Diving in Koh Chang

Koh Chang sits at the far eastern end of the Gulf of Thailand, close to the Cambodian border, and is one of Thailand’s most beautiful and underappreciated islands. Its dive scene is growing steadily, anchored by one of the country’s most impressive wreck dives and a cluster of pristine reefs within the Koh Rang National Park.

HTMS Chang Wreck

The HTMS Chang is a 100-metre US Navy vessel decommissioned by the Royal Thai Navy and intentionally sunk in 2012 to create an artificial reef. Now resting at 14–30m, it has been colonised by hard and soft corals, sponges, and an extraordinary diversity of marine life. Giant moray eels, grouper, schools of batfish, and barracuda are permanent residents. The wreck is large enough to warrant multiple dives, and penetration of the bridge and engine room is possible for qualified divers.

Koh Rang National Park

The islands of the Koh Rang National Park — including Koh Rang itself, Koh Kra, and Koh Wai — offer pristine hard coral reefs with excellent coverage and a genuine feeling of wilderness. Because Koh Chang is less well-known on the international diving circuit, sites here are far less crowded than equivalent reefs around Phuket or Koh Tao.

Dive Conditions

• Best season: November–May
• Water temperature: 26–30°C
• Visibility: 10–20m
• Currents: Generally mild