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

Koh Yao Yai, nestled between Phuket and Krabi, offers a tranquil diving experience, ideal for those seeking a serene retreat with breathtaking underwater landscapes. The island's unspoiled beaches are gateways to diving sites teeming with life and stunning seascapes. Dive operators on Koh Yao Yai provide access to renowned sites like the Koh Bida Islands and Anemone Reef, each promising unique adventures. Here, divers can explore underwater mountains, vibrant coral gardens, and intriguing wrecks, providing ample opportunities for both novice and advanced divers to hone their skills and indulge in the island's natural beauty.

Koh Yao Noi

Koh Yao Noi is the smaller of the two main Koh Yao islands, situated in the middle of Thailand’s Phang-nga Bay. The location is untouched by mass tourism, and as a result, still enjoys a very quiet, relaxed island vibe, and displays true traditional Thai island living. Characterized by small Thai villages and surrounded by silky sand beaches and pristine tropical waters, it’s the perfect getaway for those wanting something unique and special, away from the crowds.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ King Cruiser

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.

5,346
Logs
3,643
Divers
26.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Tha Tang Lake ขุมน้ำบ้านท่าแตง

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.

789
Logs
229
Divers
8.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Shark Point

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.

12,405
Logs
7,535
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Anemone Reef

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

1,466
Logs
1,184
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Richelieu Rock

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.

23,870
Logs
7,109
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Elephant Head Rock

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.

3,473
Logs
2,856
Divers
26.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Three Trees

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.

3,783
Logs
3,051
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ North Point

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.

2,228
Logs
1,801
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Koh Bon, West Ridge

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.

4,837
Logs
2,933
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Koh Bon Pinnacle

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!

2,944
Logs
1,897
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Koh Tachai Pinnacle/The Dome

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.

10,799
Logs
5,096
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Natai Pier/ท่าเรือหาดนาใต้

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,

190
Logs
89
Divers
7.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Christmas Point

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.

2,270
Logs
1,874
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Boulder City

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.

341
Logs
296
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Honeymoon Bay

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.

2,159
Logs
1,753
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

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.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Khao Lak Scuba Adventures

13/47 Moo 7, T. Khuk Khak, 82220 A. Takuapa, Phang Nga, THA

King Andaman

13/19 Moo 7 KhukKhak, 82220 Takuapa, THA

ME Diving Khaolak Co Ltd

68/26 Moo5, 82220 Taknapa, THA

X Dive

7/1 Moo 5 Khuek Khak, 82220 Takua Pa, Phang Nga, THA

Funky Monkey Dive and Tour

57/6 BangNiang Road KhuekKhak, TakuaPa,, 82220 Phang Nga, THA

Sea Bees Diving Khao Lak

Palm Garden Resort, 82190 Phang Nga, THA

Loma Diving Adventure

67/1 Moo5, 82220 Takuapa, THA

Andaman Scuba

69/3 Moo 5, 82220 Khao Lak, THA

Big Blue Diving Khao Lak

4/53 Moo 7, Khuk Kak, Takua Pa, 82190 Phang Nga, THA

The Dive Box

80/9 Moo 6, Soi Udomsub, Khao Lak, Khuk Khak, 82220 PhangNga, THA

Sea Turtle Divers

57/12 Moo 5 Khao Lak, Bang Niang, 82220 Phang Nga, THA