Diving Koh Rin Island Pattaya
Thailands Best Dive Sites
Discover one of the most underrated dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Rin Island. This hidden diving spot is among the Pattaya Islands and one of the best dive sites in the Thailand. Renowned for its clear warn blue waters, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine life, diving in Pattaya at Koh Rin offers an unforgetable experience for both novice and seasoned divers. This far island off the coast of Pattaya boasts four unique diving spots, each teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and the occasional shark. Whether you’re seeking serene underwater landscapes or thrilling marine encounters, Koh Rin is the ultimate destination for scuba diving in Thailand.
This Why We Love Diving Pattaya Thailand - Koh Rin
Filmed by Andrew Jennings & Dan The Man Jansen
Koh Rin Far Island Dive Site Cluster
Located 10 km south of Koh Lan, and approx 1hr 20mins from Pattaya beach, Koh Rin is the final large islet in the Far Islands Pattaya chain. Its surrounding dive sites extend to nearby North Rock and South Rock, providing an array of underwater experiences. These sites are known as some of the best diving in Pattaya for their impressive coral formations, rocky outcrops, and abundant marine life, making diving in Pattaya an unforgettable scuba adventure.
Koh Rin Bay Dive Site:
Dive Site Name: Koh Rin
Location: Pattaya Far Islands The last large islet of the Far Island chain
Conditions: Nov / March outstanding
Visibility: 8m (16ft) to 20m (65ft)
Avg depth: 8m (25ft) – 12m (40ft)
Maximum depth: 22m (72ft)
Marine Life: School of Fuliser Fish, barracuda, Sea turtles, puffer fish, Bamboo Sharks, occasional blacktip reef shark. Sting rays, nudibranchs and morays.
Dive Site Overview
The diving spot called Koh Rin, simply referred to as it name, is usually when people are talking about the main reef, which is on the front of the island, with a Max depth of approx 22 meters and a Min depth 5 meters. You find the thickest reef growth around the 8-12m mark.
Dive site best spots:
Anemone Gardens near the drop off, South point of Reef ( pristine stag horns and coral covered rocks with colourful gregorian seafans about 6 to 8m deep perfect for vibrant underwater photography. Deep Reef: Down around 18-22m there are rocky ledges scattered down the sandbar where soft bioluminesant soft coral grow, stingray litter the sands and easy to find bamboo sharks sleep below the ledges, where you dont find a shark you are likey to find a moray eel instead.
Type of site: Coral reefs, rocky outcrops, sandy bays Level: Suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced divers Conditions: Generally protected from prevailing winds, with calm and clear water Average Visibility: 10 meters to 20 meters
Koh Rin South Dive Site
- Location: South-facing bay extending towards the island’s northern point
- Conditions: Protected from prevailing winds, ideal for drift dives
- Visibility: 10m (33ft) to 25m (82ft)
- Average Depth: 6m (20ft) – 14m (45ft)
- Maximum Depth: 18m (60ft)
- Marine Life: Snappers, yellowtail barracudas, batfish, angelfish, bamboo sharks, eagle rays, and occasionally whale sharks.
Koh Rin South offers divers the choice of exploring the sheltered bay or venturing along the reef’s rocky lip where it is great for spotting Nudibranch and other macro life. The site is popular for drift dives, providing a dynamic underwater experience with opportunities to spot eagle rays or, with luck, a whale shark.
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South Rock - Koh Rin
Location: South of the main Koh Rin Island
Conditions: Variable, less protected from currents
Visibility: 10m (33ft) to 25m (82ft)
Average Depth: 10m (30ft) – 18m (60ft)
Maximum Depth: 20m (65ft)
Marine Life: Snapper schools, groupers, bluespotted rays, white-eyed moray eels, and occasionally eagle rays and whale sharks.
Dive Site Overview
South Rock is a dive site near Koh Rin just a few minutes from the south tip. The least visited dive site and offers encounters with larger pelagic sea life such as Whale Sharks and Eagle Rays. South Rock is best suited for advanced divers due to its exposure to stronger currents. Its relatively untouched marine environment offers abundant wildlife and a chance to encounter rare species.
This small rocky island is easily circumnavigated when drifting, but it’s best to stick to the eastern point for deeper waters and impressive rocky formations with drop-offs. Its compact size offers minimal shelter from currents and winds. Advanced divers will find the currents exciting, while Open Water divers might prefer to avoid this site unless conditions are ideal.
North Rock - Koh Rin
Dive Site Name: North Rock
Location: North of the main island
Conditions: Typically good
Visibility: 10m (33ft) to 25m (82ft)
Avg Depth: 12m (40ft) – 18m (60ft)
Max Depth: 20m (65ft)
Marine Life: Batfish, barracuda, bamboo sharks, and occasional whale sharks.
Dive Site Overview
North Rock, a larger satellite island near Koh Rin, offers two distinct dive sites: the side facing Koh Rin and the backside. Divers typically start by exploring the front fringing coral reef, which begins at around 5 meters and slopes down to about 18 meters. For a deeper dive, venture around to the right, where the reef leads to a small bay on the island’s backside, home to stunning coral formations and a unique sunken motorbike.
The marine life here is abundant, with schools of barracuda mingling with damsels and wrasse. A resident school of batfish adds to the vibrant scene, alongside giant groupers, angelfish, bluespotted rays, and nudibranchs. White-eyed moray eels are common, and lucky divers may even spot a whale shark passing by.
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Marine Life at Koh Rin Highlights
Koh Rin is a vibrant underwater paradise, brimming with diverse marine life. From shimmering schools of fish to majestic sea turtles, the island offers a rich tapestry of species for divers to discover. Here are some of the highlights:
Fusilier Fish
These agile fish, with their striking blue and yellow hues, are often seen in large schools around the rocks in the bay and near the Anemone Gardens. To capture their synchronized movements, use ambient light for photography.
Great Barracudas
Sleek and streamlined, these formidable predators are frequently spotted in the shallower sections of Koh Rin Bay or near the drop-offs at North Rock. Their fierce look and distinct black tips make them a thrilling sight for divers.
Sea Turtles
Both adult and juvenile hawksbill turtles are a common sight, often feeding on sponges in the shallow reefs of Koh Rin Bay and around 6-8 meters south. They can also be found near the deeper rocky outcrops at North Rock.
Bamboo Sharks
These small, nocturnal sharks with their distinctive brown markings typically rest under rocky ledges in the deeper parts of Koh Rin Bay, South Rock, and North Rock.
Stingrays
Graceful and often found on sandy seabeds or under coral, divers will encounter both common stingrays and bluespotted rays across Koh Rin’s dive sites.
Whale Sharks
Though rare, these gentle giants occasionally visit the deeper waters near the drop-offs and corners of South Rock or North Rock, especially from November to March. Divers venturing into the blue may get lucky and spot one as it migrates through.
Nudibranch
Koh Rin reef and the Northrock are a haven for Sea Slug Lovers! You can all the popular Most Common Nudibranch in Pattaya at Koh Rin Island and some rare one too!
Koh Rin offers a dynamic underwater experience, where every dive brings the potential for unforgettable marine encounters.
Ko Rin Need to Know FAQs
What is the best season to dive Ko Rin?
A: Ko Rins conditions are pretty good all year round but the best season is November to March offering the best conditions. Clear visibility and calm seas should give 18 -20m+ visibility, and water temperatures should be comfortable at 28°C to 30°C.
Is Koh Rin suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, there are dive sites suitable for all levels, including beginners.
How to get to Koh Rin?
You can book a dive trip with a dive centre in Pattaya such as the Pattaya Dive Centre, Seafari or Pattaya Scuba Adventures all visit this dive site fair often, especially over high season.
What are the underwater rockets shells found at Koh Rin?
While diving at Rin Island and around South Rock you may see some rocket shells underwater. These are training ammunitions fired by the Thai Navy. Please do not pick them up for photographs or god forbit try and take one home with you. They do not contain explosives but they still have a denotator charge which sometimes isn’t triggered so just look and don’t touch and you’ll be fine.
Is it possible to explore Koh Rin on land?
Officially no. The island is uninhabited and guarded by the Thai Navy. Sometimes you may see people on the island but know they are trespassing so if you want a hassle-free holiday don’t copy them.
