Marine Life of Thailand

Balaenoptera edeni

One of the rarest and most spectacular encounters in the Gulf of Thailand — a baleen whale up to 14 metres long. Bryde's whales are occasionally sighted at the surface near Chumphon Pinnacle, drawn by the same plankton and baitfish aggregations that attract whale sharks.

Eretmochelys imbricata

The hawksbill turtle is the most commonly encountered turtle in Thai waters, recognisable by its distinctive pointed beak and beautiful shell patterning. Encounters at Koh Tao, the Similans, and Koh Bida are among the most treasured moments in Thai diving.

Stegostoma tigrinum

One of Thailand's most iconic marine creatures — a strikingly patterned, completely harmless benthic shark that rests motionless on sandy bottoms. A guaranteed highlight at numerous sites across both the Gulf and Andaman.

Mobula birostris / Mobula alfredi

Oceanic and reef manta rays are among the ocean's most graceful creatures. Thailand hosts both species, with Hin Daeng and Hin Muang near Koh Lanta being the most reliable manta sites in the country.

Order Nudibranchia

Nudibranchs — shell-less sea slugs — are the jewels of the reef macro world. Thailand hosts hundreds of species in extraordinary colours, making them a favourite subject for underwater photographers and a highlight of any dive for those who look closely.

Istiophorus platypterus

The fastest fish in the ocean — a spectacular, iridescent predator occasionally encountered in open water near Chumphon Pinnacle. Sailfish hunting baitballs in the Gulf of Thailand is one of the most dramatic wildlife encounters in Southeast Asian diving.

Rhincodon typus

The world's largest fish — up to 12 metres long and utterly harmless, filtering plankton through gills the size of a door. An encounter with a whale shark is the bucket-list moment of diving in Thailand.