Gulf of Thailand - East

[K.Haroon]

The closest place from Bangkok on the eastern side of Gulf of Thailand is Pattaya. It is just around 2.5 hours by road. Diving here is not all that great as compared to sites further south and on the western side of Thailand but if you are based in Bangkok you can easily make a day trip. Moreover the diving is all the year around. Pattaya has become synonymous with wreck diving, but there’s certainly more to see underwater than metal. Some sites do experience some strong current making them great drift dives but unsuitable for less experienced divers. Access to any site is by boat and focused on three main areas locally known as the Near Islands, the Far Islands, and Samae San Islands. I did my Advanced and Rescue Diver certification from Aquanauts dive center in Pattaya, in Nov 2011. Last year in 2017 found out that it has been closed. Among so many dive centers in that area, the one I go with now and recommend is Real Divers.

Photo Source: thethaiger.com