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    2. Snorkeling & diving

    Underwater guide

    Snorkeling and diving in Thailand

    From a reef within swimming distance of the beach to a wreck at thirty metres: 27 spots in the Gulf of Thailand, the Andaman Sea and around Koh Chang, each with how to get there, when to go and what is and is not allowed right now.

    • 27spots
    • 10from the beach
    • 8dive sites

    📍 On the mapAll spots by area

    Drawing of a snorkeler with fish, coral and a small boat

    How to use this guide

    Filter by how you reach the reef, by snorkeling or diving, by sea or by month (picking a month shows the main season and the months when it is also possible). The "🏖️ Snorkel from the beach" filter shows the spots where you can get into the water without a boat.

    Animals we mention are possible sightings, not a guarantee. Rules at parks and reefs can change quickly; every spot shows when we last checked access and where that information comes from.

    What does the access type mean?

    • 🏖️ Snorkel from the beachYou swim to the reef without an extra boat. That can still take some distance, enough water depth and swimming skills.
    • 🪨 From the shore or rocksNo boat needed, but not always an easy entry over sand.
    • ⛵ Boat to the island firstYou need a boat transfer; after that you can often snorkel from the beach.
    • 🚤 Boat snorkelingA trip to a reef, usually entering the water from the boat.
    • 🤿 Dive siteMainly for scuba diving; not automatically suitable for snorkelers.
    • ⚠️ Restricted or uncertain accessDo not assume you can freely snorkel here right now; check first whether it is allowed (again).

    Current access and restrictions

    What we found on 25 October 2026. A park page does not always cover every individual spot: check with the park or your operator.

    All spots on the map

    🏖️ Snorkel from the beach🪨 From the shore or rocks⛵ Boat to the island first🚤 Boat snorkeling🤿 Dive site⚠️ Restricted or uncertain access

    Pinch to zoom; tap a point for more info. Open circles: approximate location.

    All spots by area

    No spots found with these filters.

    Koh Tao Surat Thani · 7 spots

    Photo: Mmarkin
    🪨 From the shore or rocks🐠 Snorkeling🤿 Diving⭐ Top pick from the beach

    Hin Wong Bay

    Granite rocks, coral and large schools of fish.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Photo: yeowatzup
    🤿 Dive site🤿 Diving

    Chumphon Pinnacle

    Rocks covered in anemones, schools of fish, groupers and moray eels.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Koh Phangan and Sail Rock Surat Thani · 2 spots

    Photo: Christophe95
    🏖️ Snorkel from the beach🐠 Snorkeling⭐ Top pick from the beach

    Mae Haad and Koh Ma

    Coral and reef fish.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Phuket and Racha Yai Phuket · 4 spots

    🏖️ Snorkel from the beach🐠 Snorkeling🤿 Diving⭐ Top pick from the beach

    Merlin Beach

    Many different fish and coral.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Photo: Christophe95
    🏖️ Snorkel from the beach🐠 Snorkeling

    Ya Nui Beach

    Reef fish and some coral in places; good for a short session on Phuket.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Photo: ELPHUKET
    ⛵ Boat to the island first🐠 Snorkeling🤿 Diving

    Racha Yai

    Batok, Siam, Ter and Kon Kare each have their own conditions.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    ⚠️ Restricted or uncertain access🐠 Snorkeling🤿 Diving⚠️ Note

    Ao Sane

    Rocky bay with fish, coral and small marine life.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Similan, Surin and Khao Lak Phang Nga · 4 spots

    Photo: Sgroey
    🚤 Boat snorkeling🐠 Snorkeling🤿 Diving⚠️ Note

    Similan Islands

    Granite underwater landscape, reef fish and a chance of turtles.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Photo: Mr.CMBurns
    🤿 Dive site🤿 Diving⚠️ Note

    Richelieu Rock

    Soft corals, schools of fish and small marine life.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Phi Phi Krabi · 1 spot

    Photo: Christophe95
    🤿 Dive site🤿 Diving

    Koh Bida Nok

    Limestone walls, coral slopes, schools of snapper and a chance of turtles or reef sharks.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Koh Lanta and the Trang islands Krabi · Trang · 5 spots

    Photo: Siamways
    🏖️ Snorkel from the beach🐠 Snorkeling

    Koh Ngai (Koh Hai)

    Coral blocks and a variety of reef fish.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Photo: dronepicr
    🚤 Boat snorkeling🐠 Snorkeling🤿 Diving⚠️ Note

    Koh Rok

    Shallow reefs, anemonefish, parrotfish and other reef fish.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Photo: Lakshmi Sawitri
    🚤 Boat snorkeling🐠 Snorkeling🤿 Diving

    Koh Haa Lagoon

    Coral blocks, schools of fish and a shallow lagoon area; nice for mixed groups of snorkelers and divers.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Photo: portioid
    🤿 Dive site🤿 Diving

    Hin Daeng and Hin Muang

    Red and purple soft corals, steep walls and a chance of large marine life.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Koh Lipe Satun · 2 spots

    🏖️ Snorkel from the beach🐠 Snorkeling⭐ Top pick from the beach

    Sunrise Beach (Koh Lipe)

    Anemonefish, anemones, giant clams and coral patches.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    🤿 Dive site🤿 Diving

    Stonehenge (Koh Lipe)

    Rock formations with colourful soft corals, schools of fish and small marine life.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Koh Chang and Trat Trat · 2 spots

    Photo: kallerna
    🚤 Boat snorkeling🐠 Snorkeling🤿 Diving⚠️ Note

    Koh Rang island group

    Coral gardens and schools of fish.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Photo: Varakorn Kuldilok
    🤿 Dive site🤿 Diving

    HTMS Chang wreck

    A shipwreck about 100 metres long that has become an artificial reef; lots of fish.

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Seasons by sea

    Gulf of Thailand

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Main seasonPossibleOff season

    Koh Tao and Koh Phangan: February–May is a strong general starting point. Suitable conditions can also occur in summer; pick the sheltered side of the island on the day itself. Later in the year the Gulf rainy season can have more influence.

    Source: visitkohtao.org, outthailand.com

    Andaman Sea

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Main seasonPossibleOff season

    Andaman Sea: roughly November–April, when the sea is calm more often. Check local weather, tides and park opening separately; the annual park opening and restrictions on individual reefs are two different things.

    Source: outthailand.com

    East coast (Trat)

    1. J
    2. F
    3. M
    4. A
    5. M
    6. J
    7. J
    8. A
    9. S
    10. O
    11. N
    12. D

    Main seasonPossibleOff season

    Eastern islands (Trat, Koh Chang): the local operator names roughly October–May as the main season. Check the individual stops and park rules separately; not every stop is automatically open.

    Source: bbdivers.com

    How to snorkel and dive responsibly

    • Animals mentioned are possible sightings, never guarantees.
    • Coral quality can differ within a bay and change through bleaching or other damage. Older photos do not prove how healthy a reef is today.
    • Visibility, waves, current, tide and boat traffic decide whether a spot is suitable at that moment.
    • Do not simply swim from a bay to rocks or islets further out. A reef that looks close on the map is no proof that the crossing is safe.
    • Do not stand on coral, do not touch animals and do not feed fish.
    • Match dive depth and route to your certification, your experience and the local briefing. The maximum depth of the terrain is not a recommended dive depth.
    • Do not use passages, caves or wreck interiors without suitable training.
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