Diving in Koh Chang
The waters of Koh Chang and the surrounding islands have plenty of reefs and there are some great diving and snorkeling opportunities. Koh Chang diving is predominantly at reasonably shallow depths and most of the good reefs are at depths ranging from five to 25 meters. Visibility can get up to 30m but this varies depending upon weather conditions and time of year.
Diving in Koh Chang is possible all year round but the peak season is from October to May. While there are times when the monsoon’s rougher seas make it impossible to get to the dive sites or cause visibility issues, there are other times when the waters are quite quiet and perfect for diving. There is also the occasional turtle and if you’re really lucky you might be here for one of the sporadic whale shark visits.
Massive and staghorn corals are just a few of the several types of hard and soft corals that contribute to the formation of the region’s reefs. Divers should keep an eye out for triggerfish, grouper, blue-tipped rays, moray eels, and batfish when exploring these corals since they provide a habitat for a diverse population of tropical marine life.
🌊 BEST KOH CHANG DIVING TOURS
Diving in Koh Chang is a real treat for any diver. With its average sea temperature of 84°F/29 °C, even those without wet suits can dive into the crystal-clear waters and see its vibrant array of colors and life. From 5 to 15 meters of visibility, one can view clownfish hiding among the coral reefs or spot giant turtles gliding away.
Diving Spots in Koh Chang
There are a number of dive sites that are located in the sea to the west of Koh Chang. These dive sites offer decent diving at depths ranging from around five to eighteen meters. Among these are Koh Man Nok and Hin Sam Sao. Dive sites with deeper depths may be found off the coast of several islands and seamounts that are situated to the south of the archipelago.
Wreck diving in Koh Chang is an experience of a lifetime. One of the most thrilling dives one can have at Koh Chang is exploring its biggest wreck, the 100-meter-long HTMS Chang sunk by the Thai Navy in 2012. Its mast is around 12 meters below sea level, which makes it accessible to both experienced and novice divers alike whilst adding an extra touch of adventure to your dive!
With Thailand’s largest vessel resting below the ocean’s surface, there are plenty of sites to explore while discovering exotic marine life and vivid coral reefs. In addition to the wreck, divers can spend hours mesmerized by the school of barracuda, sting rays, and tuna that call these waters home, or admire some of the smaller critters such as eels and nudibranchs.
As an added bonus, those lucky ones may even get to see the whale shark – the world’s biggest fish – swimming around them. With over 30 sites waiting beneath the waves, Koh Chang treats adventurers with stunning beauty and unforgettable memories.
There is a large amount of thriving coral at Hin Luk Bat, in addition to some interesting swim-throughs. Deeper and rockier than other sites, Hin Raap is home to some beautiful soft corals. In addition, there are some excellent locations located off the coast of Koh Rang island. Dive into some amazing pinnacles and view some of the nicest corals in the region when you visit this island, which is a bit further out from Koh Chang than some of the other islands in the region. The trip is well worth it.
How to Book Your Diving
Booking a dive trip on Koh Chang is straightforward. You can visit the offices of one of the ten or so dive companies or enquire at your resort or travel agencies.
The price of a two-day Discover Scuba course is around 4,500 Thai Baht, while the price of a complete PADI certification is approximately 15,000 Thai Baht. These prices are only guidelines for what you may anticipate paying. Fun dives cost around 3,500 baht for two dives with lunch, a little more for the more remote sites.
Most of the dive companies stock diving equipment or alternatively Koh Chang Dive Supply is a large retailer of all kinds of diving gear. In addition to that, they have a comprehensive repair and maintenance workshop for all varieties of dive gear. Their office is located at Hat Kai Mook between White Sand Beach and Chai Chet.
Snorkeling in Koh Chang
On Koh Chang, the beaches themselves do not provide many opportunities for snorkeling; however, other nearby islands may be accessed by boat, and these other islands provide some great shallow reefs for snorkeling at their respective spots. Koh Chang beaches generally have sandy bottoms that don’t offer much for snorkellers but the rocky shorelines at Hat Kai Mook and Bang Bao Cliff Cottages offer good snorkeling opportunities.
Recommended Koh Chang Dive Shops
Chang Diving Centre: teaching since 2005, this acclaimed diving center is PADI five-star certified and offers small groups for a full range of fun dives and courses. It is conveniently located at Klong Prao Beach, in the heart of Koh Chang. They even offer swimming lessons for land lovers. Website: changdiving.com
BB Divers: A popular and reliable five-star Padi IDC Belgian diving school offering dive services year-round, BB has a solid reputation in Koh Chang with dedicated instructors. Working since 2003 in Koh Chang, they also operate a Cliff Cottage resort, with a pool, restaurant, and lounge. Website: bbdivers-koh-chang.com
Koh Chang Divers: located in the south of the island. If you’re looking for a unique and fun way to explore the world beneath the sea, a visit to Koh Chang Divers Dive Shop is just what you need. Professional and experienced certified instructors will ensure you get the most from your dive trip experience as they provide courses to obtain a PADI Open Water Diver certification in only three days! In addition to diving trips, relaxation, and snorkeling trips are also offered. Not only do their guides and Divemasters/Instructors lead groups of no more than four divers, but their services include pick up and drop off from resorts on Koh Chang itself. With several decades of service on the island itself, this professional scuba adventure company offers an unbeatable price of 15,500 Baht that’s worth every baht spent. Website: kohchangdive.com
