Explore the three key dive areas in the Easter Seaboard of Thailand, each offering a unique underwater experience. From the bustling hub of Pattaya with its famous shipwrecks to the tranquil marine park of Samae San and the pristine reefs of Koh Chang in Trat Province, this guide will help you discover the perfect diving destination for your next adventure.

Chonburi Dive Sites

Pattaya, often referred to as Thailand's wreck diving capital, offers a diverse range of diving experiences just a short boat ride from the city. The dive sites are generally divided into two main areas: the Near Islands and the Far Islands, along with several famous shipwrecks.

• Pattaya Near Islands: These islands, including Koh Larn, Koh Sak, and Koh Khrok, are ideal for beginners and training dives due to their calm, sheltered waters. The sites feature vibrant coral reefs, abundant tropical fish, and a relaxed atmosphere.

• Pattaya Far Islands: For more experienced divers, the Far Islands like Koh Rin and Koh Phai offer deeper reefs, more diverse topography, and the chance to see larger marine life, including turtles. The protected marine reserve of Koh Phai boasts some of the healthiest reefs in the area.

• Wreck Diving: Pattaya is home to a number of fascinating shipwrecks, including the HTMS Khram and the HTMS Kut, which were intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs. These wrecks are now teeming with marine life, such as barracudas, groupers, and sea turtles, offering an adventurous dive for certified divers.

Samae San Marine Park

Located near Sattahip, Samae San Marine Park is managed by the Thai Navy, which has helped preserve its pristine underwater environment. The area is known for its excellent visibility, untouched coral gardens, and a quieter, more natural diving experience.

• Reef Diving: The park's islands, such as Koh Chuang, Koh Ron Kon, and Koh Chan, feature a variety of beautiful reef dives. Sites like "Japanese Gardens" are suitable for all levels and showcase stunning rock formations and diverse marine life, while others like "Shark Fin Rock" offer more challenging conditions with strong currents and the potential to spot pelagic species.

• Wreck Diving: The standout wreck in Samae San is the Hardeep Wreck, a historical World War II freighter. This site is a must-dive for advanced divers, as it is a genuine war wreck and a rich ecosystem for a wide array of marine life, including nudibranchs, scorpionfish, and large schools of batfish and trevally.

Trat Dive Sites

Diving in Trat Province is centered around the islands of the Mu Ko Chang National Park, particularly Koh Chang and the nearby Koh Rang archipelago. The dive sites are known for their vibrant coral reefs, calm waters, and spectacular wreck diving opportunities.

• Koh Chang Local Sites: Sites like Hin Luk Bat and Hin Raab are great for both beginners and experienced divers, offering diverse underwater formations and an abundance of reef fish. "Blueberry Hill" is a favorite for macro photographers due to its wealth of nudibranchs.

• Koh Rang National Park: This protected marine park offers some of the best visibility and most pristine reefs in the area, with beautiful, shallow reef dives perfect for training and snorkeling. Sites like Hin Ga Daeng are deeper pinnacles for more advanced divers.

• Wreck Diving: Trat is a top destination for wreck diving, featuring the HTMS Chang Wreck, Thailand's largest shipwreck. Sunk in 2012 to create an artificial reef, it now hosts a huge variety of marine life and is a must-dive site for wreck enthusiasts. The T11 is a small wreck broken in the middle. The bow and stern are still standing on he sandy bottom. The stern allow small penetration to see the rudder room and the bathroom.