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.

Upcoming Events

Professional Level Programs / Courses

Happydive.net

Divemaster

14 Nov 2025

The Divemaster program is the first step on an exciting journey. Earn the respect of your dive buddies and become an ambassador for diving by taking the Divemaster program. All you need to get started are 40 verified/logged dives and certifications in Deep Diving, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility or at least 5 logged/verified dives experience in each area plus Diver Stress & Rescue. You will be certified as a Dive Guide after successfully completing the Divemaster program. When your interest is to turn your passion into a profession by guiding certified divers, teaching Ecology programs, assisting instructors or even becoming an instructor yourself, your next step is the Divemaster Upgrade with a minimum of 60 logged/verified. Upgrade to Divemaster right away or any time after by self-studying the Science of Diving materials, passing the Digital Final Exam which makes you an SSI Professional.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Dive Station Pattaya

Advanced Open Water Diver

22 Nov 2025

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! You will try Deep Diving and Navigation plus a variety of 3 more specialty areas of choice before committing to full specialty training. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver Program, you will experience 5 different specialties by completing one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. By taking this program you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full Specialty trainings any time in the future and credit your Advanced Open Water Diver training towards them.

Professional Level Programs / Courses

Dive Station Pattaya

Assistant Instructor

26 Jan 2026

The Assistant Instructor rating is the next step after becoming a Divemaster along the scuba instructor pathway. It allows you to collect valuable teaching experience, practice briefings, teach academics, and conduct in-water training. If you want to further your career as a dive professional, you can finish the Instructor Training Course, pass the Instructor Evaluation, and become an Open Water Diving Instructor.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Koh San Chalarm เกาะสันฉลาม

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).

2,105
Logs
1,164
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Boran Beach

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.

909
Logs
565
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Koh Rong Nang เกาะโรงหนัง

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.

5,246
Logs
2,489
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Hin Ta หินตา

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.

216
Logs
147
Divers
11.0 m
⌀ Depth
5.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Koh Rin East

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.

2,420
Logs
883
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Koh Rin North

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.

684
Logs
388
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Ao Wong Duen

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.

1,083
Logs
739
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Ao Khai, Koh Chan อ่าวไข่, เกาะจาน

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.

2,802
Logs
1,508
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Soldier’s Cabin Bay - South

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.

381
Logs
275
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Soldier’s Cabin Bay

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).

1,434
Logs
856
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Hardeep Wreck (SS Suddhadib) เรือจมสุทธาทิพย์

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.

4,678
Logs
1,906
Divers
26.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Laem Farang แหลมฝรั่ง

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.

258
Logs
200
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Ao Yui

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.

351
Logs
200
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Koh Kham

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.

916
Logs
403
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Koh Nen : เกาะเณร : เกาะพระน้อย

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.

65
Logs
22
Divers
8.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility

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.

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. 

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

NODC Sattahip Dive

140/207 Moo 8, 20180 Chonburi, THA

Super Dive Thailand

33/11 Thepkrasatree Road, 83000 Phuket, THA

Happydive.net

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

Dive Station Pattaya

665Moo5 Pattaya- NaKlua road, 20150 Pattaya, THA

INDY FREEDIVE

9/65 Moo 4, Samaesarn, 20180 Sattahip, Chonburi, THA

Aquaholics Pattaya

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