Dive Koh Lanta National Parks

Koh Lanta is perfectly located close to many of Thailand's best dive sites, including the 6 coral-fringed Koh Haa islands, the beautiful diving paradise at Koh Rok, and the two deeper dive sites at Hin Daeng & Hin Muang...

Koh Lanta National Park is a protected area located on the southern tip of Koh Lanta Island in the Krabi Province of Thailand. It covers an area of 134 square kilometers and was established in 1990 to preserve the natural beauty of the island and its surrounding marine environment.
The park features a diverse range of ecosystems, including pristine beaches, dense forests, and coral reefs. Visitors can explore the park by hiking through the jungle, snorkeling or scuba diving in the clear waters, or simply relaxing on one of the many secluded beaches.

Here are some of the best dive sites to explore in the area:

Hin Daeng
Type of dive: pinnacle, wall dive, coral garden
Depth: 5 meters / Maximum 50 meters
Visibility: 15 - 30 meters
Difficulty: Advanced
Currents: Moderate to strong
Marine life: +++
Lens recommendation: Wide-angle and Macro
Overall note: ★★★★★

Hin Daeng, means "Red Rock" in Thai, the site is made up of two submerged pinnacles, with the larger of the two reaching a depth of approximately 60 meters. The rock formations are covered in colorful soft corals and sea fans, providing a stunning backdrop for divers.
Hin Daeng is known as one of the best dive sites in the area due to its vibrant marine life, clear waters, and dramatic underwater landscapes. The visibility at Hin Daeng is typically excellent, with crystal-clear waters offering visibility of up to 30 meters or more. However, due to strong currents, it is recommended that only experienced divers visit this site.

Hin Daeng school of trevallies

Marine life

Divers at Hin Daeng can expect to see a diverse range of marine life, including schools of barracuda, trevally, and tuna. Reef sharks, including blacktip, whitetip, and leopard sharks, are also commonly seen at the site. In addition, there are opportunities to spot larger creatures such as manta rays and whale sharks, especially during the peak season from December to April.
Hin Daeng is also home to an abundance of colorful reef fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish. Macro enthusiasts can spot a variety of invertebrates such as nudibranchs, and there are also opportunities to see octopus, cuttlefish, and other cephalopods.

Blacktip Shark Hin Daeng

Hin Muang

Type of dive: pinnacle, wall dive, coral garden
Depth: 8 meters / Maximum 60 meters
Visibility: 15 - 30 meters
Difficulty: Advanced
Currents: Moderate to strong
Marine life: +++
Lens recommendation: Wide-angle and Macro
Overall note: ★★★★★

Hin Muang, means "Purple Rock" in Thai, just a few meters southeast of Hin Daeng. The site is a single-submerged pinnacle that rises from the sea floor to just a few meters below the surface, with the tip of the pinnacle reaching a depth of approximately 8 meters.
The visibility at Hin Muang is typically excellent, with crystal-clear waters offering visibility of up to 30 meters or more. However, strong currents can occur at the site, so it's important to dive with an experienced guide who can advise on the best conditions for diving.

Overall Both Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are must-visit dive sites for any diving enthusiast traveling to the Andaman Sea region of Thailand. These stunning dive sites offer a unique and exciting diving experience for experienced divers.

Hin Muang, Manta ray

Marine life

Hin Muang is known for its vibrant soft corals, sea fans, and sponges that cover the rock formation, creating a stunning backdrop for divers. The site is also home to a diverse range of marine life, including schools of tropical reef fish, moray eels, octopus, and cuttlefish.

One of the highlights of diving at Hin Muang is the opportunity to spot larger marine creatures such as whale sharks, manta rays, and leopard sharks. The site is particularly popular for sightings of whale sharks, which are known to visit the site during the peak season from December to April.

Whale Shark Hin Muang

Koh Haa

Koh Haa

The name "Koh Haa" means "five islands" in Thai, and the group of islands is made up of five main islands surrounded by crystal-clear waters.

The five islands that make up Koh Haa are Koh Haa Yai, Koh Haa Lagoon, Koh Haa Neua, Koh Haa Sam, and Koh Haa Chan. Each island offers a unique underwater landscape and marine ecosystem, with dive sites ranging from shallow coral gardens to deep walls and caves.

The islands are popular among scuba divers and snorkelers for their stunning underwater scenery, which includes coral reefs, colorful fish, and other marine life. The waters surrounding Koh Haa are also home to several species of sea turtles and sharks.

Koh Haa is renowned for its exceptional diving sites, and it's difficult to say which one is the "best" as it often depends on personal preference and experience level. 

The best time to dive in Koh Haa is from November to April, during the dry season when the weather is calm and the sea is usually very clear. During this period, the sea conditions are generally good, with calm waters and good visibility, making it easier to spot marine life and explore the underwater world.
The water temperature in Koh Haa generally ranges from 26-30°C year-round.

However, here are some of the most popular dive sites in Koh Haa:

Koh Haa, The Chimney

Parrotfish, Koh Haa, The Lagoon

Koh Haa, The Cathedral

THE CHIMNEY
Type of dive: wall dive, cave, coral garden
Depth: 5 meters / 27 meters
Visibility: 10 - 30 meters
Difficulty: Open Water / Advanced + 
Currents: Moderate
Marine life: +++
Lens recommendation: Wide-angle and Macro
Overall note: ★★★★★

The Chimney is one of the most famous dive sites in Koh Haa. It features a large underwater cave that divers can swim through, with an exit point that leads to a shallow coral garden. Inside the cave, divers can see schools of glassfish, moray eels, and other marine life.

THE LAGOON
Type of dive: coral garden
Depth: 0 meters / 6 meters
Visibility: 10 - 30 meters
Difficulty: Beginners / Open Water / Advanced +
Currents: None to Moderate
Marine life: +++
Lens recommendation: Macro
Overall note: ★★★★

The Lagoon is a shallow, sheltered dive site that is ideal for beginner divers or those who prefer a more relaxed dive. It features a sandy bottom and a wide variety of soft corals and sea fans. Divers can see many colorful fish species, including angelfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish.
The Lagoon is a perfect site for check dive on our cruises leaving from Phuket and heading South. 

THE CATHEDRAL
Type of dive: wall dive, cave, coral garden
Depth: 5 meters / 30 meters
Visibility: 10 - 30 meters
Difficulty: Open Water / Advanced + 
Currents: Moderate
Marine life: +++
Lens recommendation: Wide-angle and Macro
Overall note: ★★★★★

The Cathedral is a large cavern with an open-top that allows sunlight to filter through, creating a stunning visual effect. The cavern is home to many species of marine life, including lionfish, barracudas, and nudibranchs.

Overall, Koh Haa offers a diverse range of diving sites suitable for all levels of experience, and each site provides a unique and memorable underwater experience.

Juvenile Emperor angelfish

Whale shark with Cobias

Marine Life

Koh Haa is home to a diverse range of marine life, with an abundance of colorful corals, reef fish, and larger marine animals. Some of the most commonly spotted marine life in Koh Haa include:

Reef Fish: Koh Haa's coral reefs are home to a variety of reef fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, and triggerfish. Schools of colorful fish can be seen swimming around the coral formations, and it's not uncommon to spot larger species like barracudas, groupers, and snappers.

Turtles: Green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles are frequently spotted in Koh Haa's waters. These gentle creatures can often be seen grazing on seagrass or swimming leisurely around the reef.

Sharks: Several species of sharks can be found in Koh Haa, including reef sharks, leopard sharks, whale sharks. These sharks are generally harmless to humans and can be seen patrolling the reef or resting on sandy patches.

Rays: Koh Haa is home to a variety of rays, including stingrays, eagle rays, and manta rays. These graceful creatures can often be seen gliding through the water or resting on the sandy bottom.

Nudibranchs: Koh Haa's reefs are also home to a variety of colorful nudibranchs, which are small, brightly colored sea slugs. These creatures are a favorite among underwater photographers due to their unique colors and patterns.

Tambja Affinis nudibranch