km

13. Shark Point | A Famous Marine Sanctuary

Shark Point derives its name from the exotic and charismatic leopard sharks found at this diving site in Phuket. Phuket is the heart of tourist activities in Thailand, and Shark Point is easily one of its most sought-after locations. Perfect for those addicted to adrenaline and who cannot do without a thrill and adventure, Shark Point in Phuket is home to a diverse variety of marine life, including Moray Eels, vibrant tropical fishes, and coral reefs besides leopard sharks. One dive into the sea and the terrestrial world would seem meaningless in front of the underwater view that waist divers and tourists at Shark Point in Phuket.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 9,700 (4-day dives, food, and beverage included)
  • Best Diving Spot: Shark Point
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Krabi International Airport | 73 km

14. Koh Tachai | Enjoy an Incredible Diving Experience

Koh Tachai’s most outstanding feature that sets it apart from the other diving sites in Thailand is its unique dome-like pinnacle, almost entirely made of granite. Even better, whatever direction you swim, something marvellous is waiting for you. In the north, you are soft corals and sea fans, while harder corals and sea whips dominate the eastern region around the island. The smaller pinnacles also house several different surprises of nature, making Koh Tachai worth it from all perspectives.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 14,600 ( speed boat ride to Tachai included)
  • Best Diving Spot: Tachai Reef, Tachai Pinnacle
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Phuket International Airport | 120 km

15. Koh Bon | Scuba Diving with Manta Ray

To ensure that your Thailand trip is forever etched in your memories, you must include Koh Bon on your list of places to visit. Scuba diving in Thailand costs are relatively more pocket friendly at Koh Bon, which is why many tourists prefer to have their first scuba dive here. Snappers, sweet lips, fire Gobis, Manta Rays— a plethora of bright, colourful fishes, aquatic plants, and marine creatures are waiting for you on this dive.

  • Approximate Cost Per Head: INR 14,200
  • Best Diving Spot: Koh Bon
  • Nearest Airport & Distance. Phuket International Airport | 42 km

Scuba diving in Thailand is truly an experience worth every penny. The tourists are under the care and supervision of experts who have been guiding and inspiring tourists to take go scuba diving for extensive years. With so many diving sites in Thailand, it would be a terrible loss if you do not grab the opportunity lying in front of you.

You could not only see what lies hidden under the ocean waters but also get a closer look at the fascinating mysteries of the sea. Add to that the natural charm, splendour, and charisma of the sandy beaches, rich flora, and remarkable weather. You get the gist of why Thailand is such a popular travel destination. And now, with your knowledge of the best places to dive in Thailand, you are all set for the trip of your lifetime. Adotrip, your travel partner, will assist you every step of the way and help you make perfect travel arrangements. So, get ready to take a deep dive into the sea and explore the beauty and magnificence of the marine world at some of the best diving places in Thailand. With us, nothing is far!

Frequently Asked Questions About Scuba Diving Places in Thailand

Ques 1. What are the best places to go scuba diving in Thailand?
Ans 1. Thailand is the ultimate destination for scuba divers, with more amazing scuba diving sites scattered across the different islands and archipelagos that comprise the country. Similan Islands and Koh Tao islands house some of Thailand's most popular diving sites. The Chumphon Pinnacle in Koh Tao and Shark Point in Phuket are two of Thailand's most famous scuba diving sites. Koh Lanta in Krabi is also a great location, especially for those who want to enjoy peace and quiet and take a break from the world.

Ques 2. Is Thailand good for scuba diving?
Ans 2. Thailand is not just good for scuba diving. It is one of the bests. The white sand and blue water offer ample natural beauty. At the same time, the sea is full of fascinating aquatic flora and fauna that ranges from coral reefs, leopard sharks, and manta rays to reef fishes, fire gobies, sea anemones, and more. Moreover, the diving sites like the HTMS Chang or the King Cruiser Wreck in East Phuket have distinct features like a seven-tiered sunk ship that can make your diving experience epic and memorable.

Ques 3. How much does scuba diving cost in Thailand?
Ans 3. Scuba diving in Thailand costs vary from one operator to the next and is heavily dependent on other factors like the location, the diving spot, the package, the number of dives, and even the dive time. Because night divers need more equipment, a night scuba dive could be more costly than the regular one. The prices typically range between INR 6000 to INR 14,000.

Ques 4. What is the best month to dive in Thailand?
Ans 4. The best time to dive in Thailand is during March, April, and May or before winter sets in, from August to October.

Ques 5. What is the minimum age requirement for scuba diving in Thailand?
Ans 5. Scuba diving in Thailand does come with age restrictions, and the minimum age of the individual must be ten years or above to participate in this fun activity. 

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--- Published By  Arpita Mathur

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