Pattaya Diving
Diving Pattaya. Come Diving in Thailand - The Gulf of Siam has some outstanding marine environments, and Pattaya, with it's surrounding islands, certainly has it's share. We have an abundance of hard and soft corals, countless species of marine life, and some of the only wrecks found in Thai waters. The Pattaya bay area is fortunate in that it's weather and sea conditions allow all year round diving, unlike some of the southern Gulf areas and the west coast Andaman sea areas that are generally limited to late October to early May.
Seafari operates mostly single-day dive trips to the many Pattaya islands. The boat usually depart from the pier at about 9am, arriving at the near island dive sites, (7-8 km offshore), within approximately 30-45 minutes. Travel time to the far islands (15km - 20km offshore) takes around 1 and1/2 hours. The Pattaya far Islands are normally our first choice, the visibility and marine life are far superior compared to the nearer island dive sites. All trips return at about 4:00-4;30pm. Costs include lunch, drinks, dive guide/instructor, tanks, weights and hotel pick up and drop off. Hotel pick up time is 8am.
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The marine environment in the region consists of impressive hard and soft corals. The marine life is extremely varied with clowns, butterfly fish, angelfish damsels, groupers, turtles, morays and stingrays to name just a few. Dive depths vary from 3 meters close to the islands down to 15-18 meters)where the coral begins to peter out. Generally, the best and most colorful coral dives take place between 6 - 15 meters. Wreck dive depths are between 18 - 30 meters. |
Pattaya Dive Site Map  Click image to enlarge |
The Near Islands.
The near islands are a cluster of three islands 5-7km off Pattaya Beach. The islands are Koh Sak, Koh Larn and Koh Khrok.
Koh Sak
Depth: 5-20m
Varied topography for several types of dives. Ideal for training in the sandy areas of the bay. Also very pleasant drift dives.
Koh Larn --> Laem Tong ("Golden Bay")
Depth: 6-18m
Outstanding site with a series of small walls, definite line dividing hard and soft corals, tawny nurse sharks and spotted rays often seen.
Koh Larn, Hat Nuan
Depth: 3-12m
Contains a set of vertical concrete pipes teeming with coral, some, good for drift dives.
Koh Krok
Depth 3-12m
Very nice reef, good for medium current drift dives. Large turtle or two living on the reef for a number of years,
The Far Islands
Far Islands consists of 4 or 5 islands about 15km off Pattaya beach.
Koh Phai
Depth: 10-30 m
The Star attraction just of Koh Phai is the HTMS Khram wreck dive site which is a fantanstic dive site
Koh Man Wichai
Depth: 5-20m
Small walls highlighted by hard and soft corals. Diverse marine life including angel, butterfly, barracuda. Popular site for turtles. There have been a few visits from a large marble ray over the last few years or so.
Koh Rin
Depth: 3-25m
Several great sites close to this small island. Hard corals, sponges, sea whips, barrel sponge, table corals and sea anemones. Reef life includes sand rays, blue spotted sting rays, puffer fish morays and schooling fish. There are many sightings of small friendly turtles on a daily basis.
Koh Klueng Badan
Depth 3-18m
very good for drift diving from the deeper south end of the Island up to the shallow sandy area. which is perfect for beginners or a refresher dive.
Koh Hoo Chang
Max depth 15m
varied coral and marine life. very nice dive on the south point of the Island
(1) Samae San
The sites off Samae San offer some of the best diving in the area. (2) Shark Fin Rock
A rocky ridge with good presence of hard corals, barrel sponges and gorgonian sea fans. Marine life includes large rays and turtles.
Wreck Dives - HTMS Koot sunk as new Ship wreck in Pattaya bay Thailand
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Wreck Diving Thailand. Pattaya, Thailand has always been regarded as a great dive training ground due to the diversity of dive sites but now this has been sealed. September 17th 2006 at 10:30am the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) laid the HTMS Koot (Former USS LSM-333) to rest at 30 meters of depth off of Koh (island) Sak in Pattaya. The laying to rest was a further celebration of the King's 60th accession to the throne and to lay a second artificial diving reef in Pattaya. The HTMS is often incorrectly referred to as the RTN Koot. |
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The HTMS Koot is a de-commissioned warship now dilapidated beyond repair, has been in use for more than 60 years. It now lays just slightly North of Koh Sak in around 25 - 30 meters of water. These are ideal depths for Air, Enriched Air and Technical scuba diving. |
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The recent sinking allows dive operators in Pattaya to have a wreck that is nearer and more accessible than those laid so far. The Hardeep is a fantastic dive able wreck in Samersan (Hardeep Mooring Buoy Project). The HTMS Khram, an almost identical ship to the Koot was sunk by the Royal Thai Navy just off of Koh Phai in January 2003. The Khram is a wonderful dive but twice as far from the Pattaya Bali High pier than the new HTMS Koot. |
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Wreck Dives - HMS Khram
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The HTMS KHRAM (Former USS LSM-469) was sunk on 1 February 2003. It lies about 300 meters from Koh Phai in 30 meters of water. Depth to the top of the wreck is 15 meters; depth to sea bed 30 meters and visibility 5-15 meters. |
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The Khram has been well prepared by the Thai Navy as a dive site Large holes have been cut in many areas and penetration dives through the ships passageways rarely takes the diver out of natural light. For further information on the former USS LSM-469, please visit www.navsource.org |
HardDeep
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One of the most popular wreck sites is the Hardeep. It lies at approximately 90 - 100 feet (27 - 30 meters) depending on tide level. It is a very safe penetration dive due to the large open cargo holds. The historical story relates that Chanute dive-bombers during the WWII Japanese occupation sank it. |
Petchburi Bremen
Another wreck is the Petchburi Bremen, which lies in approximately (18-22 meters). A fire in the engine room buckled the side-plates and it sank slowly to the bottom, settling upright on it's keel. Unfortunately, Thai UDT teams used it for demolition practice causing considerable damage to it's hull, but it's still an interesting wreck dive. This wreck is rarely visited partly due to its location but mainly because of very strong currents. We will be organising trips to the Bremen area when the conditions are perfect. Normally we need zero current for the duration of the dive trip to make the day a safe and enjoyable one.
Other Information
There are several 600-year-old sunken Chinese wrecks in the area. Click on the map to see the locations. All are classified as national treasures so don't touch! Thai authorities are very strict on this matter and legal consequences are costly!
Visibility on all types of dives ranges between 20 - 100 feet (6 - 30 meters) depending on time of year, weather, sea conditions and currents (which are usually very mild). Pattaya is blessed with very good weather conditions, so we are able to dive throughout the year with very little interference from inclement weather.
Finally, the best aspect about diving in Pattaya is the convenience and its close proximity to Bangkok. It is the ideal choice to get certified if you are short on time. And it is a great place for the whole family. Pattaya has many on shore attractions that can suit your every need, from fantastic cabaret shows to elephant and monkey parks that the kids can enjoy. Not to mention the excellent restaurants and colorful night life. Most divers enjoy the diverse range of activities that can be found here to add to their vacations.
A new and very popular attraction is the jungle tree top tour called 'Flight of the Gibbon' about one hour away from Pattaya and an amazing day out for all the family.
Day Trip Prices
| Near Islands (Koh Lan, Koh Sok, Koh Khrok) | Baht 3,200 |
| Far Islands (Koh Phai, Koh Rin, Koh Man Wichai) | Baht 3,200 |
| Wreck Dives (Hardeep, HTMS Khram, HTMS Kood) | Baht 3,200 |
All trips consist of a minimum two single-tank dives, unless otherwise indicated, and include tanks, weights, food and refreshments, divemaster/instructor. We provide a pick up service from your hotel anywhere in the Pattaya area and return you at the end of the day.
Generally, trips can be arranged on a daily basis.
Snorkelers & Passengers
| Near Islands (Koh Lan, Koh Sak, Koh Khrok) | Baht 1,300 |
| Far Islands (Koh Phai, Koh Rin, Koh Man Wichai, Koh Klueng Badan) | Baht 1,300 |
All trips include snorkeling equipment, life jackets, food and refreshments.
