Things To Do · Under the water

Scuba Diving (Koh Sak)

Updated 16 June 2026 · We visit. We don't sell placement.

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scubakoh sakbeginner

Gulf diving for beginners — tiny Koh Sak, 600 m off Koh Larn, is one of Pattaya’s easiest dive sites.

Diving “at Koh Larn” really means Koh Sak — a tiny island about 600 metres north of Koh Larn and roughly 8 km off Pattaya, around a 30-minute boat ride from Bali Hai Pier. It shelves gently from a sandy 3-metre entry to about 18 metres over a mix of hard and soft coral, which makes it one of the city’s most-used sites for PADI Discover Scuba try-dives and Open Water courses. Expect reef fish — butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish — moray eels in the rocks, and surprisingly good macro life (seahorses, nudibranchs, shrimp) for those who like hunting the sand. This is the Gulf of Thailand, so visibility is moderate and varies with the season, not the glass-clear Andaman; come for an easy, fun, close-to-the-city dive rather than a world-class reef.

How it works

Book through a licensed dive centre in Pattaya or at Bali Hai — not a beach tout. Trips leave by boat (about 30 minutes), include one or two dives at Koh Sak (sometimes adding Koh Krok or a Koh Larn stop), with gear, weights and a guide. First-timers take a Discover Scuba session: a short briefing, shallow skills, then a guided shallow dive.

Who it's for

First-time divers (Discover Scuba), anyone doing an Open Water course, and certified divers wanting an easy local dive close to the city. Not for non-swimmers — they should look at sea walking or the glass-bottom boat.

What to expect

Gentle, shallow depths over coral gardens, reef fish and good macro life, with moderate Gulf visibility that swings with weather and season. The site is small and can be busy with training groups.

Safety

Dive only with a licensed, insured centre and a certified guide. Don’t fly within 18–24 hours of diving, check your gear and certification, and watch for boat traffic on the surface. Discover Scuba dives are shallow and fully guided.

Good to know

Book a reputable PADI or SSI centre, not a beach tout
Discover Scuba needs no certification — just be a confident swimmer in reasonable health
Morning trips usually get the calmest, clearest water
Bring a towel, swimwear and motion-sickness tablets if you’re prone

For it

Easy, shallow beginner site at Koh Sak
Real coral gardens and macro life close to the city
Ideal for Discover Scuba and Open Water courses

Against it

Gulf visibility is moderate, not Andaman-clear
Must be booked as a trip, not a casual beach rental
Small site gets busy with course groups

Alternatives: Snorkeling is the free, shore-based taster. Sea walking and the glass-bottom boat suit non-divers. For top-tier reef, that’s a separate trip to the Andaman, not Koh Larn.

Where to do it

Tawaen Beach
No.3 · North-east coast

Scuba Diving (Koh Sak) FAQ

Quick answers

Can you scuba dive at Koh Larn?

Diving here really means Koh Sak, a tiny island about 600 m north of Koh Larn and one of Pattaya’s most popular beginner sites. Dive centres run boat trips from Bali Hai, often with a Koh Larn beach stop.

Is it good for first-time divers?

Yes — Koh Sak shelves gently from about 3 m to 18 m over coral, which is ideal for PADI Discover Scuba and Open Water training. You don’t need a certification for a guided try-dive.

How much does diving cost?

Roughly 2,500–4,000฿ for a Discover Scuba experience or a two-dive fun-dive trip, booked through a Pattaya dive centre. Confirm what’s included — gear, guide, boat, lunch — before you book.

Scuba Diving (Koh Sak)

How it works

Who it's for

What to expect

Safety

Good to know

Where to do it

Quick answers

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