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Best Dive Site in Krabi Ao Nang

Several zones in Ao Nang Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park are noted for their superabundance of lively marine life and diverse species of kaleidoscopic corals.

This section contains information about the dive sites in Krabi and Ao Nang islands, including the depth limits and what kind of aquatic animals scuba divers and snorkelers can see.

When is the Best Season to Dive Ao Nang?

Generally speaking, you can go snorkeling and scuba diving near Krabi and the offshore islands every month of the year.

Even so, you'll experience some of the best scuba diving in Thailand in the calm and flat seas from the end of November through to May.

Furthermore, you should still expect to have sea temperatures around 29° Celsius (85° Fahrenheit) even during the winter months.

More than 100 islands offer divers an exciting variety of gentle sloping reefs, shallow swim-throughs, and underwater caverns.

You'll also have an opportunity to see several hundred different species of fish around seven distinct island destinations. The archipelago is only a short boat trip from Aonang, and always popular for scuba diving courses and snorkeling adventures.

Here's the thing:

Advanced or experienced divers are more likely to appreciate the deeper spots at the Phi Phi Island dive sites. This is an ideal location to see big fish, aquatic invertebrates, and colourful coral formations.

The optimum season for scuba diving in Krabi and Ao Nang peaks between the months of December and April. The dry sunny high season offers tranquil warm water diving and underwater visibility in excess of twenty (20) metres (65 feet).

Dive shops operate for most of the year. Nonetheless, the sea conditions will deteriorate from June and often result in heavy rainfall around the Andaman Sea and Phuket dive sites towards the end of October.

Pro Tip: The south-west monsoons, and general bad weather during the rainy season, both affect the underwater clarity and often produce choppy boat crossings. Hence, novice scuba divers should find better conditions in Koh Samui dive spots or Koh Tao diving sites in the Gulf of Thailand from May to September during the Andaman low season.

Marine Life at Krabi and Ao Nang

The dive sites at Krabi and Ao Nang islands are good places to see large fish families. Scuba divers should expect to catch sightings of some stunning macro marine life as well, especially:

Pro Tip: Dive in Krabi or Aonang between March and June and you may be lucky to see mating leopard sharks during their reproductive season.

List of Krabi Dive Sites

G. K. Island

Even though the dive site at G. K. Island appears to be tiny in size and shape, the underwater plateau of coral that runs southwards is impressively large.

Koh Dor

Divers and snorkelers often see black-tip reef sharks schooling on the west side of Koh Dor dive site and there is a noteworthy scattering of hard and soft corals (e.g. honeycomb coral).

Koh Haa

A boat trip from Ao Nang to this cluster of 5 islands will take around three hours. Even so, the clearer water and biodiversity at Koh Haa dive site make it a worthwhile journey.

Koh Kai (Chicken Island)

One of the most popular diving destinations close to Ao Nang is the small offshore island of Koh Kai. It has an abundance of colourful coral reefs and marine animals, such as frogfishes and small sharks.

Koh Mae Urai

This spot is the ideal diving location for pipefish, seahorses, and various species of nudibranch slugs. With a maximum depth of 20 metres, it's one of the best dive sites in the area for macrolife photography.

Koh Poda

You'll find Koh Podah Nai diving spot around 6 kilometres to the south of Ao Nang beach. It is one of the largest offshore islands in the area with average diving depths of 8 metres.

Koh Sii

From Ao Nang beach, Koh Sii dive site is a firm favourite for snorkelers and shallow water swimmers. The site for scuba divers is surrounded by two huge coral gardens.

Koh Talu

If you go scuba diving at Koh Talu, the main attractions are two shallow 'swim-throughs' that are often guarded by schooling barracudas and a large grouper.

Koh Yawabon

One of the least visited locations from Krabi is Koh Yawabon Island dive site. Curious divers who make the trip should see large schools of fish families swimming in the blue.

Koh Yawasam

You can find it all at the Koh Yawasam dive site. It's also a great place to start diving because of the large shallow gardens of coral surrounded by flat sandy areas.

Krabi Wreck Dive Sites Ao Nang

HTMS Ravi (LCT-762)

Built in 1944, the original vessel was a US Navy tank landing craft. After decommissioning HTMS Ravi ' LCT-762 in April 2013 they transferred it to the Thai Navy, who scuttled the empty craft to create one of several artificial reefs close to Krabi.

HTMS Kolum Wreck / LCT 765

The US also transferred a tank carrier to Thailand. They renamed it to HTMS Kolum Wreck (LCT 765) and sank it close to the islands near Ao Nang.

HTMS Talibong Wreck / LCT 766

The end of World War II meant there was little need for US Navy tank landing crafts. As a consequence, one of six decommissioned and transferred to the Royal Thai Navy also included HTMS Talibong (LCT 766).

HTMS Kled Keaw Ship Wreck

The outcome of several controlled explosions that took place on the 19th of March 2014 was a new wreck diving site - known locally as HMTS Klad Keaw - laid to rest east of Piley Bay, near Ko Phi Phi Ley.

Related Information and Help Guides

Getting to Krabi Ao Nang Islands

The distance from Bangkok to Krabi is about eight hundred (800) kilometres. You'll find Krabi province on the west coast of southern Thailand and Phuket is about 170 kilometres to the west.

As a consequence of that. Krabi is easily accessible by air (e.g. from Phuket International Airport), by road (e.g. highway 4), by bus, and by sea.

Domestic flights to Krabi International Airport (KBV) are available from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Chiang Mai Airport, and Koh Samui International Airport (USM). As an alternative, you can fly directly to Krabi from outside of Thailand, including Malaysia, Singapore, and China.