SAMAE SAN ISLANDS DIVE SITES

Diving Around The Samae San Marine Park Islands

Samae San Marine Park, located off the Gulf of Thailand’s eastern coast, is a hidden gem for scuba diving in Pattaya. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, this serene destination offers an unforgettable underwater experience. With vibrant coral reefs, fascinating shipwrecks, and an abundance of sea creatures like rays, sharks, and colourful tropical fish, Samae San caters to divers of all levels. Its calm conditions and breathtaking biodiversity make it perfect for exploration and photography. Whether you’re venturing into its deep blue waters or exploring shallow coral gardens, diving in Samae San Marine Park is a journey into a captivating aquatic paradise.

The Gulf of Thailand is home to some of the most underrated and awe-inspiring wreck dive sites, cherished by local Thai divers as hidden treasures. At Pattaya Dive Centre, we’re proud to offer exclusive access to these lesser-known gems. Our dive boat, stationed in the area, regularly visits iconic sites like the historic Hardeep Wreck and the recently sunk T-Wrecks, two brand-new wrecks introduced to the underwater world in September 2023.

Beyond the wrecks, we explore pristine sites like Shark Fin Rock, Japanese Gardens, Hin Chalam (Rock Shark), and Hin Yai, each offering exceptional marine biodiversity and unique underwater features.

Koh Chuang Island

Dive Site Names: Koh Chuang, Ban Tahan, Had Nam Keaw, Japanese Gardens
Location: Largest island dived around Samae San almost 8km south of the harbor.
Conditions: generally good all year round
Average depth: 8m (20ft)
Maximum depth: 18m (60ft)

Koh Chuang comes into the site immediately as you enter the main triangle of islands in the Same San Marine Park. Approx 300m from the resting place of the famous Hardeep Wreck Chuang beach was where the survive of this Wreck swan to after it was bombed in 1945. 

Fast forward to the present day, this large uninhabited island is surrounded by picturesque beaches and rocky headlands which house many diving spots. Koh Chuang offers several shallow dive sites, From the Bay Drop, Ban Tahan, Had Nam Kwaew and of course the stunning Japanese Gardens. These dive sites are ideal diver training sites for beginner or novice divers as well as stunning underwater ecosystems for seasoned divers to explore. Typically you enter these dive sites by dropping off in nearby shallow water (avoiding anchoring and damaging corals) and then following a fringing coral reef which descends down to a sandy bottom. It is not uncommon to see turtles around here, and numerous fish including blue spotted sting rays, moray eels, fusilier, angel and butterfly fish make Koh Chuang their home.

Koh Chan Island

Dive Site Name: Koh Chan (Pronounced Ko Jarn) Bay & South Point
Location: Beautiful secluded dive site at the far most tip of the Samae San chain of islands
Conditions: Generally good all year round
Average depth: 6m (20ft)
Maximum depth: 18m (60ft)

Koh Chan Island is simply stunning and located opposite Koh Chuang Island, the two of which form the channel of water that the new T-Wrecks (T.94 & T.95 Wrecks) lay in.

Comprised of a Main bay and sloping side dive sites, the diving spot options can be divided on either side for winds and currents. The southernmost tip of the island has huge rocks that have fallen from the cliff, where it has eroded over the centuries. If you are anchored here for your lunch break it is well worth a snorkel trip around the shallow waters, it’s not uncommon to see small Black Tip reef sharks.

The best dive site here is the headland on the southeast corner of the island on the seaward side. On entering the water follow the coral reef down. Upon reaching the bottom head south toward the headland, it will be shallow to start then rapidly getting deeper, with large rocks covered in sea fan, whip coral, and hard and soft coral. Many blue-spotted sting Rays, schools of Yellowtail Fusiliers and lionfish can be seen feeding in the currents.

Koh Ron Island

Dive Site Name: Koh Ron Khon & Kah Ron Nang
Location: Just next to Koh Chuang and the Hardeep shipwreck
Conditions: Offers a dive in many conditions since has a protected front and exposed ear for drifting
Average depth: 6m (20ft)
Maximum depth: 25m (80ft)

Koh Ron is a small satellite island, one of the first three in the triangle of dive sites in the Samae San Marine Park only a few hundred metres again from the Hardeep shipwreck next to Koh Chaung. It is known to see whale sharks here a few times per year with daily inhabitants including sea turtles, clownfish and an array of macro life

Split into technically 2 diving spots Koh Ron Kon and Koh Ron Nang, you can dive 360 around this island, but not in one dive. each side of the isle offers stunning bright corals growing up the walls of the rocks that lead to a bank and sloping coral reef to the depths.

When entering the water on a incoming tide start at the southern end of the rocks on the eastern side, then let the tide take you the whole length of the two islands. On a good flooding tide, you will move the whole length of the dive site quite quickly, this is not a problem, when reaching the northern end follow the rocks around to the other side, here you can remain out of the current for the rest of your allowable bottom time.

The northern tip of these islands is very deep and is popular with Tech divers as depths can well exceed the limits of recreational divers. You will see many clusters of filter-feeding corals and sponges attached to the boulders

Shark Fin Rock

Dive Site Name: Hin Lak Bat – Shark Fin Rock
Location:  Approximately 1 Km west of the Hardeep shipwreck lies a small rock resembling a shark fin
Conditions: Northerly winds suitable all divers. Southerly winds best for drift divers only.
Visibility ranges between 10m (30ft) and 30m (100ft).
Average depth: 15m (50ft)
Maximum depth: 28m (95ft)

Sharkfin Rock should be promoted everywhere as one of the best dive sites in Pattaya, if not the whole of Thailand. This diving spot is every bit as good as say the famous Chumpon Pinnacle in Koh Tao or Sail Rock near Koh Samui but with only a handful of visitors per year, it’s not yet on the lips of the wider dive community. 

Although at first sight, Shark Fin looks to be a very small dive site, once in the water a large reef appears. On the northwestern side of the rock, the reef close to the rock is shallow, large areas of stag horns brain corals, barrel sponges and anemones are abundant.

The main attraction is the Southeastern side with its 16 m (55 ft) vertical wall almost breaking the surface. The northeastern side has a single rock formation that is vertical on the west and has a large sand bank sliding down to 25 m (80ft) on the east, this is home to some large Black Spotted Sting Rays. On a good day, this is one of the best dive sites in Pattaya if not the Gulf of Thailand. Marine life is plentiful and varied.

Hin Chalam

Dive Site Name: Hin Chalarm (Translated: Rock Shark)
Location: Situated a short distance from the main dive areas, closest to Koh Chan.
Conditions: Hin Chalarm boasts is one of the best visibility dive sites in the Samae San Marine Park, typically excellent year-round. Drift dives are common and enjoyable, but occasional currents can challenge less experienced divers.
Average Depth: 14m (46ft)
Maximum Depth: 22m (72ft)

If you see a dive trip listed for Hin Chalarm, sign up! This is one of the best dive sites in the Pattaya Area. It’s located in the Gulf of Thailand about an hour out to sea beyond the Samae San Marine Park. Often visited in connection with Hin Yai Pinnacle it’s not a dive trip you want to miss.

At Hin Chalarm, divers are treated to one of the most vibrant marine ecosystems in the area. The site owes its name to the frequent sightings of Blacktip Reef Sharks, Bamboo Sharks, and even the occasional Whale Shark, making it a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

The dive begins around shallow rocky formations and sloping coral banks, where sea whips, sponges, and an array of hard corals create a kaleidoscope of colours. The southern side is the highlight, featuring a striking 12m (39ft) vertical wall that extends down to the seabed. This section also hides a small, cave-like inlet—a perfect spot for exploration. While not a true swim-through, the overhang offers a fun and slightly mysterious peek into the underwater world.

Marine life at Hin Chalarm is abundant and diverse, from schools of vibrant reef fish to anemones housing playful clownfish. For those seeking an unforgettable dive in the Samae San area, Hin Chalarm stands out as a must-visit site.

SAMAE SAN SHIP WRECKS – THE HARDEEP AKA SUDDHADIP. SEE OUR WRECK DIVING SECTION FOR THE FULL DETAILS ON ONE OF THAILAND’S BEST AND MOST INFAMOUS WRECK DIVE SITES.