Scuba Diving In Koh Chang
Explore Koh Chang's stunning scuba diving sites in the Gulf of Thailand with Giant Stride. Explore pristine reefs and historic wrecks. Start your adventure today!
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Scuba Diving in Koh Chang
Koh Chang Island, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is just a 5-hour drive from Bangkok and borders Cambodia. Koh Chang is also home to some of the top scuba diving sites in the country. The island’s unique location along the coastline shields it from strong winds, creating calm, clear waters ideal for divers of all levels.
Thanks to these stable conditions, Koh Chang’s underwater world thrives with beautiful marine life, including colorful coral reefs, tropical reef fish, and large schools of fish. A highlight for many divers is the famous WWII Chang shipwreck, a must-visit site when exploring the island and its waters.
Our guide uncovers Koh Chang’s top dive sites, introduces you to its fascinating marine life, and explains the best seasons to visit for an unforgettable diving adventure.
Diving Season in Koh Chang
The best time to go scuba diving in Koh Chang is from November to April. During this season, divers can enjoy calm seas, water temperatures between 27°C and 30°C, and visibility reaching up to 20 meters. While diving is possible year-round, these months provide the most ideal conditions for a comfortable and enjoyable underwater experience.
Top Dive Sites in Koh Chang
Koh Chang is home to some of Thailand’s most diverse and beautiful scuba diving sites. Here are the highlights:
HTMS Chang Wreck
The HTMS Chang is one of Thailand's largest shipwrecks and a must-visit for advanced divers. This former U.S. Navy vessel was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef, now teeming with marine life. Divers can explore its vast structure and encounter schools of fish such as batfish, barracuda, fusilier, yellowtail, and giant trevally. Its size and complexity make it an exciting challenge for wreck diving enthusiasts.
Koh Rang
Located within Koh Chang's marine park, Koh Rang benefits from protected waters that ensure excellent diving conditions. This site boasts crystal-clear waters, beautiful coral reefs, and a wide variety of marine species, including colorful soft corals, hard corals, and schools of reef fish. It’s a must-visit spot if you are into underwater photography and is great for taking both wide-angle and macro shots.
Koh Wai
Koh Wai is a tranquil diving experience, perfect for beginners and snorkelers. With shallow, clear waters and soft corals, it’s a safe and enjoyable introduction to diving. Marine life includes small to medium-sized creatures, reef fish, and even sea turtles, making it a delightful spot for exploration.
Secret Reef
Secret Reef, a hidden gem near Koh Chang, is popular among seasoned divers for its unspoiled beauty and rich marine biodiversity. The site features a variety of hard and soft corals, tropical fish, nudibranchs, and occasional pelagic species. With moderate depths and currents, it’s an excellent choice for intermediate divers looking for a peaceful and less crowded experience.
Koh Chang Diverse Marine Life
Whale shark
Blacktip reef shark
Eagle ray
Anemone fish
Box fish
Octopus
Shrimp
Sea anemone
Soft Coral
Hard Coral
Dolphins
Turtle
Barracuda
Butterflyfish
Lionfish
Parrot fish
Koh Chang Marine Life Sighting Calendar
HHigh chance
MMedium chance
LLow chance
-No sighting
 Whale shark | L | L | M | M | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L |
 Soft Coral | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
 Anemone fish | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
 Shrimp | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
 Sea anemone | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
 Lionfish | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
 Butterflyfish | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
The marine life in Koh Chang's waters is diverse and abundant. One of the most exciting sights is the occasional visit from whale sharks, the gentle giants of the sea. The local reefs are vibrant, filled with tropical reef fish, soft corals, sea fans, and anemones. Divers can also spot medium-sized marine creatures like rays, eels, and sea turtles. Large schools of fish are also one of the best highlights, moving in mesmerizing synchrony. Expect to see fusiliers, batfish, yellowtails, and barracudas as well.
Check out our calendar to know the optimal times to spot the exciting marine life on Koh Chang Island.
Koh Chang Diving Conditions
Recommended scuba diving level
Beginner and above
Water temperature27°C - 30°C
Underwater visibility5M - 25M
Underwater currentMild to Moderate
Depth15M - 30M
WeatherTemperature: 28°C - 35°C
Monsoon season: Jun - Oct
Underwater hazardDown current
- Water Temperature: Warm year-round for comfortable dives.
- Visibility: Best during the dry season, offering excellent underwater clarity.
- Currents: Range from mild to moderate, making it suitable for divers of all experience levels.
- Depth: Varies from shallow coral gardens for beginners to deeper wrecks for advanced divers.
- Weather: November to April provides ideal diving conditions, but Koh Chang remains a fantastic destination throughout the year.
- Hazards: Standard precautions for boat traffic and marine life interactions ensure a safe experience.
Ready to Book Your Underwater Adventure with Giant Stride?
Giant Stride is your trusted one-stop shop for booking and comparing scuba diving experiences in Thailand. Choose from reliable and trusted vendors, enjoy an easy booking process, and make secure payments with confidence. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, Giant Stride is your one-stop destination for unforgettable underwater adventures in Koh Chang!