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Scuba Diving at Koh Hu Chang Pattaya
Koh Hu Chang (loosely translated as "Elephant Ears Island") is one of the least frequented diving destinations out of all the islands near Pattaya Beach.
This Koh Hu Chang dive guide contains helpful information for scuba divers and snorkelers, with extra details about the sea life found in the Northeastern Gulf of Thailand.
Which Months are Best for Diving in Pattaya
Unlike the Andaman Sea coastlines, the eastern shores of Thailand are unique for several reasons:
- The shallowest coral reef dive sites are ideal for divers of all experience levels.
- You can also find challenging dives (including some of the best wreck diving in Thailand).
- The eastern seaboard tends to get shelter from the worst of monsoon rains that sometimes rule out diving in areas like Phuket and Phi Phi.
It's fair to say that most scuba divers want to explore top diving destinations that have calm conditions underwater and lots of dry sunny weather above the waterline.
In fact, Chonburi Province has more than 300 days of year-round sunshine and the water temperature rarely drops below 29° Celsius (84° Fahrenheit).
As a result, the white sand beaches and clear blue water found at the islands around Pattaya have transformed the region into one of the top places for diving holidays in Thailand.
Here's the thing:
As a consequence of that, diving in Pattaya tends to be an annual activity. Even so, divers need to be mindful that the southwest storms usually arrive towards the end of October and can last for several weeks.
At certain times of the year, the north eastern gulf can have twenty (20) metres of underwater visibility. Thus, the best months for scuba diving and Pattaya snorkeling trips are from the beginning of September through to the end of February.
Pro Tip: Check out our sea life section for interesting facts about sharks (e.g. blacktip reef sharks) and rays (e.g. spotted eagle rays) that sometimes put in an appearance at the outer islands.
Tips for Diving at Koh Hu Chang
The dive site named "Elephant Ears Rock" is a small island pinnacle close to the popular diving spots near Koh Rin.
The Thai word "Koh Hu Chang" refers to the shape and outline that this small islet makes above the surface of the water - around fifteen (15) kilometres from Pattaya Beach (about 75 minutes by boat).
Koh Hu Chang is one of the small dives sites in Pattaya. Nonetheless, the sheltered inlet on the west side is a good place for learning how to scuba and for conducting organised snorkeling tours.
But wait - there's more:
The average depth is about nine (9) metres and the maximum is about fifteen metres (49 feet). Divers can expect to have between three (3) and twelve (12) metres of underwater visibility with moderate currents.
Despite being one of the lesser dived destinations, it offers a pleasant combination of shallow vibrant reefs, rocky outcrops, and plenty of open sand (e.g. for practicing scuba skills).
Pro Tip: The quiet bays at Koh Hu Chang are mostly void of boat traffic and jet skis. Thus, it's an ideal location for dive schools to conduct the Discover Scuba Diving program, and its related training dives. The rugged topography also provides a superb backdrop for underwater photography and learning how to free dive.
Marine Life at Hu Chang Island
Having the opportunity to experience interesting topography, clearer underwater visibility, and a superabundance of aquatic creatures are the main reasons divers make the trip to the Far Islands.
Most of the Pattaya dive sites are good places to see big fishes (e.g. pelagics). Plus, divers should expect to catch sightings of common marine life native to the northern Gulf of Thailand, especially during the plankton blooms in March and April, such as:
- Angelfishes (e.g. blue ringed angelfish)
- Barrel sponges (Xestospongia muta)
Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae)- Chevron barracuda
- Christmas tree worm (Spirobranchus giganteus)
- Damselfishes (e.g. the dusky damselfish)
- Gobies fish
- Hermit crab (superfamily Paguroidea)
- Lionfish
- Moray eels (pictured)
- Octopuses
- Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)
- Rabbitfishes (spinefoots)
- Scorpionfish
- Seahorses (Hippocampus)
- Sea anemones (including clownfish)
- Sea turtles (e.g. hawksbill sea turtle)
- Squirrelfish (Holocentrus adscensionis)
- Stingrays (e.g. bluespotted ribbontail ray)
- Wrasse fish
Pro Tip: Koh Hu Chang dive site is a great location to explore diverse reef life and marine invertebrates that live around hard and soft corals. It also creates a neat way to combine reef diving and shipwreck diving on the same day, such as at the nearby HTMS Khram and HTMS Mataphon wreck.