Diving Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta, the main island of archipelago, has predominantly sandy beaches and shallow coral reefs suitable to snorkelling, to reach the more interesting dive sites it is necessary to use the boats. Numerous agencies and Scuba Diving Centres offer day trips by speedboat or multi-day diving cruises with living on board to enthusiastic scuba divers. The cost of a one day diving trip ranges from 3,500 to 5,500 THB, depends on the number of dives planned throughout the day, usually 2 or 3, and the selected sites. The majority of these tours include the transfer by minivan from your hotel, the roundtrip by dive boat from Saladan Pier or Kantiang Bay, tanks, weights and weight-belts, assistance by dive guides, lunch buffet, tropical fruit, drinking water, assistance by dive guides and insurance; are excluded personal diving gear, Nitrox and 900 THB for Marine Park fees. It is also possible hire the personal diving gear for about 1200 THB per day. Pick-up from hotel is normally at 07:30 - 08.00 a.m. The return is at 16.00, in the case of day trip which provides 2 dives, or at 18.00 in the case of 3 dives. Comfortable boats adapted for diving allow you to dive in these wonderful sites for several days with multiple daily diving. The multi-day cruises to the sites in Koh Lanta archipelago and Phi Phi Islands usually last two to four days, and provide 3 or 4 dives per day.

The costs depend on the chosen boat, by diving equipment and services on board, indicatively ranging from 5,500 to 6,500 THB per day per person. The diving cruises which reach the Similan and Surin Islands, in addition to the nearest sites, usually last five to seven days. Due to the distance the costs are a little higher, indicatively ranging from 6,500 to 8,500 THB per day per person. The costs of all cruises include the transfer by minivan to the piers, accommodation in cabins, tanks, weights and weight-belts, assistance by dive guides, insurance and all meals on board; are excluded personal diving gear, Nitrox and Marine Park fees, 900 THB for Mu Koh Lanta Park and 1,800 THB for Mu Koh Similan and Surin Parks. The dive cruises to the Similan and Surin Islands run from November through to May. The two National Parks are closed for the rest of the year.

Hin Daeng

Hin Daeng is a pinnacle that rises dramatically from a depth of about 70 metres and just breaks the sea surface. The majestic undersea mountain is one of the best dive spot in Thailand and in the world. The site is located about 50 Km south of Koh Lanta, about two hours and half by boat. The pinnacle is famous for its fantastic marine life and the abundance of colourful corals. Indeed Hin Daeng, which means 'Red Rock' in Thai language, derives its name from the vast number of red corals that are located nearest the sea surface. The topography of the site consists of a single awesome pinnacle covered with colourful and healthy corals with a lot of nooks, cracks and crevices. The site is world famous also for the great chance of spotting majestic Manta Rays and huge Whale Sharks. Apart from the two largest pelagic species, the marine life is excellent along the entire steep wall and in the surrounding waters. The hard and soft corals, anemones, sea fans and sponges are shelter or home for Anemonefish, Lionfish, Angelfish, Seahorses and lots of others reef fishes. In burrows and crevices they are hidden waiting for prey various types of moray eels. Most are Giant Moray Eels, but it’s also possible to see White-Eyed Eels, Honeycomb and Ribbon Eels. Around the pinnacle swim in hunting large shoals of pelagic fish like giant Trevally, Snappers, Barracuda and Tunas. In the deep waters can be seen Groupers, Leopard Sharks and occasionally Grey Reef Sharks. Hin Daeng is a deep dive site quite challenging also due its strong currents, all this make it suitable to advanced divers.Read More  

Hin Muang

Hin Muang is one of the best dive sites in the Mu Ko Lanta Marine Park. It's located just 500 from the most famous twin Hin Daeng. Unlike his twin, Hin Muang is a completely submerged pinnacle. It rises from a depth of over 70 metres and the top is about six meters below the sea surface. Its name means ‘Purple Rock’ in the local language, due it is partly covered with beautiful purple corals. The submerged mountain has corals, sea fans and anemones in excellent healthy condition and rich of marine life. As expected, given the proximity to Hin Daeng the marine species present here are the same, as well as the chances to spot the majestic Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. The current can be very strong here, making the dive site better suitable to experienced divers.Read More  

Koh Haa

Koh Haa is the dive site nearest to Koh Lanta, just 18 Km to southwest of main island of archipelago. The site is amazing and suitable to beginners and advanced divers, and even to snorkellers in its shallow areas. Koh Haa means five islands in Thai language, although in reality they are six. They are tiny granite islands very close to each other with a shallow central lagoon, which is ideal for diving courses and snorkelling lovers. The small group of rocky islands has several dive sites, all characterized by crystal clear waters and abundant marine life. Among these the best spots are The Lagoon, The Cathedral and The Chimney. The maximum depth in some sites reaches 35 meters, however most of them is characterized by shallow waters. The currents are normally moderate and the visibility is always excellent, usually more of 25 metres. All dive sites in Koh Haa are very close to the tiny granite islands and many are accessible directly from the shores. The sites offer to diver fantastic submerged pinnacles, drop-offs, caverns, interconnected chambers and scattered boulders with interesting swim-throughs to explore. The hard and soft corals, anemones and sea fans that covered reef walls are in excellent healthy condition. Koh Haa is teeming of marine life with a huge variety of fish and invertebrates. Here you can admire and photograph most of the marine species present in the Andaman Sea. Soft and hard coral provide food and shelter to Mantis and Harlequin Shrimps, Tigertail Seahorses, Nudibranches, Porcelain Crabs and many other crustaceans. Between anemones and sea fans swim many Clownfish and other reef fish, such as Parrotfish, Glass Fish and Ornate Ghost Pipefish. Octopuses are hidden among rocks and crevices, as well as many other predators like Lionfish, Scorpionfish and Moray Eels. In the surrounding waters swim Cuttlefish, Squid, Frogfish and Porcupine Pufferfish. Large schools of Snappers, Barracuda and Trevally constantly patrol the hunting areas looking bait fish. Marine life includes also large Green and Hawksbill Turtles, big Groupers and White Tip Reef Sharks. Manta Rays, Marble Rays, Eagle Rays and even majestic Whale Sharks although not usual frequenters of Koh Haa are occasionally spotted here. The Lagoon is one best dive spot in Koh Haa. It is located in Koh Haa Sam or Island # 3, the central islet of the group. The shallow crystal waters of the lagoon are a perfect starting point for beginners and fanatics of underwater photography. Directly from the sandy bay you can reach the nearby reef, which gently descends to up 25 meters allowing the beginners to get used gradually to the depth. The gentle coral reef is covered with large table corals and characterized by many caves and natural fireplaces. The Cathedral is a famous cave dive site located in Koh Haa Yai or Island # 5, the southernmost of the small archipelago. The site is characterized by a superb underwater cavern which has the appearance of a cathedral. The entrance of the cave is at about 20 metres deep. The largest cavern has three distinct chambers with limestone stalactites. The first two are connected by a swim-through at about 9 metres deep. Due the difficulty of entering into a deep cave with strong currents the site is suitable only for experienced divers. The Chimney is one of the most popular dive sites in the Koh Haa archipelago. It is located on the south side of Koh Haa Neung or Island # 1, the northernmost of the group. As well as the name suggests, the site is characterized by a cave with the entrance at about 5 metres deep. Unlike the more challenging The Cathedral, this site is suitable for all level of divers.Read More  

Koh Rok Nai & Koh Rok Nok

Koh Rok Nai and Koh Rok Nok are two twin islands separated by a narrow channel in the Koh Lanta archipelago. The islands are located about 30 Km south of Koh Lanta Yai, no more than 90 minutes with a diving boat. The twin islands are famous for being home to some of the best dive sites of Mu Ko Lanta Marine Park. The islands have similar shape and size. Mostly covered by lush tropical vegetation, they have small pristine white sandy beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters and a beautiful coral reef. The reef is covered with hard corals, barrel sponges, anemones and colourful sea fans in excellent condition, the 2004 Tsunami did not cause damage here as well as in the entire archipelago. The reef and surrounding waters are full of marine life, a true paradise for enthusiast divers. The maximum depth around the islands is about 20 metres with an average depth of 12 metres, and the current is usually mild. The shallow waters near the shore are also suitable for less experienced divers and even snorkellers. This spot is also often used for night diving. The crystal clear waters around the islands are very rich of marine life. Closer to the reef or hidden among the corals and anemones you'll see Turtles, Anemonefish, Angelfish, Butterflyfish, Eagle Rays and Moray Eels. There's also a huge variety of invertebrates, such as Nudibranches, Tigertail Seahorses, Lobsters, Cuttlefish, Squid, Shrimps, Crabs and giant Clams. In the surrounding waters there are Black Fin Sharks, Dogtooth Tuna, Trevally, Eagle Rays and Barracuda.Read More