Scuba Diving in Thailand: The Best Spots, Seasons, and Experiences

When it comes to diving in Thailand, there are a few important things to know. While you can dive in Thailand year-round, most destinations are seasonal. For example, diving in the Andaman Sea in western Thailand is best from November to April, while the peak diving season in the Gulf of Thailand in the east is from May to September.

Most destinations cater to beginners and experts. If you're just starting out, it's possible to book a one-day Try Dive experience that will give you the basics and allow you to do a 12-metre dive. Those who have a few days should take an Open Water Diver Course, which will allow you to dive up to 18 metres.

If you're experienced, stay for a while and up your game with Advanced Open Water Diver, Master Scuba Diver, and Dive Master courses. Diving hot spots like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Tao are all wonderful destinations for divers of all levels.

Planning to go diving in Thailand between November and April? Then you can't go wrong with a trip to the Similan and Surin islands in the Andaman Sea.

These remote islands are home to some of the very best dive sites in Thailand, famed for their abundance of sea life, vibrant coral, unique underwater landscapes, and calm and clear waters. Time your visit between February and April, and there's a good chance you'll spot manta rays and whale sharks, which come to the area to feed on plankton at this time of year. Even if you don't spot these gentle giants, you'll be spoilt with sightings of great barracudas, green sea turtles, cuttlefish, and so much more.

The most popular way to go diving in the Similan and Surin islands is to book one of the many affordable liveaboards with companies like Sea Dragon Dive Center. These trips last from three to seven days, allowing certified divers to reach far-flung dive sites and do multiple dives a day at iconic locations like Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, Christmas Point, and Koh Tachai Pinnacle.

If you're just starting out on your diving journey, Phuket is an ideal place to learn the basics and get PADI certified. That being said, you'll find world-class diving opportunities for advanced divers, too.

One major perk about diving in Phuket is that it's possible to do a wide range of day trips. Depending on your level of experience, you can dive with leopard sharks at Shark Point and Anemone Reef, see manta rays and barracudas at Racha Noi, do a wreck dive at King Cruiser Wreck, or snorkel and dive in the shallow, coral-filled waters of Koh Racha Yai, to name a few options.

Also located in the Andaman Sea, the best months to go diving and snorkelling in Phuket are between November and April. If you're looking for diving companies in Phuket, Aussie Divers Phuket is a solid option.

Koh Phi Phi is another great spot for beginners. One thing that makes this place stand out from other destinations in the Andaman Sea is that you can dive here all year long. That being said, you'll find the best conditions during the dry season, which lasts from February to May.

From wall dives to reef dives, there are over 20 dive sites around Koh Phi Phi. For some of the best diving, be sure to check out Bida Nok and Bida Nai, where you'll have the chance to see leopard sharks, moray eels, turtles, schools of barracuda, and even blacktip reef sharks.

The shallow waters of Loh Samah Bay make this a popular spot for night dives, while Kled Gaeow Wreck is the perfect pick for an advanced wreck dive. Of course, Phuket is not far away, so you can access many of the island's best dive sites via a day trip from Koh Phi Phi, including Shark Point and King Cruiser Wreck.

While there are loads of dive shops scattered around Koh Phi Phi, Blue View Divers is a reputable company.

You'll find some of the best diving in Thailand in the waters surrounding lovely Koh Lanta. As with most diving destinations in the Andaman Sea, the best time to visit is between November and April.

For the most spectacular advanced diving in Koh Lanta, you'll want to pay a visit to Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. These remote coral-covered pinnacles are famous for attracting manta rays and whale sharks, especially in February and March.

Beginners will prefer diving in the sheltered waters of Koh Haa, a cluster of small islands off the coast of Koh Lanta. Some of the coolest dives here are the Cathedral, a large underwater cavern, and the Chimney, which features narrow swim-throughs. It's also common to spot whale sharks in Koh Haa, as well as schools of yellow snapper and barracuda, ornate ghost pipefish, and harlequin shrimp, to name a few cool sea creatures.

Not interested in diving? Koh Haa is one of the best places for snorkelling in Thailand, too. For snorkelling trips, diving excursions, and PADI courses, Phoenix Divers is a local favourite.

If you're looking for a mix of nightlife and diving, Koh Tao is the perfect destination for you. Even if you're not looking to party the nights away, the island's impressive number of dive companies make this a popular place to take diving courses, including Open Water Diver certification and Dive Master training.

You'll find some of the very best diving and snorkelling in Thailand in the waters surrounding the tiny island of Koh Tao. However, for the most pleasant experience, you'll want to visit between May and September, when conditions are at their best.

There are roughly 25 dive sites in Koh Tao, including reef dives, ocean dives, and pinnacle dives. Sail Rock is one of Koh Tao's most famous dive spots, well-known for its unique rock formations and whale sharks. And then there's Chumpon Pinnacle for its schools of fusiliers and barracuda, Southwest Pinnacle for countless fish and granite pinnacles, Shark Island for soft corals and reef fish galore, and White Rock for amazing night diving.

You'll want to research dive companies ahead of your trip, but Roctopus Dive is a longtime local favourite.

You might be surprised to learn that Koh Samui isn't known for its diving. In fact, there are no dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand's largest island. That's why it's best to stay in Koh Tao if you're focused on diving in this part of Thailand.

However, if you prefer to stay in a luxury resort and enjoy all of the amenities of Koh Samui, you can easily access many of the top Koh Tao dive spots on a day trip. This includes Sail Rock, Chumphon Pinnacle, and White Rock, to name a few possibilities.

The best locations for diving in Thailand are the Similan and Surin islands in the Andaman Sea in western Thailand and Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand in eastern Thailand. However, you'll find excellent diving spots dotting the waters in the Andaman Sea, especially around Phuket and Koh Lanta.

The best time of year to go scuba diving in Thailand depends on when and where you plan to visit. If you're visiting Thailand between November and April, you'll want to choose a diving destination in the Andaman Sea. However, if you're planning a trip between May and September, Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand is your best bet.

You can get started scuba diving in Thailand by getting certified at popular diving destinations like Koh Tao, Phuket, and Koh Phi Phi. All of these destinations are home to an abundance of reputable dive companies that cater to beginners.

You'll find good snorkelling in Thailand in Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand and the Surin and Similan islands, Koh Lanta, and Koh Lipe in the Andaman Sea.

You'll see an incredible variety of marine life while scuba diving and snorkelling in Thailand. The Similan and Surin islands are home to large pelagic species like manta rays and whale sharks, while Shark Point in Phuket and is a popular spot for leopard sharks. From schools of barracudas and trevally to turtles, octopuses, and all manner of rays, the waters of Thailand are teeming with incredible marine life.