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.

Places to explore

Khao Lak

70 Divesites 11 Centers

Fringed by picture-perfect beaches and kissed by the gleaming Andaman Sea, Khao Lak has earned its places as one of Thailand’s favourite beach resorts.

Koh Yao Yai

Explore Koh Yao YaiKoh Yao Yai, nestled between Phuket and Krabi, offers a tranquil diving experienc

Koh Yao Noi

Explore Koh Yao NoiKoh Yao Noi is the smaller of the two main Koh Yao islands, situated in the middl

Dive Sites Show on map

Sea Bees Diving, 83130 Phuket

King Cruiser (★4.3)

King Cruiser is rated as one of the best wreck dive sites in Asia, certainly Thailand. Having sank on May 4th in 1997 this is an amazing wreck dive sitting at over 30m, the top of the wreck is now around 18m. Suitable for Advanced and technical divers. Large Schools of fish and beautiful coral.

SSI Service Center Thailand, 84360 Suratthani

Tha Tang Lake ขุมน้ำบ้านท่าแตง (★3.7)

Tha Tang Lake in Phang Nga, north of Phuket, offers a unique freshwater dive. This old tin mining site features submerged trees and wooden structures. Depths typically reach 15-17m with variable visibility (2-12m). An easy shore dive, it’s popular for buoyancy practice and exploring a non-reef environment.

Sea Bees Diving, 83130 Phuket

Shark Point (★4.3)

Shark Point is one of Phuket’s most popular dive sites. The three pinnacles of the Shark Point break the surface in a small area. The rest is submerged and covered in soft and hard corals. This is a great drift dive. You can frequently spot leopard sharks and bamboo sharks here, hence the name.

Sea Bees Diving, 83130 Phuket

Anemone Reef (★4.3)

Super divesite with plenty of fish. This submerged pinnacle is completely covered in softcorals and anemones and home to a great variety of species.

Hobo-Ya Similan, 83120 Phuket

Richelieu Rock (★4.6)

Richelieu Rock is one of the most popular dive sites in Surin Islands National Park. It is a limestone reef that rises almost vertically from a depth of 35 meters, and appears only at low tide, about 1 meter above the surface.

Hobo-Ya Similan, 83120 Phuket

Elephant Head Rock (★4.3)

Located in the middle of the sea between islands 7 and 8 in the Similan Islands, this reef dive site stands out in the middle of the sea. It was named after the shape of the rock sticking out of the water, which resembles the head of an elephant. The point is made up of huge layers of granite, dotted with numerous channels and swim-throughs that create a mystical landscape. The tide is good, and you can expect the feeding scene of the crabs, sharks and big fish in the early morning. In the shallow water, you can often find oversized trevally targeting small fish. This is one of the most dynamic dive sites in the Similan Islands.

Hobo-Ya Similan, 83120 Phuket

Three Trees (★4.3)

This point is located northeast of the 9th island in the Similan Islands. It is named after the three large trees that are used to mark the entry, from a shallow depth of about 5 meters to a reef slope of about 18 meters, beyond which there is a pure white sandy area dotted with isolated roots. Offshore, there are beautiful rocky areas with schools of soft corals, where you can see large fish. Because the tide splits on the island, the tide is clear and you can enjoy drift dives when the tide is strong.

Hobo-Ya Similan, 83120 Phuket

North Point (★4.2)

As the name suggests, North Point is the northernmost dive site in the Similan Islands, located on the north side of Island 9. The terrain is varied, with massive granite overlaps forming large walls, channels, and swim-throughs.

Hobo-Ya Similan, 83120 Phuket

Koh Bon, West Ridge (★4.2)

Bon Island, about 50 km west of Khao Lak, is an uplifted limestone island about 20 km north of the Similan Islands. This is a long and narrow ridge point on the west side of the island.

Sea Turtle Divers, 82220 Phang Nga

Koh Bon Pinnacle (★4.3)

Not for beginners! Koh Bon Pinnacle starts at 22m and ends at 45m or deeper. Beautiful vegetation with lots of yellow soft corals are here. There are no descent ropes available. Doing a negative entry is an advantage!

Hobo-Ya Similan, 83120 Phuket

Koh Tachai Pinnacle/The Dome (★4.4)

The Dome is a hidden reef point located about 500m south of Tachai Island. A large dome-shaped bedrock shaped like an upturned plate is dotted around a large granite boulder. The top of is at 12 meters and the current can be the strongest in the area depending on the conditions. As a result, there are many large predatory fish such as blue and white trevally, bluefin tuna, barracudas, manta rays, and whale bays.

SSI Thailand, 84360 Suratthani

Natai Pier/ท่าเรือหาดนาใต้ (★4.0)

Natai Pier, located in Phang Nga just north of Phuket, isn’t a traditional “dive site“ in the typical recreational sense with established dive operators visiting daily. It’s primarily a local fishing pier. Local shore dives or snorkeling occur in the vicinity,

Hobo-Ya Similan, 83120 Phuket

Christmas Point (★4.3)

Christmas Point is located on the western corner of Island 9 in the Similan Islands. It is named after the root of the thornbeam (English name: Christmas tree worm) that grows in clusters. Intricate rock formations eroded by tidal currents create channels and swim-throughs that provide dynamic terrain. Be careful out in the deep area along the rocks, as the tide is fast in some conditions.

Sea Turtle Divers, 82220 Phang Nga

Boulder City (★4.1)

Huge, bizarre boulders underwater that make it look like a city. You can easily find stream shadows if you want to. It leads a mouring-line down to 18m.

Sea Turtle Divers, 82220 Phang Nga

Honeymoon Bay (★4.2)

Totally shallow dive site if you stay on the island. Afterwards it is a steep sloping reef down to 30m depth. There can be a current. The shallow area is good for snorkeling, training courses, and night dives.

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.

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.