Koh Lanta 7-Day Andaman Diving Escape: Reefs, Wrecks & Bohemian Beaches

Why Koh Lanta as your Andaman base

Thirty kilometres long, six wide, sparsely built and ringed by some of the warmest, clearest water in southern Thailand — Koh Lanta has resisted the high-rise development that reshaped Phuket. The first inhabitants were Chao Leh sea gypsies who settled 500 years ago; their descendants still live here alongside a majority Muslim population and a small Thai-Chinese community.

Since the 1980s, backpackers have shaped a slow, intentional tourism scene. Aside from a handful of upscale resorts, most accommodation is small family-run bungalows tucked into palm groves a few steps from the sand. For divers, that translates into shorter boat rides, fewer crowds on the reefs and after-dive evenings that feel more like a friend's beach house than a resort strip.

The dive sites: pinnacles, walls and a friendly wreck

Koh Lanta sits within easy reach of some of the most rewarding dive sites in the Andaman Sea. Most days you'll do two dives from a comfortable day-boat, returning to the island before sunset.

• Koh Haa — a horseshoe of five limestone islets with cathedral-like swim-throughs, a chimney to 18 m and resident schools of yellow snapper. Excellent for divers of every level.
• Koh Phi Phi Ley (Bida Nok & Bida Nai) — shallow, photogenic reefs along sheer walls, with leopard sharks resting on the sand and the occasional black-tip patrolling the blue.
• Hin Bida Lanta — a submerged pinnacle shaped like a duck's foot. Manta rays and whale sharks pass through between February and April; barracuda and giant trevally are year-round residents.
• Hin Daeng & Hin Muang — the Andaman's most famous deep pinnacles, blanketed in purple soft coral and one of Thailand's best big-fish stations.
• Kled Geaw wreck — a small, intact training wreck in 26 m of water; great for early wreck experience and now colonised by lionfish, batfish and schooling fusiliers.

Marine life you can realistically expect

Koh Lanta is a rare Thai destination where the same week can deliver pelagic action and quality macro. The deeper pinnacles bring in mantas, whale sharks and the occasional silvertip; the sheltered walls around Koh Haa and Phi Phi are full of nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp and seahorses if your guide knows where to look.

Green and hawksbill turtles are an everyday sight. Leopard sharks rest on sandy patches at Bida, and a healthy population of bamboo and black-tip reef sharks works the reef edges at dawn.

The 7-day, 6-night itinerary

Pricing and details are confirmed on booking — the rates vary with seasonal flight fares. The structure below is the standard private package.

• Day 1 — Arrival: airport pickup in Bangkok, domestic flight to Krabi, road and ferry transfer to your Koh Lanta bungalow. Welcome dinner on the beach.
• Day 2 — Diving: breakfast, two dives (typically Koh Haa), lunch on board, free evening.
• Day 3 — Diving: two dives at Koh Phi Phi Ley and Bida sites, return to Lanta for sunset.
• Day 4 — Diving: two dives at Hin Bida Lanta — the manta and whale-shark site.
• Day 5 — Diving: two dives at Hin Daeng / Hin Muang or the Kled Geaw wreck, depending on conditions.
• Day 6 — Free day: kayak the mangroves, scooter to Lanta Old Town and the south of the island, beach massage and sunset apéro.
• Day 7 — Departure: morning stroll, transfer to Koh Lanta airport, flight to Bangkok and onward transfer to Pattaya. End of services.

What's included in the package

Everything on this itinerary is booked, paid and coordinated by Thailand Diving as a private service — no shared minibuses, no surprise add-ons at the dive centre.

• All transfers (Bangkok ↔ airports, domestic flights, ferry, island transport)
• 6 nights in a beachfront bungalow with daily breakfast (queen bed, private bathroom)
• 4 days of guided diving — 8 dives total, tanks, weights and divemaster included
• Lunch and drinking water on each dive day
• Private service throughout the trip (your group only)

How to book and pay

Reservations are confirmed with a 30% deposit. The balance is due 30 days before arrival. Payments are accepted by international bank transfer (Kasikorn Bank, Thailand) or via Wise — both bank details are sent on enquiry.

WhatsApp is the fastest way to reach the team to lock in dates, especially during the February–April manta window. Bookings made less than 30 days out require full payment at confirmation.