PATTAYA NEAR ISLAND DIVE SITES

KOH LARN

Location: In the Near Island group Koh Larn is the largest of three, just over 12km (7 n. miles ) west of Pattaya Beach.
Conditions: All year round pattaya diving, offers good protection from strong currents and winds when far islands cannot be reached. Visibility ranges between 5m (16ft) and 15m (50ft).Average depth: 7m (23ft) | Maximum depth: 15m (50ft)

This is worth a visit when conditions are favorable. Koh Larn Vac has numerous corals in very shallow water, ideal for snorkellers and novice divers. In the bay at the southern most point of the island is a breakwater and a small concrete platform, about 50m (150 ft) from this platform are large concrete rings under the water. These rings are covered in soft corals and fans, many reef fish have made the rings their home. The reef getting a little deeper as it rounds the south west headland, it will continue north until reaching the next bay. You will find a few very large coral boomies along this stretch of coast line. Although you might not be able to get any deep water here you will be pleasantly surprised at the varied amount of marine life in the shallow waters.

KOH SAC

Location: This is the northern most island of the three near islands 10km (6 n. miles ) west of Pattaya Beach.
Conditions: During southerly winds this is a good site for novices. Visibility ranges between 5m (16ft) and 15m (50ft).
Average depth: 5m (16ft) | Maximum depth: 9m (30ft)

This site must be the most dived site by many of Pattaya's dive shops as a training site, care must be taken when in the centre of the bay or on the surface due to tour boats and jet skis, surface markers are a must.
The east and west headlands do offer some interesting shallow reef and under water atificial reef project, as little as 3m (10 ft) in the centre of the bay at low tide. Due to the fact that the dive area is protected from the weather most of the year it some times has some of the best visibility. Divers will often see turtles, marine life is plentiful and varied.

KOH KROK

Location: This is the closest of all the dive sites off the Pattaya coast, 9km (51/2 n. miles ) east of Pattaya Beach.
Conditions: During northerly winds this is a good site for novices. Visibility ranges between 5m (16ft) and 15m (50ft).
Average depth: 7m (23ft) | Maximum depth: 12m (40ft)

This site is always worth a visit when strong incoming tides are present, drift dives along this side of the island can be quite fun. although in a dropping tide the waters are clam and tranquile. Koh Krok is one of the least dived sites and anchor damage to corals is much less than some other areas at the near islands. This site is home to many reef fish, nudi branch and a few types of sea turtles.