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Thailand

© iStock/saiko3

Explore Thailand

Diving in Thailand offers a diverse and captivating underwater experience, making it a premier destination for divers worldwide. The country's diving scene is largely centered around the Andaman Sea, particularly on the eastern coast, where crystal-clear, warm waters reveal vibrant reefs teeming with hard and soft corals. These underwater gardens are havens for marine life, from the majestic whale sharks and graceful manta rays to the charismatic napoleon wrasse. Thailand's rich marine biodiversity is complemented by its strong culture of hospitality, welcoming divers of all skill levels to explore its aquatic wonders.

Liveaboard diving is particularly popular, especially around the Similan and Surin Islands, which are renowned for their remote locations and nutrient-rich currents that attract a myriad of marine species. These islands offer some of the best diving spots in the region, with both short and extended liveaboard trips available. For those with limited time, day trips to the Similan Islands provide a glimpse into the vibrant underwater world. Further south, islands like Koh Samui and Koh Tao have become bustling dive hubs, perfect for beginners and backpacking diving enthusiasts seeking a blend of community spirit and exceptional diving opportunities. Here, the competitive dive industry ensures high-quality courses at attractive prices, making Thailand a top choice for both novice and experienced divers alike.

Power Plug Type
A, B, C, O, F
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, DIS, DC, JCB, Cir, Plus
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff / Tipping is appreciated in restaurants and hotels; some higher-end venues include a 10% service charge.
Currency
THB
Dial Code
+66
Electricity
230 V / 50 Hz
Time
UTC+7 (ICT)

Top Regions to Explore

Upcoming Events

Try Scuba

Try Scuba

Try Scuba Diving in Phuket – The Perfect First Underwater Experience If you've ever wondered what it feels like to breathe underwater, Try Scuba Diving in Phuket is the perfect way to experience it — no certification and no previous diving experience required. This beginner-friendly introduction is designed for complete newcomers and is even suitable for non-swimmers, making it one of the easiest ways to discover the underwater world safely. Your experience begins with a short, simple training session where a professional instructor introduces you to the essential scuba equipment and teaches you how to breathe comfortably underwater. You’ll also learn basic skills such as fin movement and underwater communication — all in a safe, controlled environment before entering the ocean. Many first-time divers feel nervous before their first dive — and that’s completely normal. With expert guidance and step-by-step instruction, you’ll quickly discover how easy and relaxing scuba diving can be. Phuket Dive Tours focuses on safety and enjoyment, ensuring you feel confident every step of the way. The experience is open to anyone aged 10 and above and does not require swimming ability. Fins help you move effortlessly through the water, allowing even non-swimmers to enjoy the sensation of weightlessness beneath the surface. Try Scuba Diving is ideal if you’re curious about diving but not ready to commit to a full certification course. It gives you the chance to test the experience first — and if you love it, you can easily progress to a second ocean dive or even continue towards a full diving licence later. Whether you're looking for a unique holiday activity or the first step toward becoming a certified diver, this introductory scuba experience is a safe, fun, and unforgettable way to explore Phuket’s underwater world for the very first time.

Phuket Dive Tours Chalong, 10/10 Soi Ta-iad, Chalong, 83130, Phuket, THA
September 12, 2026 +162 More
$75.63
THB 2,500.00
Open Water Diver

Open Water Diver

If you're curious about scuba diving but want something more meaningful than a one-day experience, the Open Water Diver course is the ultimate way to truly try scuba diving in Phuket. Designed for complete beginners, this course introduces you to the underwater world step-by-step — giving you the chance to learn real diving skills while safely exploring the ocean for the first time. No previous experience is required. Your journey begins with simple online learning that explains how scuba equipment works, how to breathe underwater comfortably, and the key safety principles every diver should understand. This allows you to learn at your own pace before entering the water. Next, you’ll move into confined water training where your instructor will guide you through essential skills such as buoyancy control, regulator use, and underwater communication in a calm, controlled environment. Once you're comfortable, it’s time for the most exciting part — your first open water dives in the ocean. Over multiple dives, you’ll practice what you’ve learned while discovering Phuket’s marine life and developing confidence underwater. The course typically takes around three days to complete and includes both theory and practical training dives. By the end, you’ll not only have experienced scuba diving — you’ll have gained the skills to dive safely to depths of up to 18 metres anywhere in the world. This makes it perfect for anyone who wants to move beyond just “trying” diving and instead start a lifelong adventure. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the underwater world, this is your chance to turn curiosity into confidence — and your first breath underwater into a globally recognised diving certification.

Phuket Dive Tours Chalong, 10/10 Soi Ta-iad, Chalong, 83130, Phuket, THA
September 12, 2026 +163 More
$299.50
THB 9,900.00
Scuba Skills Update

Scuba Skills Update

It’s completely normal for scuba skills to feel a little rusty if you haven’t been diving for a while. Confidence can fade over time — but the SSI Scuba Skills Update is designed to get you back in the water feeling comfortable, capable, and ready to dive again. This refresher program gives you the opportunity to review and practice the key skills you learned during your Open Water Diver training, all under the guidance of an experienced SSI Professional. In a relaxed and supportive environment, you’ll revisit essential techniques such as buoyancy control, regulator recovery, mask clearing, and general dive safety procedures. It’s the perfect option to take before a dive holiday, allowing you to rebuild confidence before heading out on fun dives. Instead of worrying about your abilities, you’ll be able to fully relax and focus on enjoying the experience — and the incredible marine life around you. The Scuba Skills Update is also ideal for students who have not yet completed their Open Water certification. If you’re a non-certified diver preparing for your open water training dives, this session provides valuable extra practice to help you feel fully prepared. With no strict course duration, the refresher is completely flexible. You can spend as much time as needed focusing on the skills you want to improve, ensuring you return to diving feeling safe, confident, and in control. Whether you're getting back into diving after a break or preparing to complete your certification, this program is the easiest way to refresh your skills and enjoy your next dive with confidence.

Phuket Dive Tours Chalong, 10/10 Soi Ta-iad, Chalong, 83130, Phuket, THA
September 12, 2026 +163 More
$57.48
THB 1,900.00

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

Top Wildlife Sightings in Thailand

Many divers flock to Thailand for the chance to see larger pelagics such a colossal whalesharks and manta rays which pass by the rocky outcrops further out to sea. These majestic creatures are most common in the areas around the Similans and further north in the Surin Islands.

Closer to shore divers will find that even walking off the beach, a coral encrusted sea floor filled with colour awaits. Brightly spotted octopus, napoleon wrasse and cheeky trigger fish can be found all over Thailand’s reefs and wreck as well as shoals of barracuda and legions of turtles. Critters are everywhere around filling every nook and cranny of the coral reefs pipefish, seahorses, eels and brightly coloured shrimp can be found by eagle eyed divers all over Thailand.

For shark lovers the most common types found in Thailand are black and white tip reef sharks who can be found circling around the reefs during the day and hunting during night dives. Leopard and guitar sharks, although a little rarer than reef sharks can also be found and are excellent subjects for underwater photographers

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

54k Sightings
J
6.2k
F
6.4k
M
6.8k
A
5.3k
M
2.7k
J
2.1k
J
3.7k
A
4.2k
S
2.3k
O
3.2k
N
4.9k
D
5.9k

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

50k Sightings
J
4.9k
F
5.6k
M
6.4k
A
5.3k
M
2.9k
J
2.6k
J
4.4k
A
4.7k
S
2.8k
O
3k
N
3.2k
D
4.3k

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

19k Sightings
J
1.9k
F
2k
M
2.4k
A
2k
M
1.1k
J
1.2k
J
1.7k
A
1.6k
S
1.1k
O
1.1k
N
1.2k
D
1.7k
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

11k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.2k
M
1.3k
A
1.1k
M
622
J
648
J
1k
A
1.1k
S
630
O
564
N
652
D
1.2k
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

9k Sightings
J
948
F
1.1k
M
983
A
835
M
437
J
455
J
836
A
931
S
435
O
393
N
723
D
968
Whale Shark

Whale Shark

8.5k Sightings
J
758
F
777
M
732
A
538
M
668
J
446
J
807
A
1.1k
S
1.2k
O
513
N
293
D
602

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

3.4k Sightings
J
384
F
424
M
573
A
500
M
226
J
173
J
189
A
186
S
57
O
47
N
282
D
372

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

89k Sightings
J
8.2k
F
8.6k
M
10k
A
8.7k
M
5.2k
J
5.3k
J
8.9k
A
9.6k
S
5.6k
O
5.4k
N
6k
D
7.8k

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

83k Sightings
J
7.6k
F
8k
M
9.3k
A
8k
M
4.9k
J
4.8k
J
8.4k
A
9k
S
5.3k
O
5.1k
N
5.5k
D
7k

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

76k Sightings
J
7.3k
F
7.8k
M
9.2k
A
7.6k
M
4.4k
J
4.1k
J
6.7k
A
7.2k
S
4.3k
O
4.7k
N
5.7k
D
7.3k

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

70k Sightings
J
6.7k
F
7.1k
M
8.3k
A
7k
M
4.4k
J
4.2k
J
6.2k
A
6.8k
S
4.1k
O
4.3k
N
5.1k
D
6.3k

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

69k Sightings
J
6.9k
F
7.2k
M
8.8k
A
6.7k
M
3.7k
J
3.4k
J
5.9k
A
6.4k
S
3.7k
O
4.4k
N
5.6k
D
6.4k

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

64k Sightings
J
5.2k
F
5.6k
M
6.8k
A
6.1k
M
4k
J
4k
J
7.3k
A
7.4k
S
4.8k
O
4.1k
N
3.7k
D
4.7k

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

60k Sightings
J
5.7k
F
6.1k
M
7.5k
A
6.4k
M
3.5k
J
3.2k
J
5.3k
A
5.6k
S
3.4k
O
3.6k
N
4.2k
D
5.2k

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

44k Sightings
J
4.8k
F
5k
M
5.6k
A
4.7k
M
2.3k
J
1.9k
J
3.3k
A
3.5k
S
1.9k
O
2.7k
N
3.8k
D
4.6k

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

41k Sightings
J
3.3k
F
3.9k
M
4.4k
A
4.3k
M
2.8k
J
2.6k
J
4.7k
A
4.8k
S
2.8k
O
2.5k
N
2.2k
D
2.9k

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

31k Sightings
J
4.1k
F
3.9k
M
4.1k
A
3.1k
M
1.4k
J
918
J
1.5k
A
1.8k
S
891
O
1.8k
N
3.3k
D
4k

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

30k Sightings
J
2.6k
F
3k
M
3.5k
A
2.8k
M
1.6k
J
1.7k
J
2.8k
A
2.9k
S
1.9k
O
2.2k
N
2.1k
D
2.7k

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

26k Sightings
J
2.5k
F
2.6k
M
3.4k
A
2.5k
M
1.4k
J
1.4k
J
2.2k
A
2.4k
S
1.5k
O
1.5k
N
1.8k
D
2.5k

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

24k Sightings
J
2.3k
F
2.5k
M
3k
A
2.6k
M
1.3k
J
1.2k
J
2k
A
2.2k
S
1.2k
O
1.5k
N
1.6k
D
2.3k

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

22k Sightings
J
2k
F
2.1k
M
2.8k
A
2.3k
M
1.1k
J
1.2k
J
2k
A
2k
S
1.2k
O
1.5k
N
1.6k
D
1.9k

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

21k Sightings
J
1.8k
F
2k
M
2.7k
A
2k
M
1.1k
J
1.1k
J
2k
A
2.2k
S
1.4k
O
1.7k
N
1.3k
D
1.8k

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

21k Sightings
J
2.1k
F
2.5k
M
3.1k
A
2.1k
M
946
J
799
J
1.4k
A
1.7k
S
982
O
1.2k
N
1.8k
D
2.2k

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

20k Sightings
J
1.9k
F
1.9k
M
2.4k
A
1.9k
M
1.2k
J
1.1k
J
1.8k
A
2k
S
1.3k
O
1.3k
N
1.3k
D
1.8k

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

17k Sightings
J
1.7k
F
1.9k
M
2.3k
A
1.8k
M
886
J
955
J
1.4k
A
1.5k
S
893
O
937
N
1.1k
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.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

17k Sightings
J
1.6k
F
1.8k
M
2k
A
1.5k
M
784
J
894
J
1.6k
A
1.9k
S
1.1k
O
1.1k
N
1.2k
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.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

15k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.4k
M
1.8k
A
1.4k
M
867
J
857
J
1.7k
A
1.6k
S
1k
O
1.2k
N
844
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.: 80

Emperor

Emperor

13k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.2k
M
1.6k
A
1.2k
M
724
J
777
J
1.4k
A
1.6k
S
850
O
974
N
778
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.: 20

Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish

12k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.3k
M
1.8k
A
1.1k
M
621
J
518
J
910
A
860
S
495
O
665
N
913
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.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

11k Sightings
J
1.4k
F
1.5k
M
1.7k
A
1.1k
M
418
J
321
J
534
A
759
S
325
O
575
N
1.1k
D
1.3k
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

11k Sightings
J
1.4k
F
1.4k
M
1.5k
A
960
M
383
J
461
J
772
A
906
S
434
O
535
N
748
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.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

10k Sightings
J
925
F
1k
M
1.4k
A
1.2k
M
601
J
608
J
956
A
968
S
574
O
549
N
604
D
839

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

6.8k Sightings
J
520
F
628
M
943
A
660
M
358
J
317
J
625
A
643
S
411
O
658
N
535
D
509

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

6.6k Sightings
J
724
F
958
M
919
A
636
M
288
J
167
J
288
A
448
S
199
O
350
N
686
D
913

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

6.5k Sightings
J
619
F
675
M
888
A
559
M
340
J
300
J
562
A
693
S
386
O
469
N
474
D
499

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

6.4k Sightings
J
455
F
648
M
708
A
740
M
433
J
435
J
627
A
709
S
373
O
309
N
457
D
538

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

4.6k Sightings
J
478
F
478
M
581
A
410
M
208
J
253
J
285
A
323
S
99
O
192
N
509
D
830
Common Seahorse

Common Seahorse

4k Sightings
J
504
F
540
M
655
A
492
M
187
J
117
J
249
A
274
S
101
O
133
N
276
D
432
Banded Sea Krait

Banded Sea Krait

3.9k Sightings
J
457
F
493
M
559
A
451
M
159
J
155
J
260
A
307
S
197
O
109
N
340
D
395

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

3.3k Sightings
J
277
F
421
M
424
A
347
M
224
J
195
J
263
A
364
S
172
O
180
N
195
D
261

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

Total number of species approx.: 300

Squid

Squid

2.4k Sightings
J
199
F
311
M
341
A
303
M
192
J
141
J
187
A
207
S
50
O
83
N
179
D
198

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

2.3k Sightings
J
245
F
380
M
388
A
247
M
116
J
107
J
143
A
168
S
58
O
93
N
180
D
172

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

2.3k Sightings
J
290
F
270
M
368
A
215
M
118
J
26
J
46
A
180
S
28
O
168
N
292
D
258

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