Koh Chang Dive Sites: Wrecks, Reefs & Koh Rang

Featured image: DolphinNews, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Koh Chang dive sites at a glance

Depths below are maximums, with feet in brackets. Visibility is quoted by local operators at 5–20 m (16–66 ft) across most sites, and it swings with weather and season. Treat these figures as typical ranges, not promises. Hin Rab is spelled both Rab and Raab on local pages, and we use Hin Rab here.

Wreck dives: HTMS Chang and T11

HTMS Chang is the wreck most divers come for. The Royal Thai Navy sank it on purpose in 2012 to create an artificial reef. Maximum depth is 30 m (98 ft), so we treat it as an Advanced-level dive. Ask your operator for the exact certification rule, and read our HTMS Chang wreck guide for the full profile. T11 is the gentler option. It lies at 13–15 m (43–49 ft), and divers report snapper, batfish, angelfish, parrotfish and nudibranchs. Visibility on both wrecks is quoted at 5–20 m and 5–15 m (16–49 ft) respectively. Newer divers can start with T11 and build toward the deeper ship. PADI's certification level definitions explain what Open Water and Advanced allow.

Local reef sites, 30–40 minutes by boat

Local sites suit short days and several dives. Hin Luk Bat reaches 17 m (56 ft) and is the one we would pick if you only get one reef dive. Boulders form swim-throughs, and divers report moray eels, stingrays, pipefish and barracuda. See our Hin Luk Bat dive profile for detail. Hin Rua Tek, known as Banana Rock, tops out at 15 m (49 ft) with granite boulders and nudibranchs. Hin Rab South also reaches 15 m (49 ft) and has the most soft coral of the local sites. Hin Tai Nam, or Blueberry Hill, is shallower at 12 m (39 ft). Koh Khlum is the main island you can see from Bang Bao. It runs 8–12 m (26–39 ft) and works for training dives. Koh Mapring is 10–12 m (33–39 ft), and boats often stop there for lunch. Koh Yak (15 m, 49 ft) and Koh Laun (14 m, 46 ft) are shallow, relaxed reefs next to each other.

National park sites around Koh Rang

Boats to the national park area take about 1 hour 30 minutes each way. Expect a longer day with fewer dives than a local trip. Koh Rang Pinnacle is the deepest site in the area at 26 m (85 ft). Currents there are strong and unpredictable, so we would keep it for confident Advanced divers. Hin Kuak Ma, also called Three Finger Reef, reaches 15 m (49 ft). It has a rock wall on the south side and a coral slope behind. Koh Tien West drops to 13–15 m (43–49 ft). Storms and bleaching damaged it, and operators say it is recovering. Our Koh Rang overview covers the island itself. Check current park fees and package prices with your operator, because we have no published figure to quote.

How to choose by experience level

Match the site to your certification first, then to your appetite for a long boat day. Here is our editorial assessment by diver type.

• Mistake: booking a national park day without checking sea conditions.
• Mistake: assuming beginners can dive the wreck at 30 m.
• Mistake: treating the 5–20 m visibility range as a guarantee.

Season, visibility and currents

Quoted visibility runs 5–20 m (16–66 ft), a wide spread that shows how much conditions change. Koh Rang's currents are the biggest wildcard, so ask on the morning whether the pinnacle is safe that day. Our Koh Chang diving season guide breaks down the months. Sightings of turtles, rays or whale sharks are occasional, so plan around the site, not the animal.

Practical planning: boats, booking and costs

Boats leave from the Bang Bao area, and Bang Bao is also where you can see Koh Khlum from the pier. Book a few days ahead for wreck and Koh Rang trips, since operators run small groups. Ask four things: group size, nitrox availability, which sites are on that day's schedule, and whether the boat will turn back in rough water. Published dive prices were not available when we checked in November 2026, so request a current quote. Our Koh Chang diving hub covers operators and courses. Divers weighing another island can read about diving around Koh Kood.

Snorkeling and non-diving companions

Some operators let snorkelers ride along on dive boats. Koh Khlum and Koh Mapring both have shallow coral and a beach, which suits swimmers. Mapring also hosts Discover Scuba training on the sand. Our Koh Chang snorkeling guide lists easier alternatives. For other islands, see Koh Kood snorkeling, Koh Mak snorkeling and Koh Wai snorkeling.