A guide to diving courses in Pattaya
As one of Thailand’s most famous beach resorts, Pattaya is proof that scuba diving is possible a mere two hours from bustling Bangkok. Pattaya may not be known as a top diving spot in Thailand, but its mind-boggling array of activities, combined with its uncontainable energy, keeps divers coming back for more.
Several islands are easily reached from Pattaya Bay, including Koh Larn, Koh Rin and Koh Krok. Divers of all levels can find a suitable course, with open water certification and introductory courses being particularly popular in Pattaya. As Thailand’s first recreational diving spot for tourists, Pattaya has a large number of reputable diving programmes from which travellers can choose.
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More advanced divers can opt for one of the widely available specialised programmes, including wreck diving. Wreck diving is a popular attraction here, with the Petchburi Bremen and Hardeep wrecks being two top-notch spots. The unique atmosphere and the concentration of marine life make wreck diving a special experience that all divers should try.
The Hardeep, a 42-meter freighter situated between Koh Chuang and Koh Samaesan, is considered the best wreck diving spot here. Several types of tropical fish are on view here too, and divers can explore the inside of the ship as well as the exterior.
Also to the south, the Bremen is a good choice for deep diving. This 300-foot steel ship rests 25 meters below the surface and attracts interesting marine life as well. South of Koh Phi, the newly sunk HTMS Khram is quickly gaining popularity for its diverse marine life.
Aside from wreck diving, there are plenty of diving sites near the various offshore islands. Several types of coral and marine life are on display, including barracuda, blue spotted stingrays, porcupine puffer fish and tuna. Visibility ranges from 2 to 25 meters, which means that conditions can be unpredictable.
Koh Larn’s accessibility and large size make it one of the more popular offshore islands of Pattaya. Koh Rin is one of the better areas for diving, boasting high visibility and interesting rock formations. Koh Krok offers a lovely coral dive that is perfect for beginners, with the added bonus that there are no jet-skis allowed on this private island.
The reputable Mermaid’s Dive Centre is a PADI National Geographic Five Star CDC Center that offers diving programmes at 20 different sites. Their diverse course menu includes instruction in wreck diving, recreation diving and technical diving, with full-day trips offered daily. The Aquanauts Dive Centre is a British-owned company that is also a PADI National Geographic Five Star CDC and offers various diving programmes and scheduling.
