Explore Ao Nang

Nestled on Thailand’s Andaman Coast, Ao Nang in the Krabi province offers a diving experience that is both enchanting and diverse. The region is famed for its picturesque landscapes, characterized by warm turquoise waters, lush mountainous greenery, and silky white sandy beaches. This scenic backdrop sets the stage for a diving adventure that appeals to both novices and seasoned divers alike. Ao Nang's dive sites are a tapestry of rocky pinnacles and boulders, forming intriguing caves and swim-throughs, in addition to vibrant coral reefs that teem with tropical marine life. With a keen eye, divers can spot elusive macro life forms, and occasionally, encounter majestic manta rays and whale sharks, adding to the thrill of the dive.

The diving in Ao Nang caters to all skill levels. Beginners find it an ideal spot to earn their open water certification, thanks to the shallow and gentle diving conditions. More experienced divers can challenge themselves with advanced courses, exploring caves and wrecks that the area generously offers. The local islands are a short boat ride away and provide unique diving experiences, where unpredictable conditions are offset by exceptional macro photography opportunities. Furthermore, the iconic Phi Phi Islands, known for their stunning beauty and diverse dive sites, are accessible for those willing to venture a bit further. Whether embarking on daily dive trips or indulging in a liveaboard safari, Ao Nang offers a comprehensive diving experience that is both memorable and enriching.

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    Diving in Ao Nang

    Boat diving is common practice in the region, though some shore diving is possible from a few beaches. Liveaboard boats and day-trips are the best options for diving in Ao Nang.

    Reef diving is very popular with beginners and advanced divers alike, as the reefs are teeming with vibrant life, and are home to an abundance of diverse species.

    Wreck diving is also a good choice, as the area is home to some phenomenal shipwrecks, including the world-famous King Cruiser and Kled Geaow wrecks.

    For qualified divers, cave diving is possible, as the rocky boulders and exciting underwater seascapes that dominate the dive sites provide interesting structures to enter and explore.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Ao Nang

    The usual Indo-Pacific suspects are hugely abundant in Ao Nang, from colorful hard and soft corals, tiny nudibranch, shrimp and porcelain crabs, to large pelagics like manta rays and whalesharks, the area truly has it all. Reef fish like anemonefish, angelfish, batfish, lionfish, and enormous schools of yellow snapper are everywhere, in addition to moray eels, sea snakes, and even hawksbill turtles. Black tip reef sharks are a popular sighting, and some divers might even spot a resting leopard or nurse shark, or a number of blue-spotted stingrays in the sand. Camouflage kings like cuttlefish, octopus and scorpionfish can be found by observant divers, while huge schools of barracuda and trevally form silver slow-moving walls.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    9.3k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    1.1k
    M
    1.1k
    A
    765
    M
    450
    J
    367
    J
    642
    A
    734
    S
    355
    O
    605
    N
    996
    D
    1.1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    Barracuda

    Barracuda

    5k Sightings
    J
    595
    F
    648
    M
    639
    A
    439
    M
    305
    J
    240
    J
    303
    A
    431
    S
    187
    O
    237
    N
    430
    D
    532
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    4.1k Sightings
    J
    527
    F
    505
    M
    459
    A
    390
    M
    209
    J
    147
    J
    248
    A
    311
    S
    122
    O
    198
    N
    435
    D
    561
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    2k Sightings
    J
    273
    F
    280
    M
    336
    A
    239
    M
    76
    J
    91
    J
    84
    A
    71
    S
    24
    O
    92
    N
    162
    D
    288

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    104
    F
    103
    M
    251
    A
    189
    M
    106
    J
    112
    J
    98
    A
    102
    S
    25
    O
    36
    N
    76
    D
    100

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Wrasse

    Wrasse

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    113
    F
    107
    M
    111
    A
    74
    M
    70
    J
    86
    J
    100
    A
    114
    S
    44
    O
    58
    N
    90
    D
    130

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Clownfish

    Clownfish

    9.3k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    1k
    M
    1.1k
    A
    786
    M
    478
    J
    419
    J
    614
    A
    721
    S
    369
    O
    596
    N
    962
    D
    1.1k
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark

    9.1k Sightings
    J
    1.2k
    F
    1.3k
    M
    1.3k
    A
    780
    M
    322
    J
    337
    J
    623
    A
    750
    S
    384
    O
    487
    N
    665
    D
    955

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    7.8k Sightings
    J
    988
    F
    923
    M
    947
    A
    617
    M
    372
    J
    307
    J
    443
    A
    593
    S
    290
    O
    519
    N
    810
    D
    1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    7.1k Sightings
    J
    814
    F
    807
    M
    855
    A
    616
    M
    366
    J
    269
    J
    405
    A
    529
    S
    293
    O
    464
    N
    813
    D
    874

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    6.3k Sightings
    J
    754
    F
    717
    M
    725
    A
    537
    M
    335
    J
    338
    J
    421
    A
    517
    S
    252
    O
    376
    N
    567
    D
    747

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    6k Sightings
    J
    649
    F
    679
    M
    737
    A
    517
    M
    299
    J
    244
    J
    396
    A
    442
    S
    236
    O
    410
    N
    671
    D
    717

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    5.8k Sightings
    J
    705
    F
    680
    M
    658
    A
    470
    M
    327
    J
    289
    J
    413
    A
    498
    S
    207
    O
    346
    N
    542
    D
    676

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish

    5.6k Sightings
    J
    612
    F
    646
    M
    684
    A
    514
    M
    332
    J
    280
    J
    356
    A
    480
    S
    221
    O
    358
    N
    527
    D
    561

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    4.9k Sightings
    J
    568
    F
    577
    M
    584
    A
    440
    M
    246
    J
    225
    J
    326
    A
    368
    S
    193
    O
    287
    N
    461
    D
    605

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Boxfish

    Boxfish

    3.8k Sightings
    J
    422
    F
    427
    M
    450
    A
    355
    M
    219
    J
    191
    J
    252
    A
    326
    S
    147
    O
    199
    N
    344
    D
    421

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish

    3.3k Sightings
    J
    324
    F
    311
    M
    372
    A
    240
    M
    190
    J
    146
    J
    245
    A
    329
    S
    166
    O
    236
    N
    370
    D
    356

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    3.1k Sightings
    J
    379
    F
    406
    M
    379
    A
    249
    M
    147
    J
    126
    J
    209
    A
    267
    S
    126
    O
    171
    N
    304
    D
    386

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    3.1k Sightings
    J
    351
    F
    364
    M
    362
    A
    265
    M
    180
    J
    162
    J
    241
    A
    286
    S
    137
    O
    166
    N
    251
    D
    376

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    2.9k Sightings
    J
    278
    F
    289
    M
    345
    A
    251
    M
    167
    J
    146
    J
    251
    A
    353
    S
    160
    O
    130
    N
    223
    D
    270

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    2.7k Sightings
    J
    308
    F
    288
    M
    326
    A
    232
    M
    146
    J
    128
    J
    194
    A
    195
    S
    85
    O
    244
    N
    309
    D
    291

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish

    2.7k Sightings
    J
    260
    F
    305
    M
    315
    A
    244
    M
    162
    J
    150
    J
    213
    A
    241
    S
    130
    O
    178
    N
    243
    D
    297

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish

    2.7k Sightings
    J
    275
    F
    325
    M
    292
    A
    220
    M
    154
    J
    111
    J
    136
    A
    256
    S
    126
    O
    185
    N
    281
    D
    289

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    2.6k Sightings
    J
    202
    F
    242
    M
    288
    A
    242
    M
    205
    J
    168
    J
    194
    A
    277
    S
    130
    O
    184
    N
    206
    D
    227

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    2.5k Sightings
    J
    252
    F
    280
    M
    235
    A
    196
    M
    146
    J
    123
    J
    205
    A
    261
    S
    130
    O
    151
    N
    229
    D
    258

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    2.3k Sightings
    J
    245
    F
    231
    M
    253
    A
    157
    M
    109
    J
    111
    J
    172
    A
    251
    S
    106
    O
    195
    N
    223
    D
    259

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Cuttlefish

    Cuttlefish

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    216
    F
    237
    M
    331
    A
    235
    M
    116
    J
    108
    J
    144
    A
    167
    S
    61
    O
    77
    N
    194
    D
    306

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    2.1k Sightings
    J
    167
    F
    212
    M
    267
    A
    193
    M
    115
    J
    119
    J
    186
    A
    240
    S
    84
    O
    178
    N
    146
    D
    190

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch

    1.8k Sightings
    J
    267
    F
    228
    M
    183
    A
    119
    M
    72
    J
    49
    J
    96
    A
    74
    S
    57
    O
    112
    N
    251
    D
    266
    Banded Sea Krait

    Banded Sea Krait

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    202
    F
    218
    M
    219
    A
    207
    M
    87
    J
    64
    J
    103
    A
    134
    S
    85
    O
    71
    N
    174
    D
    179

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Garfish

    Garfish

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    173
    F
    172
    M
    196
    A
    156
    M
    109
    J
    90
    J
    90
    A
    128
    S
    63
    O
    125
    N
    204
    D
    197

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Squid

    Squid

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    121
    F
    201
    M
    261
    A
    228
    M
    139
    J
    115
    J
    115
    A
    146
    S
    50
    O
    35
    N
    82
    D
    145

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    191
    F
    146
    M
    187
    A
    125
    M
    75
    J
    74
    J
    112
    A
    116
    S
    49
    O
    113
    N
    108
    D
    151

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    160
    F
    168
    M
    192
    A
    148
    M
    105
    J
    108
    J
    109
    A
    118
    S
    34
    O
    34
    N
    94
    D
    121

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Cornetfish

    Cornetfish

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    141
    F
    185
    M
    176
    A
    149
    M
    76
    J
    102
    J
    110
    A
    139
    S
    40
    O
    69
    N
    82
    D
    80

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    129
    F
    140
    M
    133
    A
    184
    M
    100
    J
    101
    J
    108
    A
    109
    S
    31
    O
    33
    N
    94
    D
    110

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Lobster

    Lobster

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    111
    F
    116
    M
    122
    A
    174
    M
    95
    J
    106
    J
    97
    A
    100
    S
    21
    O
    26
    N
    65
    D
    88

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    Crab

    Crab

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    78
    F
    102
    M
    115
    A
    147
    M
    107
    J
    100
    J
    100
    A
    120
    S
    21
    O
    25
    N
    71
    D
    80

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Jackfish

    Jackfish

    1k Sightings
    J
    149
    F
    126
    M
    107
    A
    72
    M
    31
    J
    17
    J
    46
    A
    86
    S
    42
    O
    91
    N
    127
    D
    147
    Spiny Seahorse

    Spiny Seahorse

    1k Sightings
    J
    144
    F
    165
    M
    183
    A
    103
    M
    40
    J
    21
    J
    45
    A
    39
    S
    16
    O
    28
    N
    116
    D
    119
    Common Seahorse

    Common Seahorse

    1k Sightings
    J
    155
    F
    114
    M
    163
    A
    118
    M
    61
    J
    42
    J
    55
    A
    60
    S
    26
    O
    29
    N
    72
    D
    123
    Zebra Shark

    Zebra Shark

    766 Sightings
    J
    87
    F
    46
    M
    129
    A
    81
    M
    63
    J
    45
    J
    55
    A
    71
    S
    36
    O
    37
    N
    67
    D
    49

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pipefish

    Pipefish

    684 Sightings
    J
    41
    F
    72
    M
    84
    A
    79
    M
    53
    J
    65
    J
    86
    A
    91
    S
    47
    O
    24
    N
    0
    D
    42

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    Stonefish

    Stonefish

    656 Sightings
    J
    89
    F
    92
    M
    85
    A
    53
    M
    29
    J
    1
    J
    13
    A
    52
    S
    0
    O
    70
    N
    83
    D
    89

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Snake Eel

    Snake Eel

    635 Sightings
    J
    71
    F
    66
    M
    67
    A
    24
    M
    47
    J
    48
    J
    65
    A
    143
    S
    38
    O
    13
    N
    21
    D
    32

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Emperor

    Emperor

    613 Sightings
    J
    35
    F
    24
    M
    50
    A
    45
    M
    47
    J
    77
    J
    88
    A
    90
    S
    24
    O
    31
    N
    56
    D
    46

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 50

    Frogfish

    Frogfish

    565 Sightings
    J
    92
    F
    66
    M
    85
    A
    43
    M
    38
    J
    51
    J
    58
    A
    60
    S
    17
    O
    0
    N
    10
    D
    45

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Flounder

    Flounder

    542 Sightings
    J
    43
    F
    41
    M
    62
    A
    46
    M
    44
    J
    69
    J
    68
    A
    96
    S
    30
    O
    13
    N
    11
    D
    19

    The best Months to dive in Ao Nang

    Ao Nang diving is great all year, with warm ocean temperatures lingering between 27°C-30°C (80°F-86°F) through all seasons. Visibility is also welcoming, averaging between 8-30 metres, though it can be quite unpredictable at times. The best visibility of up to 30 meters is seen during the half moon period during any given month, when tidal variation is minute.

    The high and dry season is from November to May, and diving conditions are most favorable. Seas are calmer and the best dive sites experience the least waves and winds, though do expect sites to be a little more crowded.

    The rainy season, from around May/June to October, still promises good diving, as critters aren’t affected by the livelier weather, and some clear, sunny days do occur. Plus, dive sites are much quieter, and there are good deals on diving and accommodation to be found during this time.

    Dive Centers

    Dive Sites