Thailand’s Pimalai Resort & Spa offers group and private charters to fascinating dive locations and shipwrecks in Koh Lanta for beginner and advanced divers.

Koh Lanta, in the South Andaman Sea, provides access to numerous dive sites year-round with the PADI-accredited Lanta Diver, which operates Pimalai’s Dive Centre. From November 2024 to April 2025, guests have the option of the Lanta Diver boat pick-up from Pimalai’s beachfront, subject to weather, tide, and wave levels.

Koh Haa is the most popular location for snorkelling and diving at all levels. Koh Haa and Koh Bida are recommended for open-water divers, while Hing Daeng/Hing Muang is the preferred location for advanced divers.

Thai National Parks will close Koh Lanta Marine Park from 1 July to 31 August 2024 for annual marine conservation. However, during this period, dives are offered at Bida islands, Phi Phi islands, and shipwrecks—Kled Kaew and Koh—all accessible year-round, subject to weather conditions.

When Koh Lanta Marine Park reopens on 1 September 2024, additional diving will be available at Koh Haa, Hin Daeng/Hin Muang and Koh Rok.

Koh Haa is famous for the Cathedral, where divers can explore two large caverns and stunning coral walls, mingle with schooling fish, and experience unusual aquatic life.  A beautiful lagoon provides a protected area for diving and snorkelling and is suitable for all levels and ages.

Hin Daeng/Hin Muang (Red Rock/Purple Rock) is probably the most famous and spectacular site accessible from Koh Lanta as a day trip recommended for advanced divers who have recently dived. These giant pinnacles offer dramatic underwater scenery, with steep walls covered in soft red and purple corals dropping down to 60 metres as Giant Manta Rays and Whale Sharks glide past.

The Koh Rok islands feature soft, white sandy beaches, lush trees, and clear waters suitable for all dive levels. Marine life includes schools of Snapper, Moray eels, Powder blue surgeon fish, Clownfish (Nemo), and Turtles. 

Koh Bida Nok/Nai and Hin Bida are in the Phi Phi National Marine Park, easily accessible from Koh Lanta. The Bida islands offer diving with pelagic fish surrounding the reefs, often seen hunting the smaller glassfish, and for spotting sharks, including Black Tips and Leopard Sharks.

The Koh Maa shipwreck park, designed to promote conservation and environmental awareness and encourage existing ecosystems, offers diving to 11 purposely sunk ships at another location. Kled Keow, a former Thailand Navy support vessel, also presents a fascinating spectacle. Divers are encouraged to observe how nature begins to engulf everything in its path in and around the vessels, with baby corals and schools of fish establishing themselves where once there was nothing.

Pimalai Resort & Spa is offering Early Bird Promotions with discounts of up to 20 per cent commencing at THB4885 per night for travel until 31 October 2024 and THB8490 from 1 November 2024, including daily breakfast and a roundtrip Krabi Airport transfer for two people.

The Unique Tourism Collection represents Pimalai Resort & Spa in Australia and New Zealand.

Contact Svetlana Jovanovic svetlana@uniquetourism.com or www.pimalai.com.