Skip to content
First Time Thailand
Home / Things to Do / Diving & Snorkeling
Under the surface

Diving & Snorkeling in Thailand

Where to get in the water on a first trip, from easy snorkel spots to world-class dive sites, and when to go.

Snorkeler over a bright coral reef in clear turquoise water
Snorkeler over a bright coral reef in clear turquoise water Yansen Ada’ (Pexels)
Belle
Thai American who travels to Thailand every other year
Where to dive

From First Breaths to Big Blue

Koh Tao

Learn to dive

One of the cheapest, easiest places on earth to get certified, with calm bays and dozens of schools.

Similan Islands

World-class reefs

Liveaboards from Khao Lak reach the Similans and Surins, open roughly mid-Oct to mid-May. Bucket-list stuff.

Andaman vs Gulf

Pick your season

Andaman (Phuket, Krabi, Similans) is best Nov–Apr; the Gulf (Koh Tao, Samui) dives well much of the year.

Good to know

Before You Get Wet

No experience?

Start with snorkeling

Pileh Lagoon, the Phi Phi reefs, and Koh Tao’s bays are gentle intros, and many day tours include gear. Maya Bay itself is wading only, with no swimming or snorkeling.

Reef-safe only

Protect the coral

Sunscreens with oxybenzone or octinoxate are banned in national parks, with steep fines. Bring reef-safe.

Costs & courses

What to budget

An Open Water course on Koh Tao takes 3 to 4 days and costs less than almost anywhere else; single fun dives and snorkel day trips are cheaper still.

Timing:For the Andaman coast and the Similans, aim for December to April, when seas are calmest and visibility is best.
Keep reading

More First-Timer Guides

Before You Fly

Visas & Entry

The TDAC card, visa-free rules, and what to have ready at immigration.

Sort your entry →
Out of Town

Bangkok Day Trips

Nine easy escapes, from Ayutthaya’s ruins to floating markets.

Plan a day trip →
The Coasts

Islands & Beaches

Two coasts, opposite seasons: how to choose between Andaman and Gulf.

Find your island →
About this guide

Written by Belle, a Thai American who travels to Thailand every other year and has family in Bangkok. Everything here comes from my own visits unless the text says otherwise. Prices and journey times are typical cases rather than quotes, so recheck anything time-sensitive before you pay. Brand mentions are never paid placements, and the guide is reader-supported: some links may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

How we research →