Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Nov–Apr · Mild current · 27–31°C (coldest Jan, warmest Apr)
- Current
- Mild
- Water temperature
- 27–31°C (coldest Jan, warmest Apr)
- Visibility
- 5–20m: Modest and variable for the eastern Gulf: commonly 5 to 15m and plankton- and runoff-dependent.
- Experience
- Most reef and pinnacle sites suit all levels, including Open Water, with mild currents and shallow profiles.
01 · Marine life
What you may see
Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Blue-spotted rays and other stingrays are commonly seen on the sandy patches at Hin Raab and the National Park reefs.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Moray eels are common in the boulders and wreck recesses across Hin Luk Bat, Hin Raab and the HTMS Chang.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Barracuda are reliable around the HTMS Chang and the rocky reefs, sometimes in schools.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Anemonefish (clownfish) occupy anemone fields on the shallow reefs, notably at Hin Luk Bat.
02 · Dive sites
Dive sites worth knowing
A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.
Hin Kuak Maa (Three Finger Reef)
A National Park reef off Koh Tun / Koh Rang, shallow and coral-covered.
6–16m · Mild current
Hin Luk Bat
A submerged boulder formation 3 to 5 km southwest of Koh Chang, with swim-throughs between large rocks.
5–25m · Mild current
Hin Raab (Hin Rap)
A cluster of rocky reef zones south of the island with coral and abundant reef fish.
5–18m · Mild current
See all 5 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsModerate. Fly to TDX. Typical trip $.
Route overview
Moderate
Reachable but with some friction: 1 domestic flight.
Airport options
TDX
Trat Airport
Domestic Bangkok Airways flights from Bangkok (BKK/DMK), about 1 hour; roughly 20 minutes by road to the Laem Ngop ferry piers
BKK
Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok)
Nearest major international airport; connect to a domestic flight to Trat (TDX) or take a bus/minivan roughly 4 to 5 hours to the ferry piers
Typical trip cost
$
under $2,000
Per person, excluding international flights.
- Budget land-based day-trip diving.
- A two-dive day trip typically runs about 2,500 to 3,500 baht (roughly $70 to $100), gear included; HTMS Chang wreck trips sit at the higher end.
- No liveaboard here; costs are far below the Andaman.
Permit or park fee
What you pay
foreign divers pay ~400 baht adult / 200 baht child at Koh Rang (double the 200/100 baht snorkeler rate)
Thai nationals 40/20 baht
not included in advertised dive-trip prices.
How it works
Sites within Mu Ko Chang / Koh Rang National Park require a national-park entrance fee, payable by divers and snorkellers on trips to Koh Rang and nearby islands. Full wreck penetration on the HTMS Chang requires appropriate technical/wreck certification.