Best diving in Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi
We are Hidden Depths Diving - Koh Lanta dive center
We are a PADI 5 Star Dive Center offering speedboat trips for diving, snorkeling, freediving, and PADI courses. Our experienced team of dive professionals will make you feel among friends while diving, with an extra emphasis on safety and environmental practices.
Our boat is one of the fastest on the island, taking you cozily to the dive spots in only 35 minutes, when most of the big boats will take around 2 hours to make it. That means we will enjoy the dives at different times than the crowds of the big boats. Having fewer people in the water and much more fun!
We are eco-friendly, awarded by PADI with the Green Star Award, which recognizes our daily effort to be in harmony with the environment in our business activities.
Koh Lanta Diving
Koh Lanta is a group of islands located in the southern part of the Andaman Sea, in Krabi province, the south of Thailand, very close to the Phi Phi islands, and relatively close to Phuket. Of all the islands that make this archipelago (around 52), Koh Lanta Yai is the largest, and where almost all the tourist activity is concentrated. Koh Lanta continues being one of the last lost paradises in Thailand, with a low tourist influx, roads without traffic, large areas declared a National Park, waterfalls, jungle walks, and uncrowded white sand beaches of up to 4 km long.
Talking about diving in Koh Lanta, without a doubt, the dive spots are the best in all of Thailand together with the Similan Islands, with the difference that, scuba diving from Koh Lanta, it is not necessary to enroll in a life-aboard trip to enjoy diving. We can go diving and come back on the same day (scuba diving daytrip).
About Koh Lanta dive sites, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang stands out above all the others, considered as the best dive sites in Thailand and one of the best dive sites in the world. Its crystal-clear waters and its soft violet coral meadows are an explosion of life that will delight any experienced diver. But what will take your breath away are the oceanic manta rays and whale sharks that frequent the area during high season and are seen regularly.
Another of the best diving spots that Koh Lanta offers is Koh Haa, a small group of 5 islands with a wide variety of dives suitable for all levels. From a spectacular shallow bay of white sand and coral for beginner divers, a series of easily accessible emerald caves, to a series of deep dives and passageways through rock formations, which will delight the most experienced divers. As for fauna, it is common to see turtles, clown fishes of various types, large moray eels, bubble coral, all kinds of colorful reef fish, rays, blacktip sharks, and even the occasional guitar shark.
From Koh Lanta, you can also visit the dive sites of the famous Phi Phi islands, as they are the same distance as Koh Haa. Diving in Koh Phi Phi include the islands Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai, located in the south of the archipelago and full of life underwater. It is common to find leopard sharks resting on the sandy bottom, also see blacktip sharks, octopuses, cuttlefish, corals of all kinds, and massive schools of trevallies. Another of the best dives in Phi Phi is the Kled Kaeo (or Kled Gaeow) wreck, 50m in length, resting at a depth of 20-26m. An ecosystem in itself that you cannot miss, it is, literally, a ball of fish. This wreck is only suitable for advanced divers.
Koh Lanta Dive Sites
Scuba Diving Conditions
During the high season, which is when the island is usually visited, diving conditions are exceptional. Always depending on the day and the dive site location, of course, but in general terms, Koh Lanta offers quiet dives, with a very good water quality and good visibility, healthy reefs full of life, moderate currents, and an average temperature of 29,3oC.
- Visibility: it can change from one day to the next, and it depends on the dive site, but in general, in most of the dives, you have a visibility of between 10m and 35m.
- Water temperature: the temperature is quite stable throughout the year, registering minimums of 28oC and maximums of 30.5o. The average is a stupendous 29.3oC, which will allow you to enjoy the dives without having to worry about being cold underwater.
- Currents: Changing throughout the diving season, but generally low or moderate, perfectly affordable for divers of all levels. In dive sites for advanced divers, such as Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, or the Kled Kaeo wreck, there are usually stronger moderate currents or even strong currents.
- Reefs: The quality and health of the reefs are excellent. The conservation effort made by the Thai authorities, diving centers, and local populations is noteworthy. Hard to see some trash or some bleached coral. A real joy to behold.
Koh Lanta´s Weather Conditions
Koh Lanta is a tropical island, and as such, it enjoys a warm, humid climate and stable temperatures throughout the year. It has two stations; The dry season and the rainy season.
- Dry season: from November to April, with a temperature between 29oC and 33oC, it rains occasionally and for a short time. The sunniest months are December, January, February, and March, which is when it rarely rains. You will enjoy hotter days and excellent diving conditions.
- Rainy season: from May to October, with a temperature between 22oC and 28oC, it rains regularly and abundantly, especially during the afternoon hours. The weather is warm, but a couple of degrees cooler than during the dry season. You can also dive without a problem, although the wave conditions and visibility will be somewhat worse.
Koh Lanta Diving Season - Best time to come to Koh Lanta
The best time to diving Koh Lanta is between November and April, when diving conditions are perfect. Also, these months coincide with the migratory season of the oceanic manta rays, which can be seen regularly in Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, and of the whale sharks, which are found in all the dive sites of Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi, although there are more likely to meet them on Koh Lanta.
The Koh Lanta National Marine Park opens on October 15th and remains open until April 15th. Phi Phi National Marine Park remains open year-round. So, remember; Scuba diving in Koh Lanta National Park is only possible half year, and scuba diving in Phi Phi National Park is possible during the whole year.
Snorkeling in Koh Lanta
If you are not interested in scuba diving, you can also enjoy an amazing day of snorkeling at different dive spots around Koh Lanta or Koh Phi Phi. Special mention should be made of the snorkeling spots of Koh Haa, Koh Rok, and Bida Nok, some of the best snorkeling spots in all of Thailand.
You will enjoy calm and shallow waters, with reefs full of life where you can see all kinds of corals, fish, and even sharks. Don´t worry about anything, because you will always be accompanied by a professional guide, for your safety, comfort, and so that you do not miss anything. It is a perfect experience to introduce the little ones to the underwater world. It is also a highly recommended activity for families or groups in which only a few dives, but want to spend the day together enjoying the natural wonders that the island offers.
Koh Lanta Freediving
Koh Lanta is one of the best places in Thailand to practice or learn freediving, its dive sites offer perfect conditions for it, also, freediving sites are very different from each other, providing a lot of fun for all levels of freedivers, from the crystal-clear and shallow waters of Koh Haa and Koh Bida bays, for beginners, to the towering remains of the Kled Kaeo (or Kled Gaeow) wreck, Phi Phi’s best freediving site. Other remarkable Koh Lanta freediving spots are the incredible emerald caves and the many passageways of Koh Haa. Without a doubt, an unforgettable experience for lovers of freediving.
If you are interested in doing a freediving excursion, or you want to take a freediving course in Koh Lanta, get in touch with us and we will provide you with all the info. We will design the diving course or freediving day trip to suit you. Our freediving instructors are PADI and AIDA professionals with a lot of experience behind them.
Don’t think twice and contact us!
Koh Lanta Diving Courses
Hidden Depths Diving we are a PADI 5 Star Diving Center, a guarantee of the highest quality in diving courses and recognized worldwide. We offer PADI diving courses of all levels; Introductory diving experiences as PADI Discovery Scuba Diving, courses for beginners such as the PADI Open Water Diver, intermediate courses such as the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or the PADI Rescue Diver, and also professional diving courses, such as the PADI Divemaster or the PADI IDC Instructor Course.
Book your dives online
Book your dives online at least one week in advance and get a 10% discount!
Koh Lanta Best Dive Center
Our shop is located in Saladan, in the north of the island, and it´s very easy to find us, because we are right on the same street where the ferries and speedboats arrive.
Our diving center is small, familiar, and with a very special work philosophy; We want you to enjoy the dives to the fullest, and make you feel among friends. Well, after all, diving is about sharing unforgettable experiences, making new friends, and visiting incredible places around the world.
As far as safety is concerned, don’t worry about a thing. We have very high safety standards and a team of well-trained professionals with long experience in the world of diving. Our groups of divers rarely exceed 4 people per instructor, so you can enjoy a fully personalized experience at your pace and capabilities.
We have a beautiful Speedboat that makes us the fastest on the island, that will transport you comfortably to the best diving spots around Ko Lanta. Being that fast, we go diving a little later than the rest of the diving companies (they take 2 hours to arrive, we only 35 minutes) so you can enjoy the bed for a little longer. Even so, we are the first to reach the dive sites, which makes us enjoy the entire area to ourselves before the heavy dive boats arrive.
You can also enjoy our beautiful terrace built on the water, where we will serve freshly made lunch, and you can enjoy spectacular views while chatting with your adventure buddies.
Conservation
We are the only eco-friendly dive center of all Koh Lanta dive shops, and we are very proud to be it. The conservation of natural spaces and diving areas in a sustainable way is a priority for the entire Hidden Depths Diving team. So much that PADI has awarded us the Green Star Award, which recognizes our efforts in protecting the marine environment and developing environmentally friendly diving activities.
All our instructors dive following the guidelines set by Green Fins, to be sure that we cause the least possible impact on the ecosystem. We also have several active recycling programs, we don’t use air conditioning in our facilities, we participate in various conservation programs, we support many local and international organizations, and give several education and awareness talks at our center completely free of charge.
So now you know, by diving with Hidden Depths Diving, you will not only be enjoying your passion, but you will also be helping to conserve the natural treasures that you visit. If in addition to scuba diving, you care about conservation, this is the best diving center you can find in Koh Lanta.
How to get to Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is located in the south of Krabi province, 60 km from its airport. Getting to the island is very simple, and it can be done in several ways. Here we leave you a summary so that you have a slight idea, if you want to know how to get to Koh Lanta in-depth, please visit our Get to Koh Lanta section.
By road - driving to Koh Lanta:
The most common way is to arrive by road from the airport of Krabi, Trang, or even Phuket. The cheapest way to get to Koh Lanta is by minibus or sharing a minivan, you can hire this service directly at the airport, in Krabi Town, or through a tourist agency. You can also choose to hire a private taxi service, or rent a car with or without a driver.
By sea - by Ferry or Speedboat:
It is also possible to reach Koh Lanta by sea. There is a wide range of transport by Ferry or Speedboats that will allow you to get to Koh Lanta easily from most of the surrounding islands, such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Ao Nang, Kho Lipe, or Koh Jum. Some ferry routes are only available during the high season, as during the rainy season, the number of tourists drops considerably.
By Plane:
Koh Lanta does not have airport, so it´s not possible to arrive directly by plane. The closest airports are Krabi, located 60 km away, and Trang airport, located 110 km away.
Where to stay in Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta has a very varied hotel offer, so it won’t cost you much to find accommodation that suits your needs. From luxurious 5-star resorts where you can spend a few dream-days, to inexpensive bamboo cabins, very popular among backpackers.
Prices depend a lot on the area of the island, the amenities, and the time of the season. The best thing you can do is take a look at booking.com, Agoda, or any similar website to check the room prices and availability on the dates of your stay on the island: Booking.com/kohlanta
If you prefer, we can advise or help you with the reservation of your accommodation in Koh Lanta. In the following link, we have prepared a selection of hotels that are of our total confidence, and which are the ones that we recommend the most to our clients for their value for money, facilities, services, and location: https://hiddendepthsdiving.com/accommodation/
Koh Lanta FAQs
We have prepared a series of frequently asked questions and short answers about the island, and diving in Koh Lanta. With them, we hope you can get a better idea of what life is like in this little piece of Thai paradise. But, if you have any other questions that we have not answered, we encourage you to send us a message through our contact form, email, or any of our social networks.
How many days do you need to diving in Koh Lanta?
4 days of diving are perfect to know the most important dive sites of Koh Lanta; One day to visit Koh Haa, others to go to the famous Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, a third day to visit the famous Koh Bidas, and a fourth to dive in the Phi Phi area and hallucinate with the Kled Kaeo Wreck.
Of course, we have dive sites to keep you entertained for a whole week, but we consider that in these four days you can dive the essentials of Koh Lanta and Phi Phi.
How long should you stay in Koh Lanta?
Whether you are a diver or not, 10 is the magic number. Apart from diving, Koh Lanta offers a large number of activities, almost all related to nature. You have a lot of spectacular beaches to visit, you can take a walking or cycling excursion to the Khlong Chak Falls, take Thai cooking classes near the beach, treat yourself to a massage, visit Old Town and enjoy the views offered by the cafes located on the cliffs of the east coast, or go down to the southern tip of the island and take some incredible photos in the National Park.
Can you dive all year-round in Koh Lanta?
Yes, you can dive in Koh Lanta all year round, but with some restrictions during the low season.
During the high season, from October 15th to April 15th, it’s possible to visit all the dive sites around Koh Lanta, and we organize diving excursions daily.
During the low season, from April 16thth to October 14th, being a marine reserve, Koh Lanta National Park remains closed for recovery. During this period it´s only possible to visit the dive sites of Koh Bida and the Phi Phi Islands. Due to the lower number of tourists during the low season, and the weather conditions are not ideal, we organize diving excursions on demand, which are usually every two or three days.
What is the best dive spot on Koh Lanta?
The world-famous Hin Daeng and Hin Muang dive sites are, without a doubt, the best dive sites in Koh Lanta and all of Thailand. These are two rock formations located in the south of Koh Lanta National Park, isolated in the middle of the blue and far from any human settlement.
The explosion of life is such that sometimes you will not know where to look first! Its soft purple corals and deep red fan corals are home to a large number of reef fish, turtles, and nudibranchs. But the highlight is the huge oceanic manta rays (up to 4m wide) that are regularly seen in the area and the imposing whale sharks that frequent these dive spots, who do not hesitate to take a closer look when you cross their path.
Hands down the best diving experience in Thailand. If you want to know more, consult this section of our website: Hin Daeng – Hin Muang.
What is the best dive site in Koh Lanta for beginners?
Koh Lanta’s best dive spot for beginners is Koh Haa, especially the area known as Koh Haa Lagoon; A shallow area, generally protected from most ocean currents, that is perfect for starting in the world of diving. The seabed slop down little by little from about 2 meters to 12, where we will find sandy areas dotted with rocks and coral reefs. It´s very common to find sea turtles feeding on their favorite coral, the bubble coral.
Also noteworthy is the bay of Koh Bida Nok, with very similar characteristics, located south of the Phi Phi islands, and with a magnificent coral reef
Cheapest diving Koh Lanta prices
Koh Lanta diving prices are slightly higher than other sites in Thailand, and the reason is none other than the distance at which the dive sites are located. To reach them, the boats have to spend much more fuel per trip than the average, this is what increases the price of diving in Koh Lanta. This price increase is more than worth by the quality of the dives; The fact that the dive spots are so isolated means that life on the reefs is not greatly affected by human activity, in addition to that all dives are carried out within the marine reserves protected by the Thai government. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are one of the few remaining Oceanic Manta sanctuaries in Thailand, and once you dive on these islands, you’ll see that they worth it for the price difference.
The prices of diving in Koh Lanta are practically the same in all diving centers, the only difference that exists depends on the type of boat you choose to go diving. Most of the island’s dive boats are large slow boats (it takes 2 hours each way to most dive sites, and almost 4 hours each way to Hin Daeng / Hin Muang). We have a Speedboat, which is the most advisable option, since it takes us only 35 minutes to reach most dive sites, and only 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Hin Daeng / Hin Muang.
Diving Koh Lanta Prices
| DIVE SITE | BIG BOAT | SPEEDBOAT |
| Koh Haa | 3.300 THB | 3.500 THB |
| Koh Bida | 3.300 THB | 3.500 THB |
| Koh Phi Phi – Kled Kaeo Wreck | 3.300 THB | 3.500 THB |
| Hin Daeng – Hin Muang | 4.500 THB | |
| Koh Rok | 4.500 THB |
Book your dives online at least one week in advance and get a 10% discount! Book your dives now!
Diving before flying - can you fly after scuba diving?
To give as complete an answer as possible, we first have to answer another question: Why wait to fly after diving? If you are reading this, chances are you are already a certified diver and know the answer, but it never hurts to review the theory.
The answer is pure diving physics; While we dive, we accumulate in our body a residual nitrogen load that, depending on several factors, such as the number, depth, and duration of the dives, or our physical condition, it will take approximately 12 to 24 hours to eliminate from our body.
If we fly before this period, we risk flying with a load of residual nitrogen in our organism. The problem is that, when we fly, the cabin of the plane has a lower pressure than what we experience at sea level. With less pressure, more expansion, and we run the risk that this residual gas expands in our body causing symptoms of decompression sickness, which can be mild or severe, depending on each person and the residual nitrogen load.
Now we can move on to the million-dollar question; How long do you have to wait to be able to fly after diving?
As a general rule, we will say that the ideal situation is to wait, at least, 24 hours before flying. However, studies carried out by DAN (Divers Alert Network) give us somewhat shorter and more specific times depending on the amount and type of dives carried out by the diver:
- 12 hours of minimum waiting time on the surface if you have only made a single dive without decompression.
- 18 hours of minimum waiting time on the surface if you have made more than one dive in a day or more than one consecutive diving day.
- More than 18 hours of minimum waiting time on the surface if you have made a dive with a decompression stop.
* These recommendations only apply to recreational diving. They are not valid for professional, technical, or Nitrox diving.
Is Koh Lanta expensive?
We all know that spending holidays in Thailand is cheaper than in many other countries of the world. If we narrow it down a bit more and compare Koh Lanta with other places inside Thailand as the nearby islands, we will tell you that spending a few days in Koh Lanta is cheaper than our famous neighboring Phi Phi islands, and cheaper than Phuket. Compared to other places in Thailand as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, or Pai, Koh Lanta is a bit more expensive. But the concept of expensive or cheap is very subjective, it all depends on your lifestyle and the comforts you want to enjoy on your trips. What we can assure you, is that in Koh Lanta there is a wide range of options for all budgets, from cozy and inexpensive bamboo bungalows, to resorts of the highest level, worthy of a king. Food, alcohol, and taxis have standard prices, the same as anywhere else in Thailand.
Can I drive to Koh Lanta?
Yes, it is possible to drive to Koh Lanta, in fact, it is the most used method to cross to the islands Koh Lanta Yai to Koh Lanta Noi from Krabi province. Once you arrive at the port of Hua Hin, you will need to use the ferry service to be able to cross the car to Lanta Noi, the price is 100 Baht per car + 20 Baht for each person, and in around 20 minutes, you will have crossed to the islands.
The islands of Lanta Noi and Lanta Yai are connected by a bridge, so you can drive without a problem to your destination. This ferry service is available from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM during high season. Although if you need to cross later than this time, there is a private service that you can use for about 2500 Baht.
Koh Lanta or Ko Lanta?
The most common term is “Koh Lanta”, although both forms are correct. The words “Koh” and “Ko” mean “island” in Thai. The “Koh” version is the most widespread, but only for aesthetic reasons. On the other hand, the word “Lanta” is just the name of our beloved island.
How to get around Koh Lanta?
The most recommended option to get around Koh Lanta is to rent a motorcycle. First, for the price, the cost to rent a scooter in Koh Lanta is around 250 or 300 baht a day you will cover all your trips. And second, because of the freedom that the motorcycle gives you, being able to access the most remote beaches without having to worry about finding transportation back or the time of day or night.
Koh Lanta is an island that can be traveled from north to south in just 45 minutes by motorcycle. It has good paved roads, very little traffic, and many beaches, restaurants, and little shops where you can stop as you go. On the island there are two gas stations, but every 200m you will find a stand where you sell gasoline for the motorcycle, much more expensive, of course, so try to fill up the tank at the gas station whenever you can.
For those who don’t dare to drive a motorcycle, the best option is to use the island’s tuk-tuk and taxi service. Their rate varies but is around 50 Baht per beach distance and person. And you can find them almost everywhere along the main roads of Koh Lanta.
If you are fit, you can rent a bike. We love this means of transport because it´s the most ecological and cheapest of all. But, and this is very important, be careful with the hottest hours, the climate of Koh Lanta is really hot in high season, and you can suffer a heat stroke. Try to carry enough supply of water.
Finally, you have the option of renting a car, with which you can move comfortably enjoying the air conditioning, but at a fairly high price, which we do not know if it compensates to move around the island.
Are there taxis on Koh Lanta?
Yes, there are taxis in Koh Lanta. There is no public transport service, nor regulated taxi service, but you can find private taxis all over the island and at almost any time. From classic 3-wheel motorcycles to huge vans with capacity for many people.
Is there grab in Koh Lanta?
Unfortunately, there is no Grab service on Koh Lanta. But there is an alternative; The app “Lanta Now” (www.lanta-now.com) that does the Grab Taxi functions and, you can also order food delivery. This is a project that has just been released, but is having a very good acceptance among visitors and residents of the island.
Follow us to be updated!
If you are interested in the world of diving and ecology, you plan to come to dive to Koh Lanta, or you do not want to miss any of our adventures, follow us on your favorite social networks.
We are very active, constantly publishing all kinds of content related to diving in Koh Lanta, PADI diving courses, and news about eco-sustainability and marine ecosystems conservation.
Also, with the simple gesture of following us on social networks, you will be contributing to spread our eco diving message around the world.
Social networks are a direct communication channel with us, where you can comment on any suggestion, question, or comment, which we will be happy to answer.
In Hidden Depths Diving we firmly believe that an eco-responsible diving model is possible. We strive every day to offer you a different, familiar, environmentally friendly, safe, and fun diving experience. Where you will feel part of a great family of divers who, in addition to enjoying diving, we fight so that future generations can enjoy the same wonders that we dive today.