Thailand’s myriad of islands, coral reefs and warm tropical waters make it an ideal destination for snorkelling and diving.
Visitors can easily arrange trips once they are in Thailand and whatever your level of experience, there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether it’s a snorkelling trip in Krabi or a live-aboard dive trip to the Similan Islands, Thailand is home to some incredible underwater adventures. To help inspire you on your next trip, we’ve selected some of the best locations in Thailand for diving and snorkelling.
Andaman Coast
Ko Lanta
The serene island of Ko Lanta is an ideal destination for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts with several excellent sites nearby. This includes Ko Haa, a set of five small islands, which is perfect for novice divers. For experienced divers, there are amazing spots close to Ko Lanta to see manta rays, leopard sharks, and whale sharks.
A popular snorkelling excursion from Ko Lanta is a four-island tour that includes visits to Ko Chuek, Ko Kradan, Ko Mook, and Ko Ngai. You can also explore the famous Tham Marokot (Emerald Cave) on Ko Mook.
More details:
Blue Planet Divers
Lanta Diver
Ko Lipe
The crystal-clear waters around Ko Lipe are home to a variety of colourful marine life. By staying on Ko Lipe, you not only get to enjoy the island life but also have an ideal base to explore the Tarutao National Marine Park and go snorkelling at the various islands within the park’s boundaries.
More details:
Castaway Divers
Ko Lipe Diving
Krabi
Krabi’s proximity to the Phi Phi Islands and Ko Lanta make it a good choice for divers. With several dive schools in Ao Nang, trips are easy to arrange. If you’d prefer to just go snorkelling, the Krabi area boasts a variety of picturesque islands that are fabulous for snorkelling.
More details:
Sawasdee Divers
The Dive Ao Nang
Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands offer some of the most scenic locations in Thailand for snorkelling, with stunning beaches and excellent underwater visibility.
More details:
Princess Divers
Sea Frog Diving School
Phuket
As Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is an excellent base for snorkelling and diving excursions. On Phuket itself, Kata Beach is one of the best locations for snorkelling. The twin islands of Ko Racha Yai and Ko Racha Noi are a short boat ride away from Phuket and are another good option for snorkelling day trips.
More details:
Easy Day snorkelling tours
Super Divers
Similan Islands and Surin Islands
The Similan Islands and Surin Islands are two separate groups of islands in Thailand that are perfect for snorkelling and diving, with abundant marine life around the coral reefs. Both sets of islands can be accessed on day trips from Khao Lak or Phuket. For serious divers, companies such as Dive Worldwide can arrange extended trips and live-aboard excursions.
More details:
Sea Bees Diving
Surin Islands Liveaboard
Gulf Coast
Chumphon
Chumphon is a lesser-known destination that is often overlooked by tourists heading to Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Samui. However, the colourful coral reefs and diverse marine life around the coastline and islands of Mu Ko Chumphon National Park offer a rewarding experience for snorkellers and divers. Ko Langka Jiew, Ko Ngam Yai, Ko Ngam Noi, Ko Ran Ped and Ko Ran Kai are all good choices for underwater adventures in Chumphon.
More details:
PADI Chumphon
Ko Pha Ngan
Ko Pha Ngan is the ideal location for snorkelling newbies, with shallow waters and reefs. The island is also a solid choice for anyone seeking to learn how to scuba dive. Situated between the other Gulf Coast islands of Ko Samui and Ko Tao, staying here gives you handy access to numerous diving and snorkelling sites, including Sail Rock and Ang Thong Marine Park.
More details:
Chaloklum Diving
The Dive Inn
Ko Tao
Ko Tao is one of the premier locations in Thailand for both diving and snorkelling. For experienced divers, Chumphon Pinnacle is a fabulous spot with frequent whale shark sightings. Ko Tao is also one of the best places in Asia to learn how to dive or get PADI certified.
If you aren’t a diver but would still like to enjoy the underwater delights of Ko Tao, there are excellent snorkelling conditions with a variety of marine life at locations including Jansome Bay, Mango Bay and Tanote Bay. Don’t miss the chance to visit neighbouring Ko Nang Yuan, connected by a sandbar, where the shallow reef here offers some good snorkelling.
More details:
Big Blue Diving
Koh Tao Divers
East Coast
Ko Chang
The Ko Chang archipelago on the east coast of Thailand offers some good options for diving and snorkelling. The calm and relatively shallow waters around Ko Chang make it a good option for novice divers. The Royal Thai Navy ship HTMS Chang, one of Thailand’s biggest wrecks, was scuttled here in 2012 to make an artificial reef for divers of all levels.
More details:
Chang Divers
Koh Chang Divers
Pattaya
The area around Pattaya is home to some surprisingly good dive sites including Ko Man Wichai and Ko Rin. The HTMS wreck dive site is another location thriving with marine life with stingrays among the species commonly seen here while Samae San is another popular location with conditions that make it suitable for diving at any time of the year.
More details:
Dive Station Pattaya
Pattaya Dive Centre
Best weather for diving in Thailand
Different weather patterns affect the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, but it’s possible to find a location to dive or snorkel in any month of the year. In the Andaman Sea, the best conditions for snorkelling and diving are from November to April.
Please note that some locations on the Andaman Coast (e.g. the Similan Islands and Surin Islands) are closed to visitors from mid-May to mid-October. However, over on the Gulf Coast (Ko Samui, Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan), May to August is regarded as the best time to dive or snorkel with calm sea conditions and excellent visibility.
Respect marine life
Wherever you decide to go, please support responsible tourism, respect marine life and don’t step on or touch the coral. Even seemingly small things like choosing a reef-safe sunscreen can make a difference. In August 2021, stricter laws were introduced to help protect coral reefs in Thailand. Sunscreens that contain harmful chemicals which can damage coral reefs are no longer permitted at any of Thailand’s National Parks. Please do not use or bring sunscreen which contains any of these chemicals:
- Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3, BP-3)
- Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate)
- 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor (4MBC)
- Butylparaben
Instead, look for reef-safe sunscreen or one which uses mineral-based products such as zinc oxide.
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