Diving in Koh Chang

Koh Chang is a beautiful island in the Gulf of Thailand It offers about 10 nice and varied dive- and snorkel sites, good coral reef and interesting rock dives. Most sites are suitable for diving and snorkeling. 

From Koh Chang it is also possible to go diving around the National Park Koh Rang and the island Koh Mak. With a wooden boat is takes about 1,5h minutes to the National Park and Koh Maak. This way we can offer keen divers different dive sites for multiple days. 

Some of the most interesting dive and snorkel sites are:

- Chang New wreck: The sinking of the "Chang" Navy ship has been planned for August the 16th, 2012. This will be a spectacular wreck dive, the bottom will be on 30m, and the top deck on 14m, if all goes to plan. The ship is 100 m long, making it the biggest wreck in Thailand. It will be sunk close to Hin Luk Bath, so quite close to Bang Bao. 

- Hin Luk Bath: Located around 3 km southwest of Koh Chang, this is one of the prime dive sites around Koh Chang. Hin Luk Bath is a pinnacle that offers refuge to plenty of shoaling fish. There are moray eels, stingrays, parrotfish, snappers, fusiliers, big groupers, butterfly fish, banner fish, barracuda, angelfish, and many more. On the way to the dive site we sometimes see dolphins. The pinnacle is surrounded by huge uw boulders that offer some great swim troughs… This dive site has an abundance of Christmas tree worms, which makes it very colorful. Great dive site for night diving. Depth average 11m / max 25m, and visibility varies from 3 to 20, also very good for snorkeling.

- Hin Raab South (locals call it Hin Laab): Located 5 km south of Koh Chang, this is also an underwater rock. There are actually two dive sites in this area, one is a dive around the rock, a good place to spot batfish, stonefish, porcupine fish, stingrays, moray eels, often we see big barracuda. We also had a few whale shark encounters here. There is an abundance of soft coral. The second one off to the north is a bit deeper and richer in coral and has a lovely small canyon. Here we often see rays, morays, angelfish, groupers, triggerfish, anemone fish, parrotfish, Once in a while we spot a turtle. Depth average 11 / max 16, and visibility varies from 3 to 20m, often very clear water, and good for snorkeling.

If you visit Koh Rang National park, some of the best sites are:

- Hin ga daeng (Koh Rang pinnacle): Located 1 km N-W of Koh Rang, this spectacular pinnacle is the deepest dive around Koh Rang, a great multilevel site. The rock itself has a very special structure, looks like an underwater cathedral. There are plenty of fish around it, not so much coral though.. Things to see are big barracuda, porcupine, groupers, triggerfish, turtle, nudibranches, sweet lips, and schools of batfish… The currents here can be quite strong and unpredictable, but it is certainly worth the effort! Great site for photography! Depth average 15m / max 30m and visibility 5 to30m.

- Hin Kuak Ma (or three finger rock): located about 1 km N-E of Koh Rang, this is one of the greatest dives here. The south side is a rock wall, good to spot eels, nudibranches, stone fish, etc. the backside of the rock is a slope, covered in coral, and with an abundance of fish. Sometimes we spot a bamboo shark or turtles, in every dive we see blue spotted stingrays, moray eels, blue ringed angelfish, parrotfish, etc. It's also a good snorkeling spot, if no current. Depth average 10m, max 16m.

- Koh Yak and Koh Laun: also loc about 1 km N-E of Koh Rang, in the south, these small islands are ringed with a very beautiful coral reef with a rich abundance of different coral fishes. Both islands are small enough to dive around; because of the shallow depths we have plenty of dive time. Many divers' favorite. Depth average 8 m, max 12m, and visibility 5 to 20m

The average prices in Koh Chang in Thai Baht for a Open Water Course is 14500B, Discover Scuba Dive (2 dives) 4500B, 2 fun dives Koh Chang 2700B, 2 fun dives Koh Rang 2900B.

(By Manu, manager BB divers )

Travel to Koh Chang

Koh Chang is situated in Trat, the most eastern province of Thailand. It is the second largest island of Thailand after Phuket and covers 429 square kilometer with unspoiled jungle, steep hills, cliffs, waterfalls, small streams, white sand beaches, stunning bays, beautiful temples and a great marine life. 

There are many different ways to come to Koh Chang, fast or slow, expensive or cheap. There are flights to Trat, public busses to Trat and Laemgnob, or to the ferry, and private minibuses to the ferry or to island, tour buses to the ferry, boats from the other islands, or you can also charter a taxi to reach Koh Chang. Depending on the season the schedule and price can change quite a bit, so it is wise to check with the company you plan to use beforehand. 

The best time of the year to visit Koh Chang from October until May. During this time the weather is dry, hot and sunny, the sea water clear and blue, the beaches white. But also during the green season Koh Chang is worth paying a visit for those who enjoy the great beauty of nature and can stand being rained out now and again. 

There are a lot of places to stay on Koh Chang. From low budget until luxury resort. Koh Chang offers a lot of activities for visitors such as fishing, visiting nearby islands, kayaking, jungle trekking. There is even a golf court and a BB gun shooting range and battlefield. The places White Sands and Lonely Beach have a keen night live for those who want to party or just have a nice drink.  

A scooter can be rented in most places, which make the island easier to explore independently, however the driver should have some two-wheel experience because Koh Chang has a lot of hills. 

There are many dive and snorkel sites around the area of Koh Chang. The island features beautiful clear water with many different corals and marine life.

(by Manu, manager BB Divers)