Scuba Diving in Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is a popular scuba diving destination in Thailand, known for its clear waters and diverse marine life. Here is some information about scuba diving in Koh Lanta, including the best diving spots for experienced divers and beginners, as well as the marine life, dive conditions, and cost.
Best Scuba Diving Spots for Experienced Divers:
- Hin Daeng and Hin Muang: These two sites are located south of Koh Lanta and are known for their deep waters and strong currents, making them suitable for experienced divers. Hin Daeng is a popular spot for seeing manta rays and whale sharks, while Hin Muang is known for its purple soft coral.
- Koh Haa: Koh Haa is a group of five small islands off the coast of Koh Lanta, offering a variety of dive sites for experienced divers. The sites are known for their coral gardens, swim-throughs, and caverns, as well as sightings of reef sharks and turtles.
Best Scuba Diving Spots for Beginners:
- Koh Bida Nok: Koh Bida Nok is a small island located off the coast of Koh Lanta, offering shallow dive sites suitable for beginners. The site is known for its colorful soft coral and a variety of marine life, including seahorses, lionfish, and clownfish.
- Koh Rok: Koh Rok is a group of two islands located south of Koh Lanta, offering calm waters and shallow dive sites suitable for beginners. The site is known for its colorful coral and a variety of marine life, including parrotfish, angelfish, and barracuda.
Marine Life:
Koh Lanta is home to a diverse range of marine life, including tropical fish, sharks, rays, turtles, and various species of coral. Divers can expect to see a variety of colorful reef fish, such as angelfish, butterflyfish, and clownfish, as well as larger species like leopard sharks and barracuda.
Dive Conditions:
The water temperature in Koh Lanta ranges from 26°C (79°F) in the winter months to 30°C (86°F) in the summer months. The visibility can vary depending on the dive site and time of year, but typically ranges from 10 to 30 meters (33 to 100 feet). Currents can be strong at some dive sites, so it is important to check conditions and dive with an experienced guide.
Cost:
The cost of scuba diving in Koh Lanta varies depending on the dive operator, dive site, and level of experience. Prices for a single dive can range from 1,500 to 2,500 THB (approximately $50 to $80 USD), while multi-dive packages and certification courses are also available at higher prices.
