Diving in Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan sits in the northern Gulf of Thailand, just 12km south of Koh Tao and 15km north of Koh Samui. While its reputation is built on the world-famous Full Moon Party, the island’s dive scene is quietly excellent and far less crowded than its neighbour Koh Tao.

Sailing to Sail Rock

The island’s greatest asset for divers is its proximity to Sail Rock (Hin Bai). At around 1 hour by speedboat, Koh Phangan dive centres can get you to this towering underwater pinnacle faster than operators on Koh Samui, and often with smaller groups than the Koh Tao crowd. Sail Rock rises from 40m depth to just 10m below the surface, encrusted with soft corals and surrounded by enormous schools of batfish, barracuda, and trevally. The famous chimney, swum through at around 18–22m, is a highlight of any Gulf of Thailand dive trip.

Local Reefs

Koh Phangan has its own reef systems around the southern and eastern coasts. While not as spectacular as the major pinnacles, sites like Hin Ngam and the reefs around Koh Ma in the northwest offer solid beginner diving with good coral coverage and a relaxed atmosphere.

Dive Conditions

• Best season: April–October
• Water temperature: 27–30°C
• Visibility: 10–20m
• Currents: Gentle to moderate