Koh Samet
Explore Rayong ProvinceRayong Province, located in the Gulf of Thailand, offers a distinctive diving
Explore Rayong Province
Rayong Province, located in the Gulf of Thailand, offers a distinctive diving experience characterized by its tranquil, uncrowded sites and diverse marine life. The region's most popular diving spot, Koh Samet, is a haven for both beginners and seasoned divers. New divers can explore stunning reefs, while experienced ones can take on challenges like the Alhambra Pinnacle. The area is also famous for liveaboard trips that provide access to the best diving locations in Rayong.
Diving in Rayong typically involves exploring vibrant coral reefs, boulder and pinnacle sites, and even a shipwreck, the intriguing Phetra Wreck. The reefs are teeming with tropical marine life, including macro species, an array of reef fish, eels, octopuses, sea snakes, and cuttlefish. Divers often delight in sightings of turtles and reef sharks. Unique to this region are coral species like the magnificent elephant ear sponge colony at the Sand Terrace dive site.
The ideal diving season is from November to April, when conditions are most stable, with water temperatures between 28°C–30°C/82°F–86°F. While diving is possible from May to October, reduced visibility and choppier seas can be expected, offering a quieter experience with potential discounts on accommodation and diving packages.
Places to explore
Dive Activity
Diving in Rayong Province
Rayong Province, situated along Thailand's eastern seaboard, offers divers an impressive array of sites, from captivating wrecks to vibrant shore dives. One highlight is the HTMS Prab, a shipwreck teeming with marine life, providing thrill-seekers with an engaging underwater exploration. This wreck site is particularly popular among advanced divers, offering a glimpse into history as well as encounters with schools of fish. For those preferring shore diving, Mae Ramphueng Beach is ideal, with its easy access and colorful coral reefs. Night diving here reveals the mesmerizing bioluminescence and nocturnal marine creatures that make the experience unforgettable. Rayong caters to both shore and liveaboard divers, with options to fit different preferences, ensuring a well-rounded dive adventure for all enthusiasts.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Rayong Province
Rayong Province, located along Thailand's eastern seaboard, is renowned for its vibrant marine ecosystems, particularly in areas such as Ko Samet and the nearby islands. These waters are teeming with a variety of reef fish, including angelfish, parrotfish, and butterflyfish, which are commonly sighted by divers exploring the coral reefs. Visibility and water conditions make these species a frequent delight for underwater enthusiasts. Seasonal highlights in Rayong include the occasional sightings of blacktip reef sharks and hawksbill turtles, especially in the warmer months from March to May. Divers might also encounter blue-spotted rays gliding gracefully over sandy bottoms. While these species are less frequent than common reef fish, visiting during the right season increases the likelihood of such encounters, offering a thrilling experience for those exploring the aquatic landscapes of Rayong.
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: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
338 Sightings
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27
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19
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36
A
13
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
2
S
6
O
89
N
107
D
39
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
27 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
J
2
A
0
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0
O
0
N
25
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
521 Sightings
J
28
F
38
M
74
A
45
M
22
J
0
J
2
A
3
S
4
O
123
N
98
D
84
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
369 Sightings
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13
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29
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45
A
25
M
19
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0
J
2
A
3
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0
O
64
N
98
D
71
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
349 Sightings
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13
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15
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48
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25
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19
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0
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1
A
4
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6
O
71
N
84
D
63
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 8
Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish
282 Sightings
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12
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29
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16
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26
M
14
J
0
J
2
A
3
S
7
O
61
N
72
D
40
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
197 Sightings
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0
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16
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37
A
10
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0
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0
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0
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0
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2
O
46
N
54
D
32
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3000
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch
175 Sightings
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10
F
10
M
10
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
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3
O
20
N
71
D
51
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 7000
iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab
158 Sightings
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0
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20
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20
A
8
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
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0
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30
N
44
D
35
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 110
iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper
146 Sightings
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0
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9
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24
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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2
O
38
N
46
D
27
The best Months to dive in Rayong Province
Rayong Province in Thailand offers year-round diving opportunities with varying conditions. During November to February, water temperatures range from 27°C to 29°C/81°F to 84°F, providing comfortable diving conditions. Visibility is generally good, ranging from 10 to 20 meters/33 to 66 feet, though it can be affected by occasional monsoons.
From March to October, temperatures rise to 29°C–31°C/84°F–88°F, and visibility can decrease slightly due to increased plankton. While diving is feasible year-round, the best conditions are from November to April when the weather is more stable, and the seas calmer. Wind and currents are typically mild, but it's advisable to check forecasts before planning dives, especially during the rainy season.
