Diving Destinations in Thailand
Explore the most incredible underwater destinations in Thailand. From tropical reefs to dramatic walls, discover your next diving adventure.
Koh Tao
Koh Tao — literally “Turtle Island” — is a compact jewel in the Gulf of Thailand that has become Asia’s mecca for learning to dive. Its sheltered bays and offshore pinnacles host a surprising variety of marine life: coral gardens alive with parrotfish and angelfish, rocky domes where barracuda and trevally swirl, and the occasional whale shark gliding in from the blue. Warm, clear water and a laid‑back island vibe make it ideal for beginners, but seasoned divers will still find thrills at deeper sites like Chumphon and Southwest Pinnacles.
Phuket
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and a gateway to the Andaman Sea’s best diving. While its beaches draw sun‑seekers, just offshore you’ll find coral slopes, granite pinnacles, dramatic walls and an intriguing shipwreck teeming with life. The nearby Racha islands offer year‑round clear water and easy dives, while to the east the King Cruiser ferry wreck, Shark Point, Anemone Reef and Koh Doc Mai deliver deeper currents, leopard sharks and superb soft corals. With a busy international airport and plenty of dive centres, Phuket is a convenient base for day trips and liveaboards further afield.
Similan
The Similan Islands are an archipelago of nine granite islands in the Andaman Sea off Thailand’s west coast, protected as part of Mu Ko Similan National Park. Underwater you’ll find dramatic boulder formations, swim‑throughs, coral gardens and drop‑offs teeming with life. Manta rays and whale sharks cruise by at sites like Richelieu Rock and Koh Tachai, while reef sharks, leopard sharks, turtles and swarming schools of fusiliers and trevally are common. The park is only open from mid‑October to mid‑May, when calm seas and clear water make for world‑class liveaboard trips or speedboat day tours.