Explore Phang-nga

Phang-nga, nestled along the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand, is a diver's paradise renowned for its spectacular underwater landscapes and vibrant marine ecosystems. Its prime location offers easy access to the famed Similan and Surin Islands, which are celebrated for their diverse corals, thriving marine life, and exquisite reefs. These islands form part of protected national marine parks, ensuring that the underwater environment remains pristine and inviting for divers from around the globe. Here, one can explore an array of dive sites ranging from tranquil shallow waters to deeper sites with currents, making it suitable for novice and advanced divers alike.

Beyond the colorful reefs, Phang-nga's waters are teeming with a delightful mix of marine species. Divers can marvel at macro critters like nudibranchs and shrimp or swim alongside larger inhabitants such as leopard sharks, manta rays, and even the occasional majestic whale shark. Notable dive spots like Richelieu Rock and Koh Bon Pinnacle are famed for these encounters, adding an element of thrill to each dive. The region also boasts captivating wrecks and intriguing underwater caves, perfect for those looking to add variety to their diving adventures.

The tropical climate of Phang-nga ensures excellent diving conditions year-round, with the peak season from November to April offering the best visibility and calm seas. This region's welcoming dive centers cater to all preferences, from laid-back shore dives to exhilarating liveaboard excursions that explore the deeper mysteries of the Andaman Sea. With its stunning natural beauty and rich underwater life, Phang-nga remains an essential destination for any diving enthusiast seeking a memorable and diverse experience.

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    Diving in Phang-nga

    Phang-nga, nestled in southern Thailand, offers an array of exceptional dive sites that attract enthusiasts from around the globe. Among the top spots, the Boonsung Wreck stands out as a notable wreck dive, teeming with marine life such as barracuda and lionfish. This artificial reef is a haven for macro photography, making it a must-visit for underwater photographers. For those seeking the thrill of shore dives, Ao Sane Beach offers easy access to vibrant coral gardens and diverse marine species. The region also provides unique opportunities for night dives, where divers can witness bioluminescent plankton and the nocturnal behaviors of marine creatures. Whether opting for shore or liveaboard diving, Phang-nga ensures a balanced experience, catering to both convenience and adventure.

    Dive Centers

    Dive Sites

    The best Months to dive in Phang-nga

    Phang-nga offers exceptional diving conditions throughout the year, making it a popular destination for divers. The water temperatures are warm, ranging from 27°C to 30°C, providing a comfortable experience for divers in all seasons. Typical visibility ranges from 10 to 30 meters, though it can vary depending on the time of year and specific dive sites.

    Diving is possible all year in Phang-nga, although the best conditions are generally from November to April when the seas are calmer, and the weather is more predictable. During the monsoon season, from May to October, divers may encounter less favorable conditions with stronger winds and currents, which can affect visibility and accessibility to certain dive sites. However, many experienced divers find opportunities even in the off-season by selecting more sheltered locations.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Phang-nga

    Phang-nga, located in southern Thailand, is renowned for its vibrant marine life, particularly around the Similan and Surin Islands. Typical reef inhabitants include an array of colorful fish such as parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish. These species are commonly spotted throughout the year, providing a lively underwater spectacle for divers. Seasonal highlights include sightings of majestic manta rays, which are more frequent from February to May, and whale sharks, often seen between February and April. Green and hawksbill turtles also frequent the reefs, with a higher likelihood of encounters from November to April. These seasonal visitors make Phang-nga a sought-after destination for divers eager to experience diverse marine wildlife.

    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

    11k Sightings
    J
    1.5k
    F
    1.8k
    M
    2k
    A
    1.5k
    M
    327
    J
    48
    J
    81
    A
    104
    S
    62
    O
    405
    N
    1.3k
    D
    1.6k

    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

    6.6k Sightings
    J
    803
    F
    1.3k
    M
    1.4k
    A
    924
    M
    178
    J
    38
    J
    37
    A
    77
    S
    42
    O
    261
    N
    663
    D
    870

    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

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    174
    F
    377
    M
    492
    A
    208
    M
    20
    J
    5
    J
    0
    A
    4
    S
    1
    O
    58
    N
    147
    D
    155
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    219
    F
    223
    M
    329
    A
    215
    M
    62
    J
    28
    J
    32
    A
    42
    S
    11
    O
    45
    N
    136
    D
    276

    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
    202
    F
    264
    M
    261
    A
    139
    M
    30
    J
    2
    J
    5
    A
    2
    S
    1
    O
    15
    N
    172
    D
    214
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    533 Sightings
    J
    60
    F
    79
    M
    130
    A
    84
    M
    21
    J
    12
    J
    13
    A
    8
    S
    2
    O
    24
    N
    35
    D
    65

    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

    9.3k Sightings
    J
    1.2k
    F
    1.7k
    M
    2.2k
    A
    1.3k
    M
    256
    J
    54
    J
    100
    A
    136
    S
    85
    O
    333
    N
    920
    D
    1.2k

    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

    8.3k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    1.4k
    M
    2k
    A
    1.1k
    M
    187
    J
    36
    J
    56
    A
    81
    S
    57
    O
    295
    N
    873
    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.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    8.2k Sightings
    J
    1.2k
    F
    1.4k
    M
    1.4k
    A
    1.1k
    M
    280
    J
    60
    J
    62
    A
    113
    S
    51
    O
    341
    N
    861
    D
    1.3k

    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

    8k Sightings
    J
    1k
    F
    1.5k
    M
    1.8k
    A
    1.1k
    M
    215
    J
    42
    J
    73
    A
    103
    S
    63
    O
    268
    N
    802
    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

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    7.1k Sightings
    J
    865
    F
    1.3k
    M
    1.7k
    A
    928
    M
    173
    J
    47
    J
    71
    A
    99
    S
    74
    O
    223
    N
    662
    D
    971

    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

    6.2k Sightings
    J
    836
    F
    1.1k
    M
    1.3k
    A
    806
    M
    166
    J
    33
    J
    47
    A
    53
    S
    41
    O
    215
    N
    779
    D
    875

    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

    6.1k Sightings
    J
    701
    F
    1.1k
    M
    1.4k
    A
    787
    M
    158
    J
    34
    J
    38
    A
    69
    S
    56
    O
    206
    N
    723
    D
    770

    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

    6k Sightings
    J
    823
    F
    1.1k
    M
    1.1k
    A
    798
    M
    190
    J
    32
    J
    49
    A
    74
    S
    41
    O
    246
    N
    682
    D
    886

    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

    4.5k Sightings
    J
    629
    F
    830
    M
    1.2k
    A
    607
    M
    84
    J
    17
    J
    18
    A
    30
    S
    35
    O
    118
    N
    384
    D
    554

    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

    4.2k Sightings
    J
    500
    F
    866
    M
    1.1k
    A
    540
    M
    59
    J
    3
    J
    21
    A
    24
    S
    13
    O
    116
    N
    438
    D
    512

    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

    3.7k Sightings
    J
    427
    F
    674
    M
    912
    A
    580
    M
    78
    J
    13
    J
    3
    A
    1
    S
    15
    O
    110
    N
    410
    D
    466

    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

    3.7k Sightings
    J
    414
    F
    649
    M
    724
    A
    536
    M
    128
    J
    11
    J
    15
    A
    27
    S
    41
    O
    135
    N
    441
    D
    563

    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

    3k Sightings
    J
    362
    F
    636
    M
    705
    A
    343
    M
    49
    J
    14
    J
    13
    A
    18
    S
    19
    O
    89
    N
    320
    D
    453

    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
    295
    F
    574
    M
    783
    A
    310
    M
    78
    J
    13
    J
    17
    A
    41
    S
    31
    O
    86
    N
    299
    D
    298

    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

    2.8k Sightings
    J
    332
    F
    564
    M
    571
    A
    435
    M
    106
    J
    18
    J
    24
    A
    29
    S
    13
    O
    94
    N
    243
    D
    343

    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

    2.5k Sightings
    J
    234
    F
    592
    M
    783
    A
    228
    M
    55
    J
    12
    J
    11
    A
    25
    S
    26
    O
    76
    N
    219
    D
    277

    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

    2.5k Sightings
    J
    306
    F
    445
    M
    542
    A
    323
    M
    88
    J
    14
    J
    4
    A
    40
    S
    15
    O
    107
    N
    270
    D
    349

    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

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    288
    F
    401
    M
    482
    A
    345
    M
    66
    J
    7
    J
    4
    A
    15
    S
    4
    O
    87
    N
    186
    D
    321

    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

    1.9k Sightings
    J
    293
    F
    318
    M
    315
    A
    274
    M
    77
    J
    21
    J
    27
    A
    33
    S
    26
    O
    63
    N
    192
    D
    294

    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

    1.8k Sightings
    J
    178
    F
    352
    M
    542
    A
    169
    M
    42
    J
    9
    J
    4
    A
    18
    S
    18
    O
    100
    N
    128
    D
    204

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

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Tuna

    Tuna

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    225
    F
    357
    M
    422
    A
    229
    M
    21
    J
    2
    J
    1
    A
    3
    S
    1
    O
    59
    N
    182
    D
    228

    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

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    213
    F
    323
    M
    324
    A
    198
    M
    47
    J
    1
    J
    27
    A
    19
    S
    11
    O
    68
    N
    184
    D
    260

    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

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    185
    F
    342
    M
    395
    A
    288
    M
    77
    J
    4
    J
    1
    A
    1
    S
    4
    O
    20
    N
    104
    D
    208

    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

    1.2k Sightings
    J
    105
    F
    290
    M
    363
    A
    151
    M
    41
    J
    1
    J
    1
    A
    16
    S
    0
    O
    48
    N
    69
    D
    122

    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

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    107
    F
    222
    M
    277
    A
    85
    M
    36
    J
    15
    J
    2
    A
    23
    S
    15
    O
    60
    N
    114
    D
    175
    Common Seahorse

    Common Seahorse

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    123
    F
    219
    M
    222
    A
    189
    M
    58
    J
    1
    J
    1
    A
    20
    S
    14
    O
    29
    N
    84
    D
    111

    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

    925 Sightings
    J
    110
    F
    224
    M
    186
    A
    150
    M
    26
    J
    1
    J
    2
    A
    3
    S
    2
    O
    12
    N
    71
    D
    138

    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

    920 Sightings
    J
    135
    F
    171
    M
    192
    A
    129
    M
    57
    J
    3
    J
    0
    A
    2
    S
    1
    O
    31
    N
    96
    D
    103

    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

    902 Sightings
    J
    132
    F
    114
    M
    146
    A
    49
    M
    18
    J
    5
    J
    1
    A
    16
    S
    16
    O
    47
    N
    137
    D
    221

    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

    737 Sightings
    J
    42
    F
    160
    M
    298
    A
    42
    M
    21
    J
    7
    J
    2
    A
    17
    S
    19
    O
    36
    N
    37
    D
    56

    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

    686 Sightings
    J
    71
    F
    115
    M
    225
    A
    73
    M
    24
    J
    0
    J
    1
    A
    13
    S
    0
    O
    11
    N
    61
    D
    92
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark

    679 Sightings
    J
    101
    F
    97
    M
    192
    A
    90
    M
    8
    J
    19
    J
    0
    A
    10
    S
    12
    O
    11
    N
    54
    D
    85

    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

    603 Sightings
    J
    99
    F
    75
    M
    126
    A
    71
    M
    24
    J
    2
    J
    5
    A
    6
    S
    2
    O
    34
    N
    67
    D
    92
    Zebra Shark

    Zebra Shark

    569 Sightings
    J
    59
    F
    56
    M
    77
    A
    107
    M
    69
    J
    27
    J
    11
    A
    31
    S
    20
    O
    23
    N
    46
    D
    43

    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

    565 Sightings
    J
    60
    F
    148
    M
    139
    A
    73
    M
    17
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    2
    S
    0
    O
    26
    N
    42
    D
    58

    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

    456 Sightings
    J
    54
    F
    92
    M
    82
    A
    73
    M
    8
    J
    1
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    6
    N
    45
    D
    95

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

    Total number of species approx.: 6

    Ghost Pipefishes

    Ghost Pipefishes

    442 Sightings
    J
    42
    F
    103
    M
    142
    A
    94
    M
    5
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    19
    D
    37

    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

    415 Sightings
    J
    62
    F
    77
    M
    89
    A
    44
    M
    9
    J
    2
    J
    0
    A
    1
    S
    0
    O
    10
    N
    63
    D
    58
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark

    368 Sightings
    J
    32
    F
    61
    M
    80
    A
    36
    M
    28
    J
    19
    J
    19
    A
    4
    S
    10
    O
    16
    N
    13
    D
    50

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

    Total number of species approx.: 2

    Tarpon

    Tarpon

    357 Sightings
    J
    34
    F
    76
    M
    138
    A
    43
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    1
    S
    0
    O
    2
    N
    19
    D
    43
    Ribbon Moray Eel (Ghost Eel)

    Ribbon Moray Eel (Ghost Eel)

    342 Sightings
    J
    56
    F
    58
    M
    69
    A
    44
    M
    25
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    1
    O
    2
    N
    21
    D
    66
    Garibaldi Damselfish

    Garibaldi Damselfish

    289 Sightings
    J
    19
    F
    80
    M
    100
    A
    25
    M
    6
    J
    1
    J
    0
    A
    2
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    14
    D
    42

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