Samaesarn - Sattahip

Samaesarn - Sattahip
Diving Type Boat Diving, Drift Diving, Wreck Diving
Level Beginner, Experience Diver
Depth 5 - 30 m.
Visibility 3 - 15 m.
Current None - Strong
Water Temp 26 - 31 OC
Dive Site Samaesan: Hardeep Wreck, Japanese Garden, Ko Chuang, Ko Chan, Ko Rong Khon, Ko Rong Nang, Shark Point, Hin Lak-bet, Rock Garden
Sattahip: Petchburi Bremen Wreck, Ko Ei Ra, Ko Ei Lao, Hin Ta, Hin Yai
Season All seasons, but during July - September, there may be rain and wind waves on some days.
Highlight - If you are a sea slug lover, this place is for you. According to citizen science’s database in the Sea Slug Thailand Group, there have been over 150 species of sea slugs found here.

- It’s also a paradise for clownfish lovers, especially the false clown anemonefish (aka. Nemo), which is normally a species rarely found in the Gulf of Thailand.

- Two new soft coral species of the world were discovered here, Chironephthya sirindhornae and Chironephthya cornigera.

- Whale sharks can be seen. Even the rarer bull sharks have been reported at the Suthathip wreck in February 2022.

- Other interesting animals include stingrays, sea turtles, xeno crabs, barracudas, cleaner pipefish, seahorses, etc

General Info

It is a group of islands off the coast of Sattahip under the supervision of the Royal Thai Navy. Samaesan is the largest island among many islets where diving spots are located. It’s a place where many dive schools take their students to practice their skills.

There are no accommodations on the islands, but on the mainland there are many options. There are also seafood markets from local fishermen.

Apart from diving activities, there are many places you can visit in the area, for example, the Natural History Museum, which is in the same area as the boat ticket sales point to Koh Samaesan and Koh Kham. Not far from there, there is the largest clownfish farm in Thailand, which has an exhibition zone open to the public. To the north at Tien Talay Beach, there is "Sea Turtle Conservation Center" run by the Royal Thai Navy, which has exhibition zones, a nursery area for releasing into the wild, and rescue and rehabilitation center.

Caution

Many dive sites in this area have a strong current, especially at the tip of the cape and the water channel. Divers should plan to dive during neap tides and always have SMB with you as there are many boats around.

Dive Site (Detail)

Hardeep Wreck: It was a cargo ship that was later summoned by the Royal Thai Navy to serve in the Greater East Asia War. One day it was bombed by Allied aircraft and caught fire until it sank into the channel between Koh Rong Khon and Koh Chuang in 1945.
This site is renowned for its strong current, sometimes extremely strong. Divers are required to be experienced divers and have to plan the dives carefully. Neap tide, when the highest tide and lowest tide are not very far apart, is the best time since it’s the time that current is less strong. Additionally, there should be a dive leader who knows the area thoroughly and knows where to avoid the current.

Hin San Chalarm (Hin Lak Bed): It is known as the most beautiful diving spot in this area. There are colorful soft corals, sea fans and schools of fish around the island.  Sea turtles are often seen. Maximum depth is 28 meters.

West of Samaesan: As one of the best dive sites for muck diving, there are various species of sea slugs, such as Phestilla viei, Costasiella spp. (aka. Sea Sheep), Janolus flavoanulatus, Doto sp., etc.

Koh Chuang: Maximum depth is 18 meters. There are coral reefs on the southern part of the island. Sea turtles and stingrays are often around. Clownfish are abundant.

Koh Chan : Maximum depth is 12 meters. Blacktip reef sharks are often found in the shallow area. There are many types of clownfish. Coral reefs are most abundant in the south, but the current at this point is quite strong.

Koh Rong Khon - Koh Rong Nang: Maximum depth is 25 meters. It is another popular dive site in this area.

Phetchaburi Bremen Wreck: It is a German steamship before World War I. After World War I had ended, the royal Thai navy seized ships of war-lost countries, including this one, and changed the name to "Kaew Samut Ship". But in 1920, a fire broke out on the ship and it sank.

Today, the ship sits at a depth of 22 meters and serves as home to diverse kinds of marine life such as tusk fish, marble rays, etc. Large sea turtles are known to visit regularly.

Apart from these dive sites, there are also other interesting diving spots, such as Hin Yai, Japanese Cape, Koh Chang Kluea, Farang Cape, Hin Ta - Hin Yai, Hin Wua Lai Kwai Wing, Koh Kram Noi, Koh Yor, Koh Era, Koh Elau, Kao Tao Moh, etc.

Go There

Traveling to Samaesan can be done by personal car or public transport, which includes minibus or train. For minibus, the nearest stop to get off is at km6 or km10. For the train, you can get off at the Phlu Ta Luang Station, but this route is available only on Saturday and Sunday.

From the town of Samaesan, you can take a local public transport called Song Theaw or a motorcycle taxi to the pier, where there are many piers for different diving companies in the same vicinity.

How to Go toChonburi

Emergency

Nearest Recompression Chamber Facilities

Phlu Ta Luang Subdistrict, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, Tel. 0-3824-5735-69 or 082-571-2660
  • Abhakornkiatiwong Hospital : Sattahip Naval Base, Sattahip Subdistrict, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province Tel. 0-3843-7172 (Underwater Medicine and Aviation Department Tel. 085-191-7219)