PATTAYA
The main sweep of the bay area is divided into two principal beachfronts. Pattaya Beach is parallel to city centre, and is the main destination for bathers and loungers with the section from Central Road (Pattaya Klang) south to the harbor forming part of the core of the town's restaurants, motorcycle hire, and night attractions.
Jomtien Beach in the southern part of the bay area is divided from Pattaya beach by the promontry of Pratumnak Hill, just south of the city, and is mainly a residential area with luxury developments, beachside hotels, bungalow complexes, condominiums and restaurants. It offers of water sport activities such as Jet Skis,Parasailing and small sail boat hire.
The Jomtien district is the location of one of the largest resorts in Asia, the 4000+ room Ambassador City Jomtien.
Nights out in Pattaya can be wild and great fun !
If your venturing down walking street keep an eye on your money and mobile phones.
Pattaya has a tropical wet and dry climate, which is divided into the following seasons: warm and dry (November to February), hot and humid (March to May), and hot and rainy (June to October).
PATTAYA BEACH
Offshore islands include the "Near Islands", Koh Larn (main island),Koh Sak and Koh Krok located 7 km from the western shores of Pattaya Ko Larn, or "Coral Island", Mu Ko Phai, the "Far Islands", Koh Phai (main island), Koh Man Wichai,Koh Hu Chang and Koh Klu Badang, located offshore further west of the "Near Islands", and Ko Rin, located offshore to the southwest, south of Mu Ko Phai. Some of the islands in the group are accessible by speedboat in less than 15 minutes and by ferry taking about 45 minutes. The names "Near Islands", "Far Islands" and "Coral Island" are used for touristic purposes only and do not correspond to any naming conventions of the island groups and are not shown on maritime charts. Many of the islands have public beaches and offer scuba diving activities.
NEAR ISLANDS
Diving around the near islands is very poor, there is a lot of silt in the water and the reefs have suffered dynamite, trawling and tourist related damage. Pollution is also a problem and is most severe around Koh Larn although many marine clean ups have been organised recently and have made and positive impact. There are sparse coral reefs which can have some life around them but most local dive operators use Near Islands for training and night dives. Be particularly careful of the local jet-ski operators and speed boats they care very little if there are divers in the water.
Jomtien Beach in the southern part of the bay area is divided from Pattaya beach by the promontry of Pratumnak Hill, just south of the city, and is mainly a residential area with luxury developments, beachside hotels, bungalow complexes, condominiums and restaurants. It offers of water sport activities such as Jet Skis,Parasailing and small sail boat hire.
The Jomtien district is the location of one of the largest resorts in Asia, the 4000+ room Ambassador City Jomtien.
Nights out in Pattaya can be wild and great fun !
If your venturing down walking street keep an eye on your money and mobile phones.
Pattaya has a tropical wet and dry climate, which is divided into the following seasons: warm and dry (November to February), hot and humid (March to May), and hot and rainy (June to October).
PATTAYA BEACH
Offshore islands include the "Near Islands", Koh Larn (main island),Koh Sak and Koh Krok located 7 km from the western shores of Pattaya Ko Larn, or "Coral Island", Mu Ko Phai, the "Far Islands", Koh Phai (main island), Koh Man Wichai,Koh Hu Chang and Koh Klu Badang, located offshore further west of the "Near Islands", and Ko Rin, located offshore to the southwest, south of Mu Ko Phai. Some of the islands in the group are accessible by speedboat in less than 15 minutes and by ferry taking about 45 minutes. The names "Near Islands", "Far Islands" and "Coral Island" are used for touristic purposes only and do not correspond to any naming conventions of the island groups and are not shown on maritime charts. Many of the islands have public beaches and offer scuba diving activities.
NEAR ISLANDS
Diving around the near islands is very poor, there is a lot of silt in the water and the reefs have suffered dynamite, trawling and tourist related damage. Pollution is also a problem and is most severe around Koh Larn although many marine clean ups have been organised recently and have made and positive impact. There are sparse coral reefs which can have some life around them but most local dive operators use Near Islands for training and night dives. Be particularly careful of the local jet-ski operators and speed boats they care very little if there are divers in the water.
Far Islands
The Far Islands sites have conditions similar to those of Chumphon and generally have better diving.
The coral life is much healthier and more abundant and less affected by tourist damage.
To get to the Far Islands will take about 2 Hrs by large boat and most of the dive sites can be accessed by boat.There are also a couple of wrecks worth visiting but diver beware, these are not for novices as the currents can run strong and the dives are all around 30 meters.
Chances of seeing turtles on your dives here are quite high, with a few resident turtles on Koh Rin and Koh Phai.
The coral life is much healthier and more abundant and less affected by tourist damage.
To get to the Far Islands will take about 2 Hrs by large boat and most of the dive sites can be accessed by boat.There are also a couple of wrecks worth visiting but diver beware, these are not for novices as the currents can run strong and the dives are all around 30 meters.
Chances of seeing turtles on your dives here are quite high, with a few resident turtles on Koh Rin and Koh Phai.
Dive Sites To Visit
KOH LUAM
Location: Around the Southern headland of Koh Luam the northern most of the Far Island chain.
Access: Just under 2Hrs by boat from Pattaya Beach .The site has no buoy.
Conditions: Southerly winds increase visibility from the customary 5 mtrs to 10 mtrs.The currents around this sheltered end of the island will also be weaker at this time. These conditions will allow snorkelling.
Average Depth: 10 mtrs
Max Depth: 18 mtrs
KOH PHAI
Location:The second northern most Island in the Far Island Chain about 2 Kms South East of Koh Luam
Access: About 2 hrs by boat from Pattaya Beach .There is no mooring bouy.
Conditions: Currents are generally weak to moderate. If there is a strong current running then this can be a good drift dive site.
Visibility averages 4 mtrs.
Average Depth: 6 mtrs
Maximum Depth: 10 mtrs
KOH KLUNG BADEN (West Reef)
Location: In the Far Island Chain about 5 Kms South of Koh Hu Chang
Access: About 1 Hr 40 Mins by boat from Pattaya Beach.There is no mooring bouy.The dive follows the reef north around the headland.Alternatively the site can be reached by a short surface swim from the beach.
Conditions: Currents are generally weak to moderate allowing snorkelling.When the site has strong currents drift dives are good.
Visibility averages 5 mtrs.
Average Depth: 6 mtrs
Maximum Depth: 12 mtrs
KOH KLUNG BADEN (East Reef)
Location: In the Far Island Chain about 5 Kms South of Koh Hu Chang
Access: About 1 Hr 40 Mins by boat from Pattaya Beach.There is no mooring bouy.The dive follows the reef north around the headland.Alternatively the site can be reached by a short surface swim from the beach.
Conditions: The conditions are similar to those off West Coast.
Average Depth 8 mtrs
Max Depth 18 mtrs
KOH MAN WINCHAI (West Reef)
Location: In the Far Island chain just over 2 kms south of Koh Klung Baden.
Access: About 1hr 40 Mins by boat from Pattaya Beach.There is no mooring buoys,boats can moor 30mtrs off the Southwest coast.
Conditions:During northerly winds this is a good site for novices.Visibility between 5mtrs and 15mtrs
Average Depth 7 mtrs
Max Depth 15 mtrs
HIN KHAO
Location: A small rocky outcrop 8kms south of Koh Man Wichai.The dive circumnavigates the outcrop.
Access: Just under 2 hrs by boat from Pattaya Beach.
Conditions: Strong currents and limited visibility restrict this site to experienced divers only
Average Depth 6 mtrs
Max Depth 15 mtrs
KOH RIN
Location: Starting at the northern end of the bay on the soutwest coast of Koh Rin -the large islet at the bottom of the Far Island chain about 1km southwest of Hin Khao
Access: 2 hrs by boat from Pattaya Beach.
Conditions:Between November and March this site has very favourable conditions ,when a year round visibility of 5mtrs increases to 15 mtrs and very mild currents can be expected.The sheltered bay is safe to snorkel in during northerly winds
Average Depth 7 mtrs
Max Depth 14 mtrs
HIN TON MAI
Location: Around the eastern perimeter of low lying rock outcrops at the extreme south of the Far Island chain about 1km south of Koh Rin
Access: About 2 hrs 30 mins by boat from Pattaya Beach.There is one mooring buoy.
Conditions:During northerly winds this site is quite suitable for novice divers.
Southerly winds, however make it suitable for experienced divers only.
Visibility ranges between 5mtrs and 15mtrs
Average Depth 6 mtrs
Max Depth 14 mtrs
PETCHBURY BREMEN WRECK
Location: About 30 Kms from Pattaya Beach ,in the channel between Koh Khram Yai and Sattahip on the mainland.
Access: 3 hrs by boat from Pattaya Beach.Finding the site requires a skilled captain
Conditions:Stong currents and low visibility.To enjoy this dive you need to plan your dives around slack tide.
Average Depth 19 mtrs
Max Depth 24 mtrs
Location: Around the Southern headland of Koh Luam the northern most of the Far Island chain.
Access: Just under 2Hrs by boat from Pattaya Beach .The site has no buoy.
Conditions: Southerly winds increase visibility from the customary 5 mtrs to 10 mtrs.The currents around this sheltered end of the island will also be weaker at this time. These conditions will allow snorkelling.
Average Depth: 10 mtrs
Max Depth: 18 mtrs
KOH PHAI
Location:The second northern most Island in the Far Island Chain about 2 Kms South East of Koh Luam
Access: About 2 hrs by boat from Pattaya Beach .There is no mooring bouy.
Conditions: Currents are generally weak to moderate. If there is a strong current running then this can be a good drift dive site.
Visibility averages 4 mtrs.
Average Depth: 6 mtrs
Maximum Depth: 10 mtrs
KOH KLUNG BADEN (West Reef)
Location: In the Far Island Chain about 5 Kms South of Koh Hu Chang
Access: About 1 Hr 40 Mins by boat from Pattaya Beach.There is no mooring bouy.The dive follows the reef north around the headland.Alternatively the site can be reached by a short surface swim from the beach.
Conditions: Currents are generally weak to moderate allowing snorkelling.When the site has strong currents drift dives are good.
Visibility averages 5 mtrs.
Average Depth: 6 mtrs
Maximum Depth: 12 mtrs
KOH KLUNG BADEN (East Reef)
Location: In the Far Island Chain about 5 Kms South of Koh Hu Chang
Access: About 1 Hr 40 Mins by boat from Pattaya Beach.There is no mooring bouy.The dive follows the reef north around the headland.Alternatively the site can be reached by a short surface swim from the beach.
Conditions: The conditions are similar to those off West Coast.
Average Depth 8 mtrs
Max Depth 18 mtrs
KOH MAN WINCHAI (West Reef)
Location: In the Far Island chain just over 2 kms south of Koh Klung Baden.
Access: About 1hr 40 Mins by boat from Pattaya Beach.There is no mooring buoys,boats can moor 30mtrs off the Southwest coast.
Conditions:During northerly winds this is a good site for novices.Visibility between 5mtrs and 15mtrs
Average Depth 7 mtrs
Max Depth 15 mtrs
HIN KHAO
Location: A small rocky outcrop 8kms south of Koh Man Wichai.The dive circumnavigates the outcrop.
Access: Just under 2 hrs by boat from Pattaya Beach.
Conditions: Strong currents and limited visibility restrict this site to experienced divers only
Average Depth 6 mtrs
Max Depth 15 mtrs
KOH RIN
Location: Starting at the northern end of the bay on the soutwest coast of Koh Rin -the large islet at the bottom of the Far Island chain about 1km southwest of Hin Khao
Access: 2 hrs by boat from Pattaya Beach.
Conditions:Between November and March this site has very favourable conditions ,when a year round visibility of 5mtrs increases to 15 mtrs and very mild currents can be expected.The sheltered bay is safe to snorkel in during northerly winds
Average Depth 7 mtrs
Max Depth 14 mtrs
HIN TON MAI
Location: Around the eastern perimeter of low lying rock outcrops at the extreme south of the Far Island chain about 1km south of Koh Rin
Access: About 2 hrs 30 mins by boat from Pattaya Beach.There is one mooring buoy.
Conditions:During northerly winds this site is quite suitable for novice divers.
Southerly winds, however make it suitable for experienced divers only.
Visibility ranges between 5mtrs and 15mtrs
Average Depth 6 mtrs
Max Depth 14 mtrs
PETCHBURY BREMEN WRECK
Location: About 30 Kms from Pattaya Beach ,in the channel between Koh Khram Yai and Sattahip on the mainland.
Access: 3 hrs by boat from Pattaya Beach.Finding the site requires a skilled captain
Conditions:Stong currents and low visibility.To enjoy this dive you need to plan your dives around slack tide.
Average Depth 19 mtrs
Max Depth 24 mtrs
HARDEEP WRECK
Location:14 kms southeast of Sattahip Pier.The wreck lies in about 30 mtrs of water off the southern headland of Koh Samae San,in the narrow channel between it and Koh Chaung.
Access: 30 mins by dive boat from Pattaya Pier.
Conditions:Extreme Currents - Occasionally visible on the surface-flow through the narrow strait.The wreck can only be dived during slack tides.Visibility ranges between 2 mtrs to 15 mtrs
Average Depth 28 mtrs
Max Depth 32 mtr
Access: 30 mins by dive boat from Pattaya Pier.
Conditions:Extreme Currents - Occasionally visible on the surface-flow through the narrow strait.The wreck can only be dived during slack tides.Visibility ranges between 2 mtrs to 15 mtrs
Average Depth 28 mtrs
Max Depth 32 mtr