Koh Lanta Diving
Koh Lanta, located in the Andaman Sea on the east-west coast of Thailand is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world. With an abundance of marine life, clear waters, and incredible dive sites, this island is one place every enthusiastic diver should explore. From colorful coral reefs to underwater rock formations, and interesting marine life such as sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks, Koh Lanta has something for everyone. Below, we will dive in to explore more about Koh Lanta dive sites, shops, and also when is the best time to visit the island.
Dive Sites around Koh Lanta
Hin Daeng (Red Rock) / Hin Muang (Purple Rock)
Level: intermediate to advanced
Get ready for a dive experience of a lifetime as you take the plunge amidst the stunning coral gardens of Koh Lanta. For true adventure seekers, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are ultimate destinations due to their depth of 5 to 40 meters and visibility ranging from 15 to 40 meters. To make it even better, these waters host diverse marine life like barracuda, tuna, batfish, and clown triggerfish one can sight whale sharks too!
Popularly known as the ‘Red Rock’ Hin Daeng teems with beautiful healthy soft corals tinted in various shades of red adding vibrancy to its underwater realm.
On the other hand, Hin Muang, or Purple Rock is famous for its soaring vertical walls bejeweled with colorful purple soft corals. Diving enthusiasts here may also be able to spot Grey reef sharks and leopard sharks; making this venture both thrilling and mesmerizing.
The optimal time to experience the beauty of these sites is between November and April when the surface conditions remain relatively stable and water temperature remains pleasant at 27-30°C; However, remember that currents can be strong here so intermediate to advanced level skills are required.
Koh Haa
Level: beginner to advanced
Ideal for all types of divers and snorkelers, from rookies to pros, this spot provides an awe-inspiring range of depths ranging from 5-30 meters. With up to 25 meters of average visibility, mild-medium currents, and the added bonus of being able to swim with whale sharks, barracuda, octopuses, turtles, and harlequin shrimp – how could you not fall in love? And what’s more special is that you can access Koh Lanta’s very own chimney ascent leading to the air pocket at the top of the cave. Come one, come all – explore nature’s incredible dive beauty today!
Koh Bida
Level: beginner to advanced
The two islands Bida Nok and Bida Yai have some of the most stunning underwater sites around! From 0-35 meters deep on Bida Nok and up to 30 meters deep on Bida Nai, this area is rife with glorious dives that cater to all levels. On top of that, you’ll get the pleasure of seeing some of the most majestic sea life such as black-tip reef sharks, soldier fish, parrotfish, ribbon eels, damselfish, butterfly fish, ornate ghost pipefish, leopard sharks – the list goes on!
But that’s not all; if snorkeling is more your speed then rest assured these two islands also offer endless beauty above water too. So if you ever find yourself in Koh Lanta feeling adventurous it’d be an absolute shame to miss out on this truly breathtaking diving experience on these two islands!
Koh Phi Phi
Level: beginner to advanced
The Koh Phi Phi archipelago is an ideal destination for divers of all levels, with its crystal-clear waters and abundance of marine life. Overhangs, swim-throughs, canyons, and gorges make the area a sight to behold, adorned further by Gorgonian sea fans, soft and hard corals, and anemones.
Not to mention the array of creatures that call this region home – shrimps, anemone crabs, bearded scorpionfish, and colorful lionfish. Turtles, blacktip reef sharks, stingrays, parrotfish, and pufferfish can also be spotted during your submergence.
When exploring Palong Bay or Viking Blue – where you’ll discover Table Coral City – don’t forget to keep a look out for nudibranchs! Thanks to depths ranging from 5 meters to 30 meters (or even more!), there’s something here for everyone looking for an unforgettable diving holiday experience!
King Cruiser Wreck
Level: advanced
King Cruiser Wreck is nothing short of awe-inspiring. This massive sunken boat was first placed on the sea floor on May 4th, 1997 in 30 meters of water. The 85-meter-long and 35-meter-wide wreckage still stands upright in a remarkable fashion, with the shallowest parts always reaching 18 meters. Even more striking are all the various inhabitants that can be encountered: soft corals growing along the sides, schools of bigeye trevally swimming above the cabin, an abundance of yellow snapper, and occasional sightings of zebra sharks, bamboo sharks, barracudas, and turtles. Truly a diver’s paradise!
BEST SNORKELING TRIPS FROM KOH LANTA
Koh Lanta Dive Shops
If you’re looking for a reliable company, we recommend Go Dive Lanta, a Koh Lanta-based dive center that offers unforgettable diving and snorkeling experiences.
Go Dive Lanta is a PADI 5-star dive center that caters to divers of all skill levels. The dive shop regularly visits popular diving spots such as Koh Haa, Koh Bida, Hin Daeng & Hin Muang, HTMS Klet Kaew Ship Wreck, and the Phi Phi Islands. What sets them apart is their two boat options: large and speedboat. The Comfy Big Boat is ideal for a leisurely full-day dive trip, while the speedy option is best suited for shorter dives that optimize the time you have on Koh Lanta.
The experienced and certified instructors at Go Dive Lanta are passionate about diving and take pride in ensuring that divers have a safe and unforgettable experience. They also speak many languages. The dive shop’s prices are inclusive of round transfers, breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, and dive equipment. When you go on a diving trip with Go Dive Lanta, everything is taken care of, making for an all-around stress-free experience.
The Open Water Diver Course costs THB 12,750. The course takes 3 days and includes theory sessions, a confined water dive, and up to 6 open water dives. At Go Dive Lanta, they use a step-by-step approach to teach diving, ensuring enough practice before heading to the open sea. The course is structured to allow first-time divers to explore the underwater world confidently.
Koh Lanta Diving Season
October and November: Slow Months
If you prefer diving in a quieter environment, then October and November are the best months to come to Koh Lanta. Although the dive sites are relatively empty, the weather condition may not be the best as Koh Lanta comes out of the monsoon season resulting in occasional rainfall. Nonetheless, if you want to avoid the crowd, this is the perfect time to go scuba diving in Koh Lanta.
December and January: Peak Season
The peak season in Koh Lanta happens during December and January caused of fair weather conditions. During this time, visitors flock to Koh Lanta from Krabi, Surat Thani, and other destinations resulting in busy dive sites. If you don’t mind a bit of a crowd, then December and January would be good times for you to explore the underwater world of Koh Lanta. Remember to book the dive trips in advance.
February to May: The Best Time to Come for Diving
If you want the perfect diving conditions, then February to May is the perfect time to visit Koh Lanta. The waters are calm, and the visibility is excellent. And in April, tourism slows down, resulting in quiet dive sites where you can enjoy diving without disturbance. In May, the crowd is starting to disappear, and the island returns to its peaceful environment.
June to September: Unpredictable Weather
The weather condition in Koh Lanta from June to September can be unpredictable, resulting in dive shops staying around Koh Ha and Koh Phi Phi rather than venturing out to Hin Muang and Hin Daeng. Also, if the weather is not ideal for diving, dive trips may get postponed until the next day.
Whale shark: if you wish to spot a whale shark, they usually visit dive sites from November to April.
