In this complete guide to diving in Koh Lanta, we’ll cover everything you need to know to plan your next diving adventure.
Why Should You Consider Diving in Koh Lanta?
If you’re a diving enthusiast, then Koh Lanta is the perfect destination for you.
With its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and a wide variety of marine creatures, Koh Lanta offers some of the best diving experiences in Thailand.
Although the dive spots in Koh Lanta are farther away, they are quite spectacular, and the island is less crowded than Koh Tao.
Whale sharks, manta rays, and even leopard sharks are among the larger oceanic species they have to offer.
The reefs are also in excellent shape, with many enormous schools of fish and gorgeous, healthy corals.
Best Time for Diving in Koh Lanta
The dry season, which runs from November to April, is the ideal diving season in Koh Lanta. During this time, the water is clear and calm, providing excellent visibility for divers.
The average water temperature ranges between 27-30°C, making it a comfortable experience for divers. Additionally, there is very little rainfall during this period, so the water is not murky or affected by sedimentation.
If you’re fortunate, you can witness visibility of up to 30 m during the dry season.
However, it’s important to note that diving conditions can vary depending on the specific dive site, and it’s always best to check with local dive operators before heading out.
Additionally, following all safety protocols and guidelines when diving is essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Koh Lanta Dive Sites You Must Check Out
Here are some of the best diving sites in Koh Lanta:
1. Hin Daeng & Hin Muang
Hin Daeng & Hin Muang are the most popular diving sites in Koh Lanta.
It is located in the open sea and is known for its steep walls and significant marine life, including manta rays, whale sharks, and leopard sharks.
These two sites are known for their dramatic underwater landscapes, stunning coral formations, and diverse marine life.
Hin Daeng, which translates to “Red Rock,” is a primarily submerged pinnacle that rises up from the sea floor to just below the surface.
It is known for its steep walls, which drop off to depths of up to 60 meters, and its vibrant coral gardens, home to a diverse range of marine life.
Hin Daeng is also famous for encountering larger marine animals such as manta rays, whale sharks, and leopard sharks.
Hin Muang, which translates to “Purple Rock,” is located just a few hundred meters from Hin Daeng and is named for the purple hue on the rocks at certain times of the year.
Hin Muang is a similar underwater pinnacle to Hin Daeng, but its walls are even steeper, with depths of up to 80 meters.
It is known for its abundant soft coral, which covers the walls and creates a breathtaking underwater landscape.
2. Koh Ha Dive
Koh Ha is a popular dive site about 20 kilometers west of Koh Lanta in the Andaman Sea.
It is a group of five small islands surrounded by crystal-clear waters, making it an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling.
The underwater landscape is breathtaking, with coral gardens, deep drop-offs, and diverse marine life, making it a favorite among all divers.
At Koh Ha Dive site, divers can explore a variety of underwater terrain, including sloping reefs, swim-throughs, and caverns.
The site is home to diverse marine life, including colorful reef fish, moray eels, octopuses, barracudas, and even leopard sharks.
One of the most popular diving experiences at Koh Ha is exploring the underwater caverns, where divers can see beautiful stalactites and swim through tight tunnels.
The water visibility at Koh Ha is excellent, often exceeding 30 meters, and the water temperature ranges from 27 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Due to the site’s location in a protected marine park, the water is usually calm and free from strong currents, making it an ideal destination for beginners and experienced divers alike.
3. Kled Keow Wreck
Kled Keow Wreck diving site is located off the coast of Koh Lanta in the Andaman Sea. This dive site is known for its unique underwater scenery and abundant marine life.
The Kled Keow Wreck is a former fishing trawler that was intentionally sunk in 2014 to create an artificial reef, providing a home for a diverse range of aquatic species.
Divers can expect to see a variety of colorful fish species, such as lionfish, barracuda, and groupers swimming around the wreck.
In addition, numerous soft and hard corals are growing on the ship, adding to the vibrant and eye-catching scenery.
The depth of the dive site ranges from 12 to 18 meters, making it suitable for novice and experienced divers.
Due to the location of the Kled Keow Wreck, the visibility can vary depending on weather conditions. However, on a clear day, divers can enjoy excellent visibility of up to 20 meters.
Overall, Kled Keow Wreck is a must-visit for diving enthusiasts visiting Koh Lanta, providing an unforgettable experience to explore the underwater world of the Andaman Sea.
4. Koh Rok
Koh Rok is a small group of islands located around 30 kilometers south of Koh Lanta, Thailand.
This remote and stunningly beautiful location is a popular destination for scuba divers and snorkelers, offering some of the best diving experiences in the region.
The diving site at Koh Rok features crystal-clear waters with excellent visibility, abundant marine life, and a range of dive sites suitable for beginners and experienced divers.
The marine life in the area includes a variety of tropical fish, reef sharks, barracudas, turtles, and even occasional sightings of whale sharks. The corals at Koh Rok are also diverse, with an array of hard and soft corals, sea fans, and sea whips.
Overall, the Koh Rok diving site is a must-visit destination for diving enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable experience in the waters surrounding Koh Lanta.
5. Bida Nok
Bida Nok is one of Koh Lanta, Thailand’s most popular dive sites.
It is located south of Koh Phi Phi Leh and is part of the Phi Phi Islands Marine National Park. The site is accessible by boat, and the journey takes approximately 45 minutes from Koh Lanta.
Bida Nok is known for its stunning underwater landscape, teeming with various marine life. The site features two different dive sites, the west and east sides.
The west side offers a steep wall that drops to a depth of around 30 meters, allowing divers to explore the deep underwater world.
The wall is covered in colorful soft corals and sea fans, which create a beautiful backdrop for the divers.
The east side of Bida Nok is shallower and offers a sloping reef, perfect for beginner divers. The reef is home to various small marine creatures, including nudibranchs, pipefish, and sea horses.
Divers can also encounter larger marine life, such as barracuda, tuna, and reef sharks. Visibility at Bida Nok is typically excellent, with clear water that allows divers to see up to 25 meters.
The warm water temperature ranges from 26-30 degrees Celsius, making it a comfortable dive site for divers of all levels.
6. Hin Bida
Hin Bida is a popular diving site located off the coast of Koh Lanta in Thailand. It is a group of four limestone rocks that rise from the sea bed, with depths ranging from 8 to 20 meters.
The diving conditions at Hin Bida are generally good, with visibility often reaching up to 20 meters (66 feet).
The waters are usually calm, making it an ideal spot for novice and experienced divers.
One of the highlights of diving at Hin Bida is the abundance of marine life. Divers can expect to see various tropical fish, such as angelfish, barracuda, parrotfish, and moray eels.
The rocks are also teeming with colorful corals, sea anemones, and other invertebrates.
Another notable feature of Hin Bida is the presence of larger marine animals, such as leopard sharks and turtles.
These gentle giants can often be seen swimming around the rocks, providing a unique and memorable experience for divers.
In terms of the diving experience, Hin Bida offers something for everyone. There are several different dive sites around the rocks, each with unique topography and marine life.
Divers can explore shallow coral gardens, navigate through narrow channels, or descend into deeper areas to encounter larger creatures.
7. Koh Bida Nai
It is a small rocky outcrop just a few hundred meters from its sister island, Koh Bida Nok.
The site offers a diverse range of marine life, from schools of fish to smaller creatures like nudibranchs and sea horses.
The diving depth at Koh Bida Nai ranges from 5 to 25 meters, with the most popular dive is a wall dive that drops to around 20 meters.
This wall is covered in colorful soft corals, sponges, and sea fans, making it a beautiful sight.
Divers can also spot various reef fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, and larger pelagic species like barracuda and reef sharks.
Koh Bida Nai is a great site for macro photography as well. Divers can spot various species of nudibranchs, sea horses, and octopuses hiding in the crevices and coral heads.
The site also has a small cavern that more experienced divers can explore.
Best Diving Schools in Koh Lanta
Some of the best diving schools in Koh Lanta are:
1. Phoenix Divers
Established in 2002, Phoenix Divers Koh Lanta is one of the oldest and most trusted diving schools in Koh Lanta.
The school pride itself in having gathered trainers from diving worldwide: Maldives, Mexico, Red Sea, Philippines, French Polynesia, Italy, and, of course, Thailand.
Therefore you can go right in starting your first-time scuba from Koh Lanta: the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience.
They take great pride in being one of the few, if not the only, PADI and AIDA Apnea Centers on the island of Lanta, providing courses from beginner to instructor level.
Apnea is becoming more and more common throughout the globe, including in Thailand.
Sites for freediving in Koh Lanta provide safe and challenging practice circumstances.
Here, with Phoenix Divers, you can dive free in the swimming pool, on the shoreline, or without restriction along the fantastic corals.
Address: Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District, Krabi 81150, Thailand
Phone: +66 99 232 5319
2. Go Dive Lanta
Go Dive Lanta is another popular diving school in Koh Lanta that offers PADI courses, fun dives, and snorkeling trips.
The school offers a range of scuba diving courses and programs for all levels, from beginners to experienced divers looking to advance their skills.
The school is located in a beautiful setting, just a short walk from the beach, and is equipped with modern facilities and top-quality diving equipment.
The instructors at Go Dive Lanta are highly experienced and certified and are known for their friendly and patient teaching style.
The courses offered by Go Dive Lanta include Discover Scuba Diving for beginners, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster courses.
The school also offers a variety of specialty courses, including underwater photography, wreck diving, and night diving.
In addition to its diving courses, Go Dive Lanta also offers daily dive trips to some of the best dive sites around Koh Lanta and the nearby islands. They have their dive boat.
These dive trips are led by experienced dive guides familiar with the local marine life and can help divers get the most out of their dives.
Address: 1, Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District, Chang Wat Krabi 81150, Thailand
Phone: +66 81 892 8321
3. Dive and Relax
Dive and Relax is a PADI 5-star diving school in Koh Lanta, offering beginner and advanced divers courses.
They have a team of experienced instructors who provide personalized training in small groups. Dive and Relax also offer fun dives and snorkeling trips to some of the best diving sites in Koh Lanta.
Address: 223, Phra Ae, Ko Lanta District, Chang Wat Krabi 81150, Thailand
Phone: +66 89 050 3009
4. Scubafish
Scubafish is a well-known diving school in Koh Lanta, offering PADI courses for all levels of divers.
It is known for providing high-quality training and diving experiences to students of all levels.
The school is run by a team of experienced and multilingual instructors passionate about diving and committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for their students.
Scubafish offers a range of courses, from beginner to advanced levels, all certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).
They also offer courses in specialties such as underwater photography and videography, wreck diving, and deep diving.
One of the unique features of Scubafish is its commitment to small-group diving.
They limit the number of divers per instructor to ensure a more personalized and safe experience. They also have their boat and provide transportation to and from the dive sites.
Scubafish has a strong focus on environmental conservation and sustainable tourism. They organize regular beach and reef cleanups and offer eco-friendly dive equipment.
Scubafish also offers fun dives and snorkeling trips to some of the best diving sites in Koh Lanta.
Address: 152-152/1 Moo 5, Kantiang Bay, Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Lanta District, Krabi 81150, Thailand
Phone: +66 83 175 3077
5. Lanta Diver
Lanta Diver is a PADI 5-star diving school in Koh Lanta, offering beginner and advanced divers courses.
They have a team of experienced instructors who provide personalized training in small groups. Lanta Diver also offers fun dives and snorkeling trips to some of the best diving sites in Koh Lanta.
Address: 259 2, Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District, Krabi 81150, Thailand
Phone: +66 87 891 4141
6. Blue Planet Divers
Blue Planet Divers is a PADI 5-star diving school in Koh Lanta, offering beginner and advanced divers courses.
They have a team of experienced instructors who provide personalized training in small groups. Blue Planet Divers also offers fun dives and snorkeling trips to some of the best diving sites in Koh Lanta.
Address: 150/1 Moo Ban, Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District, 81150, Thailand
Phone: +66 85 472 3450
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, diving in Koh Lanta is an unforgettable experience that allows one to explore some of the world’s most stunning underwater landscapes.
With crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and excellent dive sites, Koh Lanta is a must-visit destination for any diving enthusiast. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, Koh Lanta has something for everyone.
From wrecks and walls to reefs and caves, you can experience various underwater adventures. So, if you are looking for a unique and exhilarating diving experience, add Koh Lanta to your bucket list.
