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Explore Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta offers a unique and enchanting diving experience, making it a standout destination in Thailand. The island is a gateway to some of the country's most stunning dive sites, including Koh Haa, where vibrant reefs and intriguing caves attract divers of all skill levels. The area's underwater landscapes are nothing short of spectacular, with dazzling coral gardens and a plethora of colorful reef fish. Dive environments range from calm, clear waters perfect for beginners to deeper, more challenging sites that appeal to advanced divers. The Cathedral's interconnected chambers and The Chimney's intricate tunnels provide thrilling underwater adventures. Diving in and around Koh Lanta is primarily conducted by boat, with options ranging from speedboats to larger, leisurely vessels. This allows easy access to nearby attractions like the Phi Phi Islands, Hin Daeng, and Hin Muang, known for their exceptional diving conditions. The King Cruiser Wreck and Anemone Reef add to the diversity of experiences, offering unique opportunities to explore artificial reefs teeming with marine life. Liveaboard trips further enhance the adventure, allowing divers to explore remote sites with ease. Whether you're taking a course or embarking on a liveaboard journey, Koh Lanta promises unforgettable diving in a serene and picturesque setting.

Upcoming Events

Coral Identification for Snorkeler

Coral Identification for Snorkeler

Take a fresh look at the living architects of the reef. Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, yet many people mistake corals for colorful underwater rocks or plants. The SSI Coral Identification specialty opens your eyes to the fascinating world of coral polyps and their complex colonies. By learning to distinguish hard corals from soft corals and recognizing different growth forms, you will gain a deep appreciation for reef health and see every underwater landscape in a whole new dimension.Hard vs. Soft Corals: Learn the key biological differences between reef-building stony corals (Scleractinia) and flexible soft corals (Octocorallia).Growth Form Classification: Master identification by observing structures like branching, boulder, plate, encrusting, and brain coral forms.Coral Health & Bleaching: Discover how corals feed, reproduce, and how to spot signs of stress, bleaching, or disease on tropical reefs.Open to Everyone: Academic course accessible to scuba divers, freedivers, and snorkelers.Course Curriculum (1 day in ocean)The course combines interactive online learning on the MySSI app and a topic presentation at the center with your instructor (with an optional practical application during your ocean dives).Key Topics Covered:Coral Biology & Anatomy: Polyp structure, zooxanthellae symbiosis, and how coral colonies construct massive reef formations.Key Families of the Andaman Sea: Focus on emblematic species around Koh Lanta, including Staghorn, Table, Brain, Mushroom, and Leather corals.Reef Ecology & Conservation: Threats facing coral reefs worldwide and practical actions eco-conscious divers and snorkelers can take to protect them.PrerequisitesNo diving prerequisites required (also accessible to non-divers, freedivers, and snorkelers).Minimum Age: 6 years old for non-divers.Your International CertificationAt the end of the course, you will earn your SSI Coral Identification Specialty Certification.Recognized worldwide.Counts toward your Master Scuba Diver rating and can count as one of the 5 adventure dives for your SSI Advanced Open Water Diver certification (when combined with ocean dives).Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Do I need to scuba dive or snorkel for this specialty?No, it is not mandatory! The Coral Identification specialty can be completed entirely as a 100% dry course.If you are a non-diver or prefer to stay out of the water, you can earn your certification by completing the interactive classroom or online sessions.However, if you are a diver or snorkeler, adding in-water sessions is highly recommended: it’s the perfect opportunity to apply your new knowledge on the coral reef and practice identifying them!Is it difficult to distinguish different coral types?Not at all! Rather than memorizing scientific names right away, the course teaches you to categorize corals by their growth shapes and polyp structures, making identification simple and fun.Why is coral identification important for divers and snorkelers?Understanding corals helps you recognize healthy reef habitats, avoid accidental contact with fragile or stinging species, and appreciate the foundation that supports all marine life.

Apo Dhatu Divers, 490 Moo 3, 81150, Saladan, Koh Lanta, Krabi, THA
October 1, 2026 +240 More
$137.53
THB 4,600.00
Fish Identification for Snorkelers

Fish Identification for Snorkelers

1. Why take the Fish Identification specialty course?Turn your dives into true scientific exploration— Have you ever come up from a dive wondering what that brightly colored fish was that you saw on the reef? The SSI Fish Identification specialty gives you all the tools you need to easily identify major families of fish and their unique characteristics.By learning to observe body shapes, patterns, fins, and behaviors, you’ll never look at a reef the same way again and will be able to name the marine life around you.Classification by Families: Quickly identify groupers, butterflyfish, angelfish, surgeonfish, triggerfish, and many others.Behaviors & Habitats: Understanding Interactions (cleaning stations, camouflage, territories, and symbiosis).Using Dive Tools: Learn how to use underwater identification tags and logbooks.Environmental Awareness: Raising awareness of marine biodiversity and the need to preserve reefs.2. The Program (1 day at sea)The training combines theoretical learning on the MySSI app with two guided observation dives at sea from our boat:Practical Workshops at Sea:Observation Techniques: A methodology for approaching fish gently without startling them in order to analyze their anatomical details.Underwater Wildlife Survey: Use a waterproof clipboard to list and categorize the species observed at the Koh Lanta dive sites.Habitat Analysis: Identification of specific areas (sand, coral, caves, cleaning stations) and the species that inhabit them.Post-Dive Debriefing: Using identification guides to verify your observations and fill out your logbook.3. PrerequisitesNo prior diving experience required (also accessible to non-divers, freedivers, and snorkelers).Minimum age: 6 years old for snorkeling or theory-only courses.4. Your International CertificationOnce you have completed the theory portion, you will receive your digital SSI Fish Identification certification.5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Is it necessary to dive or snorkel for this specialty?No, it’s not required! The Fish Identification specialty can be completed entirely through a 100% classroom-based (dry) format. If you don’t dive or prefer to stay on land, you can earn the certification by participating in interactive classroom or online sessions. However, if you’re a diver or snorkeler, combining this course with open-water outings is highly recommended: it’s the perfect opportunity to immediately apply your knowledge on the reef and learn how to identify fish!Do you have to memorize the scientific names of all the fish?Not at all! The goal is to learn to recognize the major families and key visual characteristics. Scientific names are included for informational purposes, but the emphasis is on practical recognition.

Apo Dhatu Divers, 490 Moo 3, 81150, Saladan, Koh Lanta, Krabi, THA
October 1, 2026 +241 More
$137.53
THB 4,600.00

Dive Activity

Diving in Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta offers all kinds of diving adventures for all skill levels. The beautiful, shallow reef and lagoon dives around Koh Lanta, Koh Haa and the Phi Phi Islands will mesmerize even seasoned divers.

Underwater pinnacles like Hin Daeng and Muang attract pelagics like manta rays and whale sharks, while sites around Lanta, Koh Haa, Koh Rok, and the Phi Phi Islands boast plunging walls and drop-offs covered in life.

There are also some exciting cave diving opportunities for experienced divers, such as those at Koh Haa, in particular, The Cathedral dive site, which is unmissable.

Many dive sites in this region are relatively shallow, though there are some deep diving possibilities, particularly at deeper open ocean sites.

Wreck diving is also possible at the Kled Gaeow shipwreck, which was a Royal Thai Navy vessel that was sunk purposely in 2014 to serve as a diving attraction. Plus, there’s the world-famous King Cruiser Wreck, which was a passenger ferry that sank in 1997 and is now home to a wealth of critters.

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

The best Months to dive in Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta boasts fantastic diving year-round, thanks to its welcoming tropical climate, with water temperatures averaging between 28-30C. November to April is the high season and the best time to dive, as the weather is usually dry and sunny, and sea conditions are the most favourable. In this season, the ocean is normally calm and visibility at its highest, although dive sites can be more crowded. Furthermore, this is the only time to dive at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, due to favourable surface conditions.

From around May to the end of September, it’s the rainy season, although downpours are typically short and refreshing. Clear days still occur, and diving is still possible at sites that aren’t exposed to wind. Dive sites are way less crowded, and you’ll likely find deals on accommodation and diving in the low season.

In any season, the best time to dive is always just after the half moon period, when minimal tidal variation results in better visibility and next to zero current.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Koh Lanta

“What can’t be seen here” is a more accurate question. An array of Indo-Pacific species thrive in and around Koh Lanta, and please everyone from macro-lovers, to fanatics of big fish. Macro critters to be seen include various nudibranchs, shrimp, crabs and juvenile fish.

Barracuda stalk the reefs, where tons of hard and soft corals, anemones and sea fans decorate dive sites. Schools of fish like trevally and great barracuda form silver walls that shimmer in the sunlight, and schools of snapper create huge clouds that block out the sun.

Seemingly endless reef fish thrive too, including colorful anemonefish, lionfish, batfish, damselfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, triggerfish and countless more. Camouflage experts like octopus, cuttlefish, scorpionfish and stonefish can be seen by observant eyes, and curious critters like eels and sea snakes can be found almost everywhere. Crustaceans of impressive sites, like lobster, shrimp and crabs like to hide in rocky cracks.

Green and hawksbill turtles can be spotted, while reef sharks like black tips pass by. Leopard sharks and stingrays can be found in sandy areas, and lucky divers might see a resting nurse shark. Eagle rays may be spotted passing by in the blue, and in certain places, like at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, mantas can be seen feeding and being cleaned of parasites. The star of the show is of course the whale shark, which again, can be encountered at Hin Daeng and Muang, though very lucky divers might see one pretty much anywhere in the region.

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

3 Sightings
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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 Sightings
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5
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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

6 Sightings
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4
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1

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

5 Sightings
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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

4 Sightings
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2
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2
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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

4 Sightings
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4
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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

4 Sightings
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1
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3
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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

3 Sightings
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3
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Curated by Interest

Events by Lifestyle Category

Underwater Beginner