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.

Top Regions to Explore

Upcoming Events

Dive Activity

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.

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

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.

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

9.7k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.1k
M
1.1k
A
786
M
492
J
419
J
725
A
776
S
365
O
622
N
1k
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

5.1k Sightings
J
606
F
647
M
644
A
441
M
328
J
260
J
349
A
455
S
191
O
246
N
442
D
536
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

4.2k Sightings
J
526
F
506
M
460
A
391
M
227
J
152
J
259
A
315
S
122
O
198
N
437
D
562
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

2.1k Sightings
J
275
F
286
M
336
A
240
M
82
J
95
J
91
A
81
S
26
O
93
N
165
D
292

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
113
M
252
A
189
M
105
J
112
J
98
A
103
S
24
O
35
N
78
D
101

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
112
F
107
M
109
A
74
M
72
J
86
J
100
A
117
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

9.6k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.1k
M
1.2k
A
801
M
512
J
462
J
714
A
770
S
380
O
620
N
991
D
1.1k
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

9.3k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.3k
M
1.3k
A
794
M
354
J
399
J
695
A
775
S
390
O
488
N
671
D
960

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

8.2k Sightings
J
1k
F
940
M
956
A
628
M
422
J
340
J
515
A
625
S
300
O
538
N
831
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.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

7.4k Sightings
J
817
F
817
M
869
A
622
M
397
J
305
J
473
A
560
S
302
O
475
N
832
D
889

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

6.5k Sightings
J
764
F
719
M
730
A
544
M
352
J
364
J
473
A
538
S
262
O
379
N
591
D
762

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

6.2k Sightings
J
655
F
686
M
739
A
528
M
317
J
261
J
459
A
472
S
246
O
421
N
688
D
729

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

6k Sightings
J
710
F
683
M
666
A
478
M
341
J
312
J
474
A
526
S
213
O
352
N
558
D
682

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

5.8k Sightings
J
612
F
653
M
696
A
520
M
354
J
297
J
421
A
512
S
227
O
370
N
543
D
576

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

5k Sightings
J
573
F
581
M
583
A
444
M
270
J
234
J
365
A
379
S
196
O
292
N
471
D
610

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
427
F
425
M
446
A
360
M
233
J
203
J
289
A
339
S
149
O
203
N
346
D
424

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
322
F
310
M
374
A
247
M
201
J
159
J
255
A
334
S
167
O
242
N
362
D
357

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

3.2k Sightings
J
380
F
406
M
376
A
253
M
155
J
132
J
223
A
277
S
131
O
173
N
317
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

3.2k Sightings
J
352
F
364
M
363
A
270
M
198
J
166
J
259
A
294
S
135
O
169
N
251
D
374

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
279
F
290
M
343
A
251
M
172
J
156
J
277
A
357
S
161
O
132
N
235
D
272

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

2.8k Sightings
J
308
F
293
M
331
A
236
M
166
J
141
J
220
A
205
S
89
O
245
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

2.8k Sightings
J
261
F
302
M
318
A
245
M
168
J
158
J
232
A
248
S
128
O
179
N
243
D
299

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
166
J
110
J
153
A
258
S
125
O
186
N
281
D
287

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
244
M
288
A
245
M
210
J
172
J
215
A
279
S
135
O
185
N
206
D
225

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
253
F
283
M
235
A
199
M
148
J
129
J
234
A
274
S
131
O
155
N
230
D
260

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

2.4k Sightings
J
248
F
235
M
258
A
159
M
113
J
117
J
188
A
264
S
105
O
201
N
230
D
257

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
219
F
237
M
332
A
235
M
114
J
120
J
150
A
172
S
59
O
76
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
215
M
261
A
196
M
117
J
124
J
197
A
245
S
84
O
184
N
150
D
194

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

1.9k Sightings
J
273
F
229
M
191
A
121
M
86
J
62
J
142
A
78
S
63
O
111
N
261
D
268
Banded Sea Krait

Banded Sea Krait

1.8k Sightings
J
201
F
216
M
226
A
207
M
86
J
68
J
130
A
140
S
84
O
72
N
178
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
172
F
170
M
196
A
159
M
120
J
97
J
101
A
131
S
62
O
127
N
194
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
199
M
263
A
228
M
138
J
116
J
121
A
152
S
47
O
33
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

1.5k Sightings
J
191
F
146
M
186
A
125
M
78
J
77
J
119
A
117
S
46
O
114
N
110
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
164
F
166
M
198
A
151
M
106
J
113
J
109
A
127
S
36
O
35
N
95
D
124

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

1.4k Sightings
J
141
F
185
M
175
A
147
M
81
J
107
J
116
A
140
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
130
F
139
M
132
A
185
M
100
J
103
J
107
A
110
S
32
O
32
N
95
D
107

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
114
M
122
A
175
M
93
J
106
J
98
A
100
S
21
O
25
N
66
D
87

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
82
F
103
M
113
A
152
M
110
J
103
J
102
A
120
S
21
O
26
N
71
D
82

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

1.1k Sightings
J
148
F
125
M
106
A
71
M
32
J
30
J
58
A
91
S
42
O
90
N
126
D
146
Spiny Seahorse

Spiny Seahorse

1.1k Sightings
J
147
F
165
M
184
A
103
M
38
J
28
J
65
A
42
S
15
O
29
N
118
D
119
Common Seahorse

Common Seahorse

1k Sightings
J
157
F
110
M
165
A
117
M
63
J
51
J
64
A
65
S
26
O
29
N
74
D
125
Zebra Shark

Zebra Shark

773 Sightings
J
87
F
46
M
130
A
84
M
63
J
50
J
56
A
71
S
36
O
35
N
66
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

688 Sightings
J
41
F
72
M
89
A
79
M
57
J
66
J
83
A
90
S
45
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

658 Sightings
J
87
F
92
M
83
A
56
M
32
J
1
J
15
A
53
S
0
O
69
N
81
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

640 Sightings
J
71
F
66
M
67
A
24
M
49
J
48
J
66
A
147
S
38
O
13
N
21
D
30

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

616 Sightings
J
35
F
24
M
51
A
46
M
47
J
75
J
90
A
91
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

560 Sightings
J
92
F
66
M
78
A
43
M
37
J
51
J
58
A
61
S
18
O
0
N
10
D
46

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

540 Sightings
J
43
F
39
M
62
A
46
M
43
J
70
J
68
A
96
S
30
O
13
N
11
D
19

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

Total number of species approx.: 190

Conger Eel

Conger Eel

326 Sightings
J
27
F
42
M
27
A
16
M
35
J
47
J
46
A
81
S
5
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 30

Sand Eel

Sand Eel

303 Sightings
J
65
F
67
M
39
A
21
M
11
J
0
J
21
A
50
S
0
O
1
N
10
D
18

Curated by Interest

Events by Lifestyle Category

Underwater Beginner