Pattaya offers a diverse range of dive sites suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced divers. The sites are generally divided into three main areas: the Near Islands and the Far Islands. Pattaya is also known as a prime location for wreck diving in Thailand.

Pattaya Near Islands

These islands are a short boat ride from Pattaya Beach, making them ideal for training, relaxed fun dives, and year-round diving due to their sheltered location.

• Koh Larn (Coral Island): The largest and most popular of the near islands. It features multiple dive sites with coral reefs and a variety of tropical fish. It's great for new divers and those wanting to practice their skills. A notable site is "The Rings," where six large concrete rings have become a thriving artificial reef.

• Koh Sak: A horseshoe-shaped island known for its calm, shallow waters, which are perfect for underwater photography and novice divers. It's a great place to see sea turtles and is a popular site for muck diving to spot macro life like seahorses and nudibranchs.

• Koh Khrok: A quieter spot with hidden coral gardens and macro life. It's a peaceful alternative for divers seeking a less crowded experience.

Pattaya Far Islands

Located further out, these sites offer clearer water, deeper profiles, and more vibrant marine life, appealing to more experienced divers.

• Koh Rin: Considered one of the best dive sites in the area. It features deep reefs, pinnacles, and a chance to spot larger pelagic species. It has several distinct dive areas, including North Rock for drift diving and South Rock with its rich soft and hard corals.

• Koh Phai (Bamboo Island): A protected marine reserve with healthy reefs and coral gardens. The famous HTMS Khram wreck is located here.

• Koh Manwichai: Offers both shallow and deeper dive options, with schooling fish, soft corals, and artificial reef structures.

Wreck Diving

Pattaya is considered the wreck diving capital of Thailand, with several vessels intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs. Advanced certification is often required for these dives.

• HTMS Mattaphon: A former WWII-era Landing Craft Tank that was intentionally sunk in 2012 near Koh Larn. It rests upright in about 23 meters of water, with its deck at around 15-18 meters, making it a popular site for both Open Water and Advanced divers. The wreck is a thriving artificial reef, home to a variety of fish and macro life like seahorses.

• HTMS Khram: A former Royal Thai Navy vessel, intentionally sunk in 2001. It is a large wreck that is now a massive underwater ecosystem, suitable for advanced divers.

• HTMS Kut: Another former Thai Navy vessel, sunk in 2006. It has become a haven for marine life, including barracudas and groupers.

Marine Life and Conditions

• Marine Life: Divers can expect to see a wide variety of marine life, including hawksbill sea turtles, bamboo sharks, moray eels, lion fish, barracuda, stingrays, and an abundance of tropical reef fish. Nudibranchs and other macro life are also common.

• Visibility: Visibility can vary but generally ranges from 5 to 10 meters. During the peak season (November to April), visibility is often better and can exceed 10 meters.

• Currents: Currents are generally mild to moderate, but some sites, particularly in the Far Islands and the HTMS Kud, can experience stronger currents, making them suitable for advanced divers.

• Dive Season: Unlike some other parts of Thailand, Pattaya offers year-round diving, as the Gulf of Thailand is more sheltered from monsoon winds. The best time for diving is from November to April when the weather is drier and seas are calmer.