Tap Lamu, Khao Lak and Bang Niang
Around Khao Lak there are some great local dive sites revealing fascinating wrecks that divers of every ability can enjoy.
Explore Khao Lak
Nestled in southern Thailand's Phang-nga province, Khao Lak offers an idyllic diving experience with its serene beaches and vibrant underwater landscapes. This tranquil coastal town, away from the bustling crowds of nearby Phuket, is a paradise for divers seeking a more relaxed atmosphere. With over 12 miles (20 km) of pristine white sandy beaches and lush tropical forests, Khao Lak presents a perfect blend of natural beauty and aquatic adventure.
One of the highlights of diving in Khao Lak is the access to the world-renowned Similan and Surin Islands. These islands, considered among the top diving destinations globally, boast stunning coral reefs, submerged rock formations, and intriguing wrecks. The Similan Islands, with visibility ranging from 20 to 30 meters (65–98 feet), are known for their dramatic underwater scenery and rich marine biodiversity, making them a must-visit for any diving enthusiast. Liveaboards offer the best way to explore these islands, providing an immersive experience where divers can encounter whale sharks at Richelieu Rock or marvel at the vibrant coral gardens of Koh Torinla.
Back in Khao Lak, divers can explore a variety of dive sites, including four fascinating wrecks and colorful coral reefs teeming with marine life. The waters are typically clear and warm, with mild currents that accommodate divers of all skill levels. Whether embarking on a day trip or a longer liveaboard safari, Khao Lak promises an unforgettable diving experience filled with enchanting marine encounters and breathtaking underwater vistas.
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Diving in Khao Lak
Reef diving is common practice in Khao Lak, due to its abundant, thriving reefs that host a ton of tropical marine species. The Similan Islands are the most visited in the area, and are protected marine reserves. As a result, the reef dive sites here are phenomenally healthy and appear to be thriving, so it’s really no surprise that divers flock from around the world to experience the underwater wonderlands that are submerged around these islands.
Wreck diving is also very popular in and around Khao Lak, where seasoned divers come to marvel at encrusted shipwrecks that serve as artificial reefs, hosting tons of life, from macro all the way up to larger creatures. Must-see wreck sites include the Bunsoong Wreck, which is the most famous. It’s an old tin ore processor that sank in 1984, and has since been completely taken over by mother nature. The Sea Chart I Wreck is an 84-meter long ship that’s only young, as it sank in 2009. There’s also the Premchai Wreck, which was a tin dredger that sank in 2001, and remains mostly intact. Finally, there’s the T13, which sank in 2014 outside Khao Lak Beach.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Khao Lak
As is typical in this tropical part of the world, the marine life in Khao Lak, the Similan Islands and the Mergui Archipelago absolutely stunning. Your mask will be fogged by vibrant coral reefs populated by colorful hard and soft corals, sea anemones and sea fans of varying species. A whole host of diverse marine life can be seen, including macro creatures like nudibranch, shrimp, seahorses and frogfish, and also an array of magnificent reef species, like angelfish, lionfish, wrasse, triggerfish, grouper, moray eels, batfish,
scorpionfish, pufferfish, octopus, cuttlefish, squid, pipefish, anemonefish, jellyfish, sea snakes, stingrays and countless more. Schooling fish like snapper and barracuda are seen in numbers, while turtles and sharks similarly thrive here, including black and white tip reef sharks. The much-loved manta ray and whaleshark also make appearances, although only to lucky divers.
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: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
6.2k Sightings
J
1k
F
813
M
1k
A
854
M
154
J
14
J
17
A
29
S
11
O
241
N
919
D
1.1k
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
2.1k Sightings
J
300
F
292
M
460
A
276
M
50
J
6
J
6
A
26
S
4
O
96
N
236
D
353
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
1.1k Sightings
J
194
F
144
M
183
A
136
M
31
J
8
J
8
A
21
S
10
O
35
N
130
D
242
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
829 Sightings
J
158
F
121
M
112
A
87
M
27
J
2
J
5
A
2
S
1
O
15
N
138
D
161
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
694 Sightings
J
99
F
131
M
224
A
65
M
12
J
5
J
0
A
4
S
0
O
9
N
80
D
65
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins
Hawksbill Turtle
346 Sightings
J
60
F
49
M
63
A
33
M
9
J
2
J
0
A
8
S
0
O
23
N
34
D
65
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
5.2k Sightings
J
757
F
723
M
1.2k
A
607
M
92
J
18
J
25
A
45
S
36
O
167
N
651
D
804
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
5k Sightings
J
808
F
713
M
1.1k
A
612
M
99
J
27
J
48
A
71
S
48
O
181
N
552
D
705
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
4.8k Sightings
J
708
F
657
M
1.1k
A
565
M
96
J
25
J
39
A
61
S
36
O
143
N
578
D
776
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
4.1k Sightings
J
588
F
543
M
983
A
473
M
83
J
28
J
39
A
63
S
48
O
120
N
481
D
630
The best Months to dive in Khao Lak
As Khao Lak enjoys a stunning tropical climate, the diving is great all year round. The three seasons include the slightly cooler season that runs from November to March, which is also the high tourist season; a very hot season that lasts from April to May; and finally the monsoon season that typically starts in June and ends in October, which is the lowest season in terms of tourism.
The best time to visit, particularly for divers, is often said to be the cooler peak season, between November and March, as the weather is usually warm and sunny, and much less humid. Ocean conditions are similarly welcoming during this time, with calmer waters and better visibility.
No matter the season, the Andaman sea normally fluctuates between 28°C-31°C (82°F-88°F), meaning diving is comfortable all year round. February and March can experience slightly cooler temperatures in some areas, due to nutrient-rich currents bringing in colder waters. But this isn’t a bad thing, as these waters attract large pelagics to the dive sites.
While diving is possible throughout the year, it’s important to be aware that the most popular attractions, the Similan and Surin Islands, are closed from May to October.
