Explore Pattaya

Pattaya, located on the east coast of Thailand, offers a vibrant diving experience that caters to both novice and seasoned divers. Known as the wreck diving capital of Thailand, the region is dotted with numerous shipwrecks, each telling its own story beneath the waves. The HTMS Khood and HTMS Khram are two notable shipwrecks, with the latter being Thailand's first artificial reef. These sites not only provide a glimpse into history but are also teeming with marine life, offering divers a unique and thrilling underwater exploration.

The dive sites around Pattaya are accessed primarily by boat, with the Near Islands, Far Islands, and Samae San Islands being the main locations. The Near Islands, including Koh Larn, Koh Sak, and Koh Krok, are particularly popular for beginners due to their proximity and vibrant reefs bustling with turtles and reef sharks. For those seeking less crowded spots, the Samae San Islands offer fantastic macro diving opportunities, where small critters and the famous Hardeep Wreck await to be discovered by keen underwater photographers.

Seasonal features add another layer of excitement to diving in Pattaya. From exploring the colorful reefs to venturing into the depths of wrecks, the diving environment is as diverse as it is exhilarating. Dive conditions can vary, with some sites experiencing currents, making them perfect for those seeking advanced diving courses. The presence of dive centers and burgeoning liveaboard options further enhance Pattaya's allure as a dynamic and compelling dive destination, making it a must-visit for any diving enthusiast.

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    Diving in Pattaya

    Pattaya, just a few hours from Bangkok, is a world-class diving destination featuring vibrant subtropical reefs and fascinating shipwrecks. Dive sites like Koh Krok, Koh Sak, and Koh Larn in the Near Islands are easily accessible and offer excellent reef diving experiences. These islands are renowned for their high hawksbill turtle populations, providing a unique underwater spectacle. Further exploration leads divers to Koh Rin, Koh Phai, and Koh Man Whichai, part of the Far Islands, where more stunning reef dives await.

    Wreck diving enthusiasts will find Pattaya enticing with five famous shipwrecks, including the HTMS Khood, HTMS Khram, and HTMS Mataphon, former US Navy ships turned artificial reefs. The iconic S.S. Suddhadib, or Hardeep Wreck, offers a historic dive site, while technical divers can explore the renowned vertical shipwreck. Pattaya balances shore and liveaboard diving options, ensuring all divers, from novices to experts, find thrilling underwater adventures. Additionally, drift diving is occasionally possible, offering dynamic experiences to seasoned divers.

    Pattaya isn’t home to just metal, it also offers a great variety of rich marine life, from hard and soft corals and macro critters like nudibranch, porcelain crabs, seahorses and shrimp, to larger favorites like turtles and sharks. Hawksbill and leatherback turtles are common sightings, and divers can even spot nurse, black tip, bamboo and tawny sharks. Schools of barracuda and trevally linger in the blue, and elegant reef fish are abundant, including batfish, lionfish, parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, grouper and wrasse. Camouflage experts like scorpionfish, octopus and cuttlefish aren’t uncommon, and a number of ray species can be spotted here too, like blue-spotted stingrays, and even eagle and mobula rays on rare occasions. In the past, lucky divers have even reported seeing whalesharks and dolphins around Pattaya, so make sure to be exceptionally observant, as you never know if you’ll be one of the divers graced by the presence of something rare and unique.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle
    697 Sightings
    J
    34
    F
    47
    M
    43
    A
    56
    M
    50
    J
    81
    J
    99
    A
    96
    S
    46
    O
    42
    N
    51
    D
    52
    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    395 Sightings
    J
    21
    F
    20
    M
    52
    A
    41
    M
    29
    J
    52
    J
    77
    A
    21
    S
    31
    O
    28
    N
    18
    D
    5

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

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Alamy-WaterFrame
    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel
    83 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    17
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    15
    J
    29
    A
    15
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    6
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    iStock/Extreme-Photographer
    Stingrays

    Stingrays
    830 Sightings
    J
    31
    F
    47
    M
    74
    A
    97
    M
    69
    J
    60
    J
    124
    A
    92
    S
    92
    O
    76
    N
    36
    D
    32

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

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish
    736 Sightings
    J
    43
    F
    29
    M
    53
    A
    95
    M
    25
    J
    108
    J
    98
    A
    126
    S
    39
    O
    52
    N
    37
    D
    31

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

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch
    661 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    61
    M
    64
    A
    105
    M
    69
    J
    72
    J
    66
    A
    71
    S
    51
    O
    35
    N
    23
    D
    39

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

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish
    496 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    20
    M
    26
    A
    72
    M
    52
    J
    76
    J
    61
    A
    53
    S
    39
    O
    20
    N
    56
    D
    14

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

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Rich Carey
    Angelfish

    Angelfish
    488 Sightings
    J
    14
    F
    26
    M
    29
    A
    44
    M
    74
    J
    94
    J
    78
    A
    38
    S
    35
    O
    26
    N
    28
    D
    2

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

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Udo Kefrig
    Clownfish

    Clownfish
    420 Sightings
    J
    18
    F
    22
    M
    42
    A
    77
    M
    39
    J
    60
    J
    28
    A
    44
    S
    21
    O
    21
    N
    38
    D
    10

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

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    iStock-Michael Zeigler
    Crab

    Crab
    258 Sightings
    J
    15
    F
    10
    M
    24
    A
    19
    M
    48
    J
    18
    J
    15
    A
    28
    S
    48
    O
    15
    N
    0
    D
    18
    Show More

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

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
    Boxfish

    Boxfish
    202 Sightings
    J
    13
    F
    24
    M
    25
    A
    25
    M
    20
    J
    2
    J
    29
    A
    0
    S
    18
    O
    0
    N
    29
    D
    17

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

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    162 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    1
    M
    4
    A
    7
    M
    29
    J
    33
    J
    44
    A
    7
    S
    17
    O
    0
    N
    9
    D
    8

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

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish
    145 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    2
    M
    0
    A
    28
    M
    0
    J
    61
    J
    33
    A
    2
    S
    15
    O
    0
    N
    2
    D
    1

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

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish
    135 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    11
    M
    17
    A
    18
    M
    26
    J
    32
    J
    14
    A
    5
    S
    4
    O
    0
    N
    1
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish
    130 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    12
    M
    16
    A
    24
    M
    30
    J
    13
    J
    1
    A
    2
    S
    2
    O
    12
    N
    7
    D
    5

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

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    130 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    38
    M
    21
    J
    12
    J
    16
    A
    7
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    15
    D
    16

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

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    iStock-burnsboxco
    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish
    117 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    15
    M
    17
    A
    26
    M
    23
    J
    5
    J
    10
    A
    5
    S
    2
    O
    3
    N
    7
    D
    2

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

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    83 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    2
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    8
    J
    11
    J
    21
    A
    6
    S
    13
    O
    3
    N
    12
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish
    70 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    15
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    2
    J
    17
    J
    16
    A
    3
    S
    2
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    12

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

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    iStock-stephankerkhofs
    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish
    42 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    14
    J
    10
    J
    0
    A
    1
    S
    10
    O
    0
    N
    6
    D
    0

    The best Months to dive in Pattaya

    Benefitting from a hot tropical climate, Pattaya’s diving scene is non-stop year round, even during the monsoon season, thanks to warm ocean temperatures that average around 28°C- 30°C (86°F-82°F). Visibility is normally good all year, ranging between 10-20 meters. 

    The dry season generally lasts from November to April and tends to involve the best visibility, clear blue skies and a calmer ocean. Locals recommend diving during this season for the best weather and ocean conditions, when the region experiences the least rain and has mostly calm seas. 

    The rainy, monsoon season runs from around May to around October, when storms can occur and the weather can stir up choppier waters. Humidity is at its highest in this season, which makes the intense but short downpours rather welcoming and refreshing. While the "rainy" season can sound off-putting, don't think that it equates to bad diving, as sunny days and flat seas do still occur during this time, and the ocean inhabitants aren't disturbed by the change in weather. 

    Dive Centers

    Dive Station Pattaya

    Dive Station Pattaya

    665Moo5 Pattaya- NaKlua road, 20150 Pattaya, Thailand
    Super Dive Thailand

    Super Dive Thailand

    33/11 Thepkrasatree Road, 83000 Phuket, Thailand
    INDY FREEDIVE, อินดี้ ฟรีไดฟ์ เรียนฟรีไดร์ฟแสมสาร ทริปดำน้ำแสมสาร

    INDY FREEDIVE, อินดี้ ฟรีไดฟ์ เรียนฟรีไดร์ฟแสมสาร ทริปดำน้ำแสมสาร

    9/65 Moo 4, Samaesarn, 20180 Sattahip, Chonburi, Thailand
    Happydive.net

    Happydive.net

    7/54 Moo 6 Soi Khao Tabaek 13, 20180 Chonburi, Thailand

    NODC Sattahip Dive

    140/207 Moo 8, 20180 Chonburi, Thailand

    BBK Dive Sattahip

    10/6 Moo 4 sattahip, 20180 Sattahip, Thailand

    Aquaholics Pattaya

    339/24 Moo 12, Nongprue, Banglamung, 20150 Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand

    Dive Sites

    watcharakron P. (#4035950)
    Koh San Chalarm เกาะสันฉลาม <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

    Koh San Chalarm เกาะสันฉลาม (★4.2)

    The most southern rocks in Samesarn area, extra 30 mins by dive boat from Chuang Island. It is also a practice target for the navy. You can find bullets, and missiles underwater. It is safe (sort of).
    Robert L. (#4244919)
    Boran Beach <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.8)</span>

    Boran Beach (★3.8)

    The dive site is not far from the Samaesarn pier. This place is suitable for any beginner levels - Freediver or Scuba . The site is sandy from shallow to deeper area.
    phimlaphat p. (#3022084)
    Koh Rong Nang เกาะโรงหนัง <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.9)</span>

    Koh Rong Nang เกาะโรงหนัง (★3.9)

    This site is a reef off a small island. Two sides can be dived. Flood current: dive west. Ebb current: dive east. There is a slope from the island to a flat seabed at 18 meters.
    Phanu C. (#1798938)
    Hin Ta หินตา <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

    Hin Ta หินตา (★4.5)

    Hin Ta or nickname Grandfather Rock locate at south of Khram Yai island. From the top view we will see rock formation look like horse shoe shape and also can see the small white sandy beach exposed during low tide period.
    What The Dive, 10210 Bangkok
    Koh Rin East <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

    Koh Rin East (★4.1)

    Koh Rin is one of the most interesting dive sites of Far islands Group including North Rock, South Rock, Manwichai island and also Klueng Badan island.
    What The Dive, 10210 Bangkok
    Koh Rin North <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

    Koh Rin North (★4.1)

    The northern side of Koh Rin, this is one of the more popular site for open water training. This site is recommended to dive during south west monsoon season.
    Scubapro
    Ao Wong Duen <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.9)</span>

    Ao Wong Duen (★3.9)

    This dive site is approx. 40 mins from Samaesan pier or only 9 kilometers distance away. An easily accessible site suitable for snorkeling and entry level divers, the reef starts at just 3m long way through 10m. Then you can also get the sand slope to the depth of 16m.
    Mares
    Ao Khai, Koh Chan อ่าวไข่, เกาะจาน <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.9)</span>

    Ao Khai, Koh Chan อ่าวไข่, เกาะจาน (★3.9)

    This dive site is approx. 40 mins from Samaesan fishing village away. An easily accessible site suitable for snorklers and entry level divers, the reef starts at just 3m and the maximum depth is around 15m.
    Mares
    Soldier’s Cabin Bay - South <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.7)</span>

    Soldier’s Cabin Bay - South (★3.7)

    The west side of Chuang Island in Samesarn area. You will find a soldier’s cabin on the island. This west side beach front itself is not permitted to shore, but below lies an easy dive for beginners and fun dives for Macro lovers. Shallower areas are reefs and rubble, deeper parts are silty bottom.
    Mares, Janez Kranjc
    Soldier’s Cabin Bay <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.9)</span>

    Soldier’s Cabin Bay (★3.9)

    This dive site is approx. 30 mins from Samaesan boat pier. An easily accessible site suitable for beginner or entry level divers. The reef is available in the shallow area and goes further with sandy bottom were you can explore aquatic life like Costasiella “Sheep“ nudibranch on the Avrainvillea leaf (Green Algea Fan).
    Scubapro, Stephen Frink
    Hardeep Wreck (SS Suddhadib) เรือจมสุทธาทิพย์ <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

    Hardeep Wreck (SS Suddhadib) เรือจมสุทธาทิพย์ (★4.1)

    The Wreck of the Steamship Suddhadib, or commonly known as Hardeep Wreck, is the most famous dive site in Samaesarn. This old steam cargo ship was bombed and sunk on 1 June 1945 during WWII. She lies on her starboard side at a depth of 27 meters.
    Mares
    Laem Farang แหลมฝรั่ง <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.8)</span>

    Laem Farang แหลมฝรั่ง (★3.8)

    Twenty minutes or 2.7 nautical miles from Samaesarn pier, This site is easy for Open Water Diver. It’s south of Koh Samae Sarn. Visibility is about 10-20 meters.
    Mares
    Ao Yui <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.9)</span>

    Ao Yui (★3.9)

    About 3 km from the pier. Hard coral to be found in the depth 5m - 12m (depends on the tide). Deeper is all sandy area where is the heaven of the macro world. As the location is Samaesarn island, when the water is rising or falling, you can have a drift dive. Then the advanced level is recommended.
    Mares
    Koh Kham <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.9)</span>

    Koh Kham (★3.9)

    The small island of Ko Kham offers a beautiful underwater park for divers of all abilities to enjoy. This small island sits just to the west of Koh Samaesarn. The warm, clear water and white beaches attract nature lovers year round.
    Mares
    Koh Nen : เกาะเณร : เกาะพระน้อย <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Koh Nen : เกาะเณร : เกาะพระน้อย (★4.4)

    Koh Nen, located 1.6 km from Laem Thian Pier and 500 meters from Ko Phra, is situated near a military operations unit. It serves as a site for military training and marine resource conservation.