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Scuba diver underwater making an okay sign while exploring the seabed with corals.
📷 Diego Sandoval · Pexels

Suthep Bay

3.4 — based on 12 community signals
4.2 12 species 24 contributors

Suthep Bay offers year-round diving in Thailand with 12 recorded species and accessible conditions for most divers.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryBleachingRiskFamily-friendlyBeginner
+1 more
MacroFocus

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
Suthep Bay location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
kn
Wave
1.72 m
Water
28.9°C
Tide (7 days)
range: 2.21m

Next: High at 02:00 (+1m)

+1.6 m0 m-0.6 m
▲ 02:00 · +1m ▼ 08:00 · +0.19m ▲ 14:00 · +0.7m ▼ 19:00 · +0.23m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV— · — Air PM2.55 · good
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 1.98
09-20 1.86
09-21 1.28
09-22 1
09-23 0.86
09-24 0.86
09-25 0.76
⚠ Coral bleaching: Warning — heat stress
DHW: 3.9°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch

About this spot

Suthep Bay sits on Thailand's coast as a year-round dive destination. The site welcomes divers throughout the calendar with stable conditions that favor both new and experienced explorers. With 12 documented species observations and three community videos available, the spot has modest but growing documentation from visiting divers. The bay remains outside marine protection zones, which means fewer restrictions on access and dive operations. However, like many tropical sites in the region, Suthep Bay faces coral bleaching concerns. Divers should expect to see the effects of warming waters on reef health. Despite this, the area still attracts divers seeking to explore Thailand's shallow-water ecosystems. Conditions at Suthep Bay remain partly undocumented in formal databases—visibility, depth ranges, and water temperature data are limited. This makes the site ideal for divers who prefer exploring less-crowded, lesser-known spots. Local dive operators and community reports via video content provide the best real-time intelligence on current conditions. Check with operators near the bay for seasonal nuances and recent site conditions before booking.

📖 Guide: Diving in Thailand: 73 Sites from Whale Sharks to Shallow Reefs

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

ReefShore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B/C · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 9758km · ~2244kg · €40

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 11h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 12h east · 8 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Suthep Bay?

Suthep Bay works year-round, so you can plan dives any month. Conditions remain relatively consistent across seasons, though checking with local operators for current visibility and water state before your trip is always wise.

What depth and difficulty level is Suthep Bay?

Exact depth and difficulty data aren't formally documented for Suthep Bay. Consult with local dive shops or community videos to gauge whether the site suits your certification level and experience.

What marine life can I expect to see?

Twelve species have been documented at Suthep Bay. Community videos and local operator guides provide the best details on what fish, corals, and other creatures you're likely to encounter on a dive.

Do I need permits or special access to dive here?

Suthep Bay sits outside marine protection areas, so standard Thai diving regulations apply. Check with local operators on any local rules or fees. No special permits are typically required for recreational diving.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

23 records · 20 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Halgerda indotessellata

Gastropoda · Discodorididae
GBIF
Last seen:
11 Feb 2026
×1records

Nautilus pompilius

Cephalopoda · Nautilidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Mar 2008
×1records
Depth:
144 m

Rhincodon typus

Whale Shark
Elasmobranchii · Rhincodontidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Apr 2007
×1records

Cotonopsis phuketensis

Gastropoda · Columbellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Oct 2001
×1records

Rissoina

Gastropoda · Rissoinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Mar 1963
×2records
Depth:
58 m

Cuspidaria

Bivalvia · Cuspidariidae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Mar 1963
×1records
Depth:
58 m

Dentalium

Scaphopoda · Dentaliidae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Mar 1963
×1records
Depth:
58 m

Dosinia

Bivalvia · Veneridae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Mar 1963
×1records
Depth:
58 m

Ophiuroglypha kinbergi

Ophiuroidea · Ophiopyrgidae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Mar 1963
×1records
Depth:
58–60 m

Amphipoda

Malacostraca
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Mar 1963
×1records
Depth:
0–50 m

Capillaster multiradiatus

Crinoidea · Comatulidae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Mar 1963
×1records
Depth:
64 m

Tomopteridae

Polychaeta · Tomopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Mar 1963
×1records
Depth:
0–50 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Suthep Bay - Surin Islands

DIVE168 PHUKET

Suthep Bay, Surin Islands National Park ,THAILAND; Floating in the ocean with Eywa

Diving Taam SaBye

Dive at Koh. Waeo Island EP. 68 - 07/01/2023.

boontham chongjaingam
wind peaks Jul-Dec-Jun, calmest Mar-Oct-Apr, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Feb (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (50/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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