Krabi sits on the Andaman Sea — one of the clearest, most biodiverse bodies of water in Southeast Asia. Whether you want to try diving for the first time, complete your PADI Open Water certification, or explore a 30-metre shipwreck, you'll find it all within 45–90 minutes of Ao Nang.
Best Dive Sites Near Ao Nang
1. King Cruiser Wreck — ★★★★★
A 85-metre car ferry that sank in 1997, now resting at 12–32 metres depth. The wreck is covered in coral and bursting with marine life: lionfish, moray eels, enormous grouper, and batfish. This is Krabi's most dramatic dive. Best for: Advanced and experienced divers.
2. Shark Point (Hin Musang) — ★★★★★
Three submerged pinnacles covered in purple sea fans and anemones. Leopard sharks rest on the sandy bottom, and you'll regularly see manta rays, sea turtles, and barracuda. Visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres. Best for: All levels.
3. Anemone Reef (Hin Jom) — ★★★★☆
A submerged pinnacle carpeted in anemones hosting hundreds of clownfish. Strong currents make this exciting for experienced divers, but also mean the reef is pristine. Best for: Intermediate and above.
4. Phi Phi Islands — ★★★★☆
Coral gardens with exceptional visibility, lots of reef fish, occasional reef sharks, and stunning underwater topography around the cliffs of Phi Phi Leh. Often combined with a surface island-hopping tour. Best for: All levels.
5. Koh Doc Mai — ★★★★☆
A small island with steep walls dropping to 15 metres, completely covered in soft corals. Popular with macro photographers — look for nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and seahorses. Best for: All levels, great for beginners.
Prices at a Glance
| Course / Dive | Standard Price | Direct / Cash Price |
|---|---|---|
| Discover Scuba (no experience) | ฿3,200 | ฿2,500 |
| 2-dive fun dive | ฿3,500 | ฿2,800 |
| PADI Open Water (3–4 days) | ฿15,000 | ฿12,500 |
| PADI Advanced Open Water | ฿13,000 | ฿10,500 |
| King Cruiser Wreck dive | ฿4,500 | ฿3,500 |
Best Time to Dive in Krabi
- November – April: Best conditions. Visibility 15–25 metres, flat seas, warm water (27–30°C). Peak dive season is December–March.
- May – October: Monsoon season. Some sites are still diveable, visibility drops to 5–15 metres. Prices are lower. Not all sites accessible.
What You'll Need
- For a Discover Dive: nothing — just bring a swimsuit. All equipment provided.
- For PADI Open Water: you must be able to swim 200 metres (non-stop). No diving experience needed.
- For fun dives: bring your certification card (PADI, SSI, CMAS, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Dive the Andaman Sea?
Book directly with our certified local dive centres. Pay cash or WISE — save up to 20% vs online platforms.