Top Picks For You
Thailand Travel Guide
START

10 Best Snorkeling and Diving Sites in Thailand

Dive in and discover the beauty beneath the water’s surface around these stunning Thai islands.

With ancient ruins, opulent palaces, and ornate temples at every turn, there’s just so much to see on land in Thailand, but you’ll be missing out if you don’t make time for its equally awe-inspiring underwater worlds. To put it mildly, Thailand is a snorkeling and diving paradise, with some of the top dive sites in the world, beautiful beaches, pristine waters, and an abundance of spectacular, colorful marine life.

1 OF 10

Koh Tao

A ferry ride from Koh Samui, Koh Tao, otherwise known as Turtle Island, is world-renowned for scuba diving and an excellent place to learn or enhance your skills as there are so many dive shops. Sail Rock (technically between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan) is widely considered one of the best dive sites in all of Thailand for its secret (but not-so-secret) pinnacle, which rises about 15m above water and extends 40m deep to offer a haven of marine life for divers of all levels.

INSIDER TIPAow Leuk offers prime snorkeling on the less-populated southern part of the island. Enter near the rocks on the right side for the best coral reef access.

 

2 OF 10

Koh Rok Islands

These two small, unspoiled islands, an hour from Koh Lanta are part of Mu Loh Lanta Marine National Park and offer an abundance and diversity of marine life (with great turtle-spotting), some of the most pristine coral reefs in Thailand, and pretty beaches. Good for all levels.

3 OF 10

Hin Daeng and Hin Muang

On the outer fringes of Mu Koh Lanta Marine Park and a three-hour trip from Koh Ngai, these famed diving sites are musts for experienced divers. Hin Daeng, known as Red Rock, and Hin Muang, known as Purple Rock, feature amazing color in the coral and anemones, steep walls, huge shoals of fish, whale and nurse sharks, tuna, barracuda, and more. Nearby Koh Ha (between Hin Daeng and Phi Phi) offers stunning caverns with stalactites and is a great spot for a night dive.

4 OF 10

Koh Phi Phi

Snorkeling or diving around Koh Phi Phi’s limestone cliffs is bucket-list stuff while in Thailand. Dive with leopard sharks at Shark Point, considered the best dive site at Koh Phi Phi while Lana Bay, and the Mosquito and Bamboo Islands offer rich and shallow coral reefs for snorkelers.

5 OF 10

Koh Chang

A haven for divers and those looking to get their PADI certification, Koh Chang is home to one of Thailand’s largest shipwrecks, the HTMS Chang, making for an unforgettable diving experience. There are several rock pinnacles like Hin Luk Bat and Hin Rap where you can see the world’s biggest fish, the whale shark. If you’re looking to snorkel, make your way to Pearl Beach. Nearby islands like Koh Wai offer relatively undisturbed islands and uncrowded dive sites with shallow, hard coral reef populated with stingrays, leopard sharks, and colorful reef fish.

6 OF 10

Koh Larn

Aptly named Coral Island for its plentiful coral reefs, you’ll find beautiful beaches and harmless tawny nurse sharks and blue spotted stingrays swimming just offshore. Head to Nual “Monkey” Beach for some more secluded snorkeling or any beach on the western part of the island for soft and hard corals.

7 OF 10

Koh Talu

One of Thailand’s few privately-owned islands, snorkelers and divers off the pristine beaches at Koh Talu can see broad swaths of colorful fish thanks to the island’s resident fish conservationist. Diving trips to nearby islands can also be arranged. The island’s one resort has beachside bungalows, private beaches, snorkeling, and diving opportunities. Guests can seed new coral in the reefs and contribute to sea turtle preservation efforts.

8 OF 10

Koh Kradan

This quiet island is off-the-beaten tourist track and known for its off-the-beach snorkeling. Enter the water in front of Ao Niang Resort and swim to a significant drop-off (that runs from the southern cape to the National Park headquarters) to find colorful corals and massive schools of fish.

9 OF 10

Koh Similan

This group of nine islands with crystal clear waters and a sea turtle sanctuary are protected national parks and only reachable by boat from November to April. Book a day tour or stay overnight at Pakarang Beach to snorkel islands four to nine from February on to see manta rays and whale sharks.

10 OF 10

Koh Lipe

Located near the Thailand/Malaysia border, this small, southern island is a tropical paradise for divers, with what is considered one of the best-preserved seabeds, with exceptional underwater fauna. Get your PADI Open Water certificate on the island to explore famed diving spots like Sting Ray City, Yong Hua Shipwreck, Stonehenge, Boonsung Wreck, Hin Takorn Dukong, and 8 Mile Rock. For those more interesting in snorkeling, rent a mask and walk straight into the water off any of the island’s main beaches like Sunset Beach and Pattaya.

Comments are Closed.