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The Dome

3.5 — based on 14 community signals
4.3 12 species 32 contributors

The Dome is a year-round dive destination in Thailand with accessible diving and documented marine biodiversity.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
BleachingRiskPhotoFriendlyFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Common octopus

Map

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

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
17.1 kn
Wave
1.96 m
Water
28.8°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: WSW (25%)
Now: WSW (240°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 2.08m

Next: High at 02:00 (+0.97m)

+1.6 m0 m-0.5 m
▲ 02:00 · +0.97m ▼ 08:00 · +0.21m ▲ 14:00 · +0.67m ▼ 19:00 · +0.24m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.35 · mod Air PM2.56 · good 06:18 18:26
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 19.6 2.3 5 28mm
09-20 15.5 2.12 9 22mm
09-21 8.6 1.38 8 8mm
09-22 7.5 1.08 8 7mm
09-23 7.6 0.92 2 15mm
09-24 6.9 0.92 1 11mm
09-25 7.3 0.8 2 1mm
🚨 Coral bleaching: Alert Level 1 — active bleaching
DHW: 4.4°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch

About this spot

The Dome offers Thai diving year-round, making it a reliable option for divers planning trips without seasonal pressure. The site supports 12 documented species observations, indicating stable marine life activity and good potential for marine encounters. Community videos from the spot provide reference material for trip planning and site familiarization before arrival. The site sits outside a Marine Protected Area, so standard Thai diving regulations apply. Divers should verify local conditions and any recent updates through dive operators or the Thai authorities before booking. Water conditions and depth details vary, so arrive with flexible expectations and communicate directly with local guides about site layout. The area shows coral bleaching alert status, which means some coral recovery or stress may be visible. This doesn't rule out good diving—coral resilience varies by species and microhabitat. Bring an underwater camera or attend with a dive operator who offers video services; the three existing community videos suggest the spot photographs well and attracts repeat visitors.

📖 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

Marine life

Common octopus

Dive types

Reef

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 ↔ 9786km · ~2251kg · €41

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

What's the best time to dive The Dome?

Year-round diving is possible at The Dome, so timing is flexible. Confirm seasonal weather and swell with local Thai dive operators before booking, as monsoon patterns still affect sea state and visibility despite year-round access.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty data for The Dome are not currently documented. Contact local dive shops in Thailand for site-specific details. Bring your certification card and honestly assess your experience with the guide.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species have been observed and documented at The Dome. Expect reef fish, and potentially larger pelagics depending on season and current. Community videos offer visual previews of what previous divers have encountered.

Do I need permits or special access?

The Dome is not inside a Marine Protected Area, so standard Thai diving applies. You'll need a valid dive certification and may need to arrange a guide or join an operator. Check with Thai authorities or dive shops for any local rules or entry fees.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

9 records · 8 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Rhincodon typus

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

Mobula birostris

Elasmobranchii · Mobulidae
OBIS
Last seen:
21 Feb 2006
×1records

Rhincodon typus

Whale Shark
Elasmobranchii · Rhincodontidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Feb 2003
×1records

Amphimedon

Demospongiae · Niphatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
22 Mar 1991
×1records

Uroteuthis singhalensis

Cephalopoda · Loliginidae
OBIS
Last seen:
12 Mar 1991
×1records

Paleanotus

Polychaeta · Chrysopetalidae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Feb 1981
×1records

Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) purpurea

Ophiuroidea · Ophiotrichidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 1979
×1records
Depth:
17 m

Dactylosaster cylindricus

Asteroidea · Ophidiasteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
8 Nov 1963
×1records
Depth:
1 m

Ophiothela mirabilis

Ophiuroidea · Ophiotrichidae
OBIS
Last seen:
Invalid Date
×1records

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.

Great Barracuda Shoal in Thailand| Koh Tachai The Dome Dive Site | liveaboard trip| 4K underwater

The Dive Log
💬 1 top comments
  • Awesome

    @adamcollinge9021 · 👍 2

Richelieu Rock, The Dome (2), Andaman Sea, Thailand

Dirx diving

Diving in Andaman Sea, Thailand: Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon & The Dome - Mar'26. HUGE schools of fish!

Graham Parslow
💬 1 top comments
  • Nice video, thanks for sharing - Great to see all the action you got on the dives! We're ready to go back now!

    @Aaron.and.Cassie · 👍 0
wind peaks Jul-Jun-Sep, 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: Oct (100/100) Worst: Dec (0/100) Now: Sep (58/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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