Explore Surat Thani

In the Gulf of Thailand just south of Cambodia is the beautiful paradise region of Surat Thani, which is one of Thailand’s best diving hotspots. Consisting of 112 islands, all with seemingly infinite reefs and dramatic underwater topography, it’s no surprise that the region is often included in the world’s premier diving destinations. 

The most popular islands are the world-famous Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, all of which are easily accessible by ferry from the mainland. Koh Ang Thong marine national park is also included in this area, which similarly boasts exceptional dive sites suitable for all skill levels. Whether you’re a diver or not, you’re bound to be engulfed by the islands’ white sandy beaches peppered with swaying palm trees, all surrounded by pristine waters overflowing with diverse marine life. Expect to see an array of species, from colorful hard and soft corals, macro critters like nudibranch and shrimp, tons of tropical reef fish, eels, stingrays and octopus, to bigger critters, like grouper, schools of barracuda, turtles, reef sharks, and even whale sharks. 

Top Regions to Explore

Upcoming Events

Open Water Course

Open Water Course

The Open Water course is the first level of scuba diving certification. Upon completing the course, you will earn an internationally recognized certification that allows you to dive independently with a buddy to a depth of 18 meters.☛ 3-Day Course Schedule: ⌚ DAY 18:30 a.m. -> Paperwork and Equipment09:30 -> Academic12:00 -> 2 Dives5:00 p.m. -> End of the day ⌚ DAY 209:00 -> Academic10:00 -> Final exam12:00 -> 2 Dives5:00 p.m. -> End of the day ⌚ DAY 306:30 -> 2 Dives12:00 -> Certification☛ Price: 9,000 THB⚠️ NOTE: After the first day of in-water training, you can decide whether or not you want to continue with the course. If you decide to stop, you’ll only pay the cancellation fee: 2,500 THB if you cancel after the first dive, or 3,000 THB if you cancel after the second dive. ☛ The course includes:☑️ Diving insurance☑️ 6 dives☑️ Diving equipment☑️ Online study materials☑️ Private departure from our own beach (no transfers or crowded docks).☑️ Our commitment to not take you to overcrowded dive sites, where you’ll see more divers than fish. ✨ MAX 3 Students / Instructor ✨This means we can truly focus on you—something we take very seriously to avoid overcrowded, low-quality courses.We include 6 open-water dives ❗ More time in the water means better training and a much more complete experience.➡ The lowest instructor-to-student ratio on Koh Tao

Ihasia Diving Kohtao, 50/15 moo 3, 84360, Koh Tao, THA
August 12, 2026 +14 More
$272.70
THB 9,000.00
TRY DIVE

TRY DIVE

The Introductory Dive is a one-day activity designed for those who want to experience the underwater world for the first time. No prior experience is necessary. It’s the perfect way to try scuba diving without committing to a full courseThis is not a certification course. If you want to become a certified diver, you must take the Open Water course (2–3 days). ☛ ACTIVITY SCHEDULE: ⌚ 10:30 AM - THEORYA short theoretical session where we’ll show you the diving equipment and explain what the activity will entail once we’re out in the water.⌚ 12:00 PM - TIME TO GO DIVING.Dive 1: An introductory session, starting at a shallow depth and performing some exercises to build comfort and confidence, followed by the dive, which lasts about 45 minutes on average (depending on air consumption).Dive 2: After enjoying some pineapple, cookies, and coffee, it’s time for a second dive.⌚ 5:00 p.m. – RETURN TO THE DIVE CENTER. ☛ PRICES:3,000 THB - 2 DIVES ⭐2,300 THB - 1 DIVE ☛ THE ACTIVITY INCLUDES:✔Diving medical insurance✔ Complete diving gear✔ Beverages and snacks on board (pineapple, cookies, coffee/tea)✔ Private departure from our own beach (no transfers or crowded docks). ⭐ WHAT MAKES OUR INTRODUCTORY DIVE UNIQUE:The key to making your first time underwater 100% safe and relaxed is keeping the group small, so we can keep an eye on you every second, ensuring a much more intimate and personalized experience.✨ We are the school with the lowest instructor-to-student ratio on Koh Tao ✨

Ihasia Diving Kohtao, 50/15 moo 3, 84360, Koh Tao, THA
August 12, 2026 +14 More
$90.90
THB 3,000.00

Dive Activity

Diving in Surat Thani

The region has a boatload of dive centers and dive resorts to choose from, catering to all budgets. Liveaboards are a good choice for those who want to dive all areas without staying on the islands, and they’re also aplenty. Dive courses are just as readily available in multiple languages, and are very affordable. The area is popular among those taking their first breaths underwater. Advanced divers also enjoy the relaxing sites here, and many even obtain higher level certifications, thanks to a wealth of varied sites with suitable training conditions for doing so.

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

The best Months to dive in Surat Thani

Diving is great all year round, with excellent visibility, averaging around 20–30 meters/66–98 feet. Weather is mostly hot and sunny year-round with water temperatures lingering around 28°C–30°C/82°F–86°F, though there are three distinguishable seasons involving hot, windy, and wet seasons. November is the rainy period, when overcast skies and storms occur, causing lesser visibility and choppier seas, but diving is still possible as some sites are sheltered from harsher conditions. May to September is the busiest season, when the weather and diving conditions are the most favourable.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Surat Thani

The  majority of dive sites boast vibrant reefs teeming with colorful life. With exhilarating seascapes in the mix, there's unforgettable wall and cave diving, with interesting tunnels, swim-throughs, caverns, canyons and drop-offs. Plus, phenomenal shipwrecks are included on the list, many of which are suitable for beginner divers to discover. Boat diving is common practice, with many dive operators offering daily trips. Shore diving is possible, though only in certain areas.

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.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

30k Sightings
J
2.6k
F
2.8k
M
3.4k
A
3k
M
2.2k
J
2k
J
3.5k
A
3.1k
S
2.1k
O
1.9k
N
1.2k
D
2k

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

17k Sightings
J
1.5k
F
1.5k
M
1.9k
A
1.5k
M
1.1k
J
1.1k
J
2.1k
A
1.9k
S
1.1k
O
1.1k
N
714
D
1k

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

14k Sightings
J
1.4k
F
1.3k
M
1.6k
A
1.4k
M
975
J
1.1k
J
1.5k
A
1.2k
S
961
O
903
N
852
D
1.1k
Whale Shark

Whale Shark

7.1k Sightings
J
659
F
721
M
647
A
422
M
600
J
326
J
679
A
813
S
1k
O
453
N
250
D
547
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

6.1k Sightings
J
542
F
577
M
542
A
499
M
403
J
424
J
784
A
658
S
447
O
390
N
269
D
546
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

2.5k Sightings
J
221
F
332
M
219
A
191
M
103
J
145
J
370
A
317
S
177
O
106
N
125
D
231

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

61k Sightings
J
5k
F
5.2k
M
6.1k
A
5.9k
M
4.1k
J
4.3k
J
7.4k
A
6.6k
S
4.5k
O
4.1k
N
3.2k
D
4.5k

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

53k Sightings
J
4.2k
F
4.3k
M
5.2k
A
4.9k
M
3.7k
J
3.8k
J
6.8k
A
6.1k
S
4.1k
O
3.5k
N
2.6k
D
3.4k

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

51k Sightings
J
3.9k
F
4.1k
M
5.2k
A
4.8k
M
3.6k
J
3.7k
J
6.8k
A
5.7k
S
4.1k
O
3.5k
N
2.4k
D
3.2k

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

48k Sightings
J
4.2k
F
4.3k
M
5k
A
4.7k
M
3.3k
J
3.4k
J
5.5k
A
4.8k
S
3.4k
O
3.2k
N
2.7k
D
3.8k

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

47k Sightings
J
4.1k
F
4.3k
M
4.9k
A
4.7k
M
3.4k
J
3.4k
J
5.1k
A
4.6k
S
3.2k
O
3.2k
N
2.6k
D
3.7k

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

39k Sightings
J
3.1k
F
3.6k
M
4.6k
A
4.2k
M
2.7k
J
2.7k
J
4.5k
A
4k
S
2.7k
O
2.6k
N
2k
D
2.6k

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

35k Sightings
J
2.8k
F
2.9k
M
3.7k
A
3.1k
M
2.3k
J
2.4k
J
4.2k
A
3.8k
S
2.6k
O
2.5k
N
1.9k
D
2.4k

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

32k Sightings
J
2.4k
F
3k
M
3.3k
A
3.4k
M
2.4k
J
2.2k
J
4.1k
A
3.4k
S
2.2k
O
2.1k
N
1.5k
D
2k

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

20k Sightings
J
1.6k
F
1.7k
M
1.9k
A
1.8k
M
1.2k
J
1.5k
J
2.3k
A
2.1k
S
1.6k
O
1.7k
N
1.2k
D
1.4k

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

18k Sightings
J
1.6k
F
1.8k
M
2.3k
A
2k
M
1.3k
J
1.1k
J
2k
A
1.6k
S
1.1k
O
1.2k
N
919
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.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

15k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.1k
M
1.5k
A
1.5k
M
1.1k
J
1.1k
J
1.8k
A
1.6k
S
1.2k
O
1k
N
746
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.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

14k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.2k
M
1.5k
A
1.3k
M
928
J
935
J
1.7k
A
1.5k
S
1.2k
O
1.3k
N
771
D
989

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

13k Sightings
J
1k
F
1.1k
M
1.5k
A
1.5k
M
921
J
953
J
1.5k
A
1.3k
S
852
O
901
N
565
D
865

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

12k Sightings
J
814
F
932
M
1.2k
A
1.1k
M
732
J
756
J
1.5k
A
1.2k
S
913
O
1k
N
643
D
802

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

12k Sightings
J
802
F
872
M
1.2k
A
1.3k
M
761
J
870
J
1.5k
A
1.3k
S
849
O
907
N
513
D
718

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

11k Sightings
J
839
F
874
M
1.2k
A
1.1k
M
812
J
822
J
1.3k
A
1.1k
S
925
O
758
N
403
D
695

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

11k Sightings
J
864
F
883
M
1.1k
A
970
M
637
J
701
J
1.3k
A
1.2k
S
736
O
885
N
653
D
887

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

9.7k Sightings
J
894
F
851
M
958
A
968
M
721
J
789
J
1.2k
A
1k
S
629
O
622
N
333
D
713

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

8.1k Sightings
J
666
F
728
M
951
A
809
M
560
J
519
J
944
A
876
S
591
O
568
N
324
D
536

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

5.8k Sightings
J
300
F
312
M
370
A
285
M
286
J
497
J
1k
A
1.1k
S
706
O
531
N
194
D
241

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

5.1k Sightings
J
331
F
288
M
429
A
490
M
375
J
452
J
773
A
681
S
484
O
393
N
227
D
221

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

4.8k Sightings
J
395
F
465
M
771
A
585
M
311
J
279
J
499
A
356
S
258
O
342
N
234
D
335

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

4.8k Sightings
J
262
F
248
M
504
A
404
M
328
J
315
J
623
A
577
S
383
O
593
N
324
D
246

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

3.4k Sightings
J
271
F
321
M
403
A
273
M
177
J
190
J
435
A
459
S
277
O
288
N
151
D
137

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

3.2k Sightings
J
192
F
269
M
262
A
312
M
241
J
268
J
447
A
391
S
256
O
191
N
167
D
166

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

1.7k Sightings
J
135
F
140
M
197
A
164
M
197
J
189
J
259
A
153
S
94
O
118
N
52
D
49

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Underwater Beginner