Koh Phangan Island is a paradise for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, offering year-round opportunities to explore its beautiful coral reefs and exotic marine life. Here's some general information for divers and snorkelers:
General Information
- Water Temperature: The water temperature in the bay stays around +28°C year-round. Summers see air temperatures from +25°C to +32°C, while winters range from +24°C to +30°C.
- Diving Depth: Depths for diving around the island vary from 8 to 35 meters, with underwater visibility reaching up to 30 meters. The seabed is typically sandy, sometimes with rocky areas.
- Currents: The Gulf of Thailand waters experience both calm and strong currents, and thermoclines can be found in areas like the Seil Rock dive site.
Koh Phangan Dive Centers
Here is a list of popular dive centers that offer comprehensive services, including training, equipment, and medical insurance:
- Discover Scuba
- "Poseidon" (Russian-language)
- OK Club Diving Center (Russian-language)
- Sail Rock Divers
- Lotus Diving
- H2O Original
- Phangan International Diving School
- The Dive Inn
Cost of Services in Koh Phangan
For snorkeling, prices typically start at around 55 USD.
For diving, here are some approximate price ranges:
- Discover Scuba Diving: From 95 USD (includes special equipment, Russian-speaking divemaster, lunch, medical insurance, and transfer).
- Boat Diving: From 50 USD.
- Night Dive: From 88 USD.
The Most Popular Dive Sites in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan offers numerous dive sites with the convenience of English-speaking instructors, making it accessible for beginners. Dive centers also organize tours and safaris to underwater caves, nearby islets, and coral reefs.
Must-visit dive sites include:
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Ang Thong Marine Park: Ideal for beginners, with depths ranging from 15 to 25 meters and visibility up to 20 meters.
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Koh Ma: Suitable for both beginners and experienced divers, offering depths of 8 to 22 meters and visibility within 20 meters.
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Sail Rock: Suitable for CMAS/OW level divers, allowing dives up to 30 meters with visibility up to 30 meters.
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Nangyuan Island: The best snorkeling spot off Koh Phangan's coast, perfect for a family excursion.
Entertainment in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is an ideal destination for active youth vacations. In addition to diving and snorkeling, the island boasts beautiful white sand beaches and tropical jungles. You can also explore historical attractions like the Buddhist temples Wat Paa Sang Tham and Chinese Temple.
However, the biggest draw for thousands of tourists is the Full Moon Party, a massive beach party held monthly on Haad Rin Nok Beach.
How to Get There
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Quickest Route: Fly to Samui Island and then take a ferry to Tong Sala Pier.
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From the Mainland: In Surat Thani, catch a bus to the ferry bound for Koh Phangan.
The underwater world around Koh Phangan is incredibly rich, featuring caves and diverse marine life, including barracudas, whale sharks, groupers, and more.
