Diving in Pattaya

The Samaesan Hole Bomb Hunters is an elusive private members diving club operating out of Pattaya, Thailand. Membership is strictly invite only and subject to approval by the entire board. There are no membership fees. Membership is based on technical competence & knowledge; reliability as a team member and ability to actively manage deep air narcosis. They are not affiliated with any dive organisations or shops. The number of active members or board members is unknown. The club predominantly dives around the Samaesan Islands, with the club name taken from the number of unexploded bombs littering the seabed around the Samaesan Hole.

Sharkfin Deep Drop GPS Locations: For those times when you want to dive the second deepest technical site in the Gulf of Thailand but your boats depth sounder is busted up.

• 50m N12° 31.842′ E100° 56.137′ [Top of cliff]
• 72m N12° 31.719′ E100° 56.165′ [slope]
• 61m N12° 31.844′ E100° 56.135′
• 85m N12° 31.616’ E100° 55.928’
• 75m N12° 31.587’ E100° 55.769’

Please remember that this area has current.

Samaesan Hole GPS Locations: For those times when you want to dive the deepest technical site in the Gulf of Thailand but your boats depth sounder is busted up

• 85m:  N12° 32.322′ E100° 57.60′
• 85m: N12° 32.282′ E100° 57.579′
• 72m: N12° 32.329′ E100° 57.584′
• 62m: N12° 32.316′ E100° 57.731′

Please remember that this area has current.

There are a number of top tec dive sites with quirky names in the vicinity of Pattaya, Thailand.

• 1/4 Mile Mouthpiece Drop: This recently discovered dive site near Pattaya (75m) was given an unusual/quirky name after events that unfolded during its maiden dive. During its discovery the divers who discovered it were drag racing DPVs (hence the 1/4 mile) and whilst enjoying themselves managed to lose the mouth piece of the regulator (mouthpiece drop).
• Narcosis Colosseum: This recently discovered dive site near Pattaya (50m) was given it’s unusual/quirky name due to it’s steep sided round appearance that matches that of a colosseum combined with the fact that it is the perfect depth for training extended range…meaning some people may get a bit narced
• Thunder Bowl: A recently discovered technical dive site (65m) to the west of Koh Samaesan. This unusual dive site name comes from the bowl shape topography of the dive site. The thunder comes from the fact it is in the middle of a commercial shipping lane. If ships are passing overhead then this is when the thunder starts.

If you want to dive at any of these sites then please reach out to my buddies at Tec Pattaya

The Samaesan Hole, in Pattaya is recognised as one of the most dangerous dive site in the world. Divers require advanced planning and technical skills to manage the risks associated with this extreme dive site.

Also referred to as the “black silty hole of death”, the Samaesan Hole features as the only open ocean dive on Red Bull’s Most Extreme Dive Locations List. The hazards associated with this site include the following…

• Depth: The Samaesan Hole decends down to 85-100m at its deepest part. Hypoxic Trimix is therefore a recommendation for most divers. At these depths, deep air divers will have potentially debilitating nitrogen narcosis to manage as well as closely having to closely monitor for Ox Tox.
• Visibility: Be prepared for poor visibility (5-10m) throughout the dive. 
• Darkness: Light does not typically reach below 60m at this site. At the deepest parts the water is an inky black, with turbidity limiting whatever reach your primary light has. Bring a back up torch or two!
• Strong Currents: The area has some of the strongest and unpredictable currents in the gulf of Thailand. So if you get your timing wrong you could end up in Bangkok or Cambodia depending on if the tide is rising or falling.
• Down Currents: The strong currents do not just push you along – they will also pull you down. So watch your depth and ascent/descent to make sure you do not overshoot your planned depth or are getting dragged back down during your ascent.
• Vortex: In addition to being dragged along and down by the current there are instances where you are going to be spun around (horizontal washing machine!). This tends to be from 45m-60m range. In the black water the only reference point you have are the particles (lit up by your torch) flying past your face sideways. The risk of disorientation is high especially if narced.
• Unexploded Bombs: Displayed prominently on the local sea charts you will read the words “Explosives Dumping Ground”. That’s right! The Samaesan Hole is used to dump unused ordinance. With the bombs littering the sea bed it is highly advised that you maintain a controlled descent.
• Shipping Lane: Even if you have successfully managed to get out of the hole your problems may not be over as the dive site is in the middle of a busy commercial shipping lane. It is common to see large LPG vessels crossing the site on their way to/from Rayong. The hulls on these vessels stretch down to your last 4 deco stops so always worth looking on the the horizon before getting in the water.

Yes, there is diving in Pattaya

Closest to Pattaya (40mins boat ride) are the “Near Islands” which include Koh Sak, Koh Larn, and Koh Khrok. These sites are ideal for beginners and also include the wrecks HTMS Kut and HTMS Mataphon are accessible here for beginners. This is typically where IDC Open Water Training is conducted.

A little bit further away (70-90mins by boat) are the far islands which include Koh Rin, Koh Phai, Koh Klung Badan, and Koh Manwichai. Out here coral tends to be healthier and there is more marine life.

The best driving is around Koh Samaesan which is roughly a 40 minute drive south of Pattaya. Sites include Koh Chuang, Hin Chalam (Shark Fin Rock) which feature healthy coral gardens. There is also the famous HTMS Hardeep (Suddhadib) wreck in the local vicinity as well as the newly sank T94 and T95 wrecks. This area includes some of the best tec diving sites in Thailand including the world famous Samaesan Hole, Sark Fin Deep Drop, 1/4 Mile Mouthpiece Drop, Narcosis Colosseum and Thunder Bowl.

Samaesan is a location renowned for some of the best Tec diving in Thailand. It features the deepest and most challenging technical dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand. Its close proximity to mainland means these deep technical dives are only 30 minutes away by boat and more easily accessible compared to others within the region making it an ideal training location for Technical Trimix diving.

Deep Technical Dive Sites

The area includes the renowned Samaesan Hole, which lies at depths of 85 to 100 meters. It is the deepest dive site in the Gulf of Thailand and is also ranked as one of the most extreme/deadly diving sites in the world. Ideal for hypoxic Trimix divers looking to test their skills.

The second deepest dive site in the Gulf of Thailand is Sharkfin Deep Drop, descending to 85 metres. The location features significantly richer marine biodiversity compared to the Samaesan Hole with fewer risks. It serves as an excellent environment for advanced Trimix training.

1/4 Mile Mouthpiece Drop is the third deepest dive site in the Gulf of Thailand at 75m. The seabed here is predominantly flat and sandy, adorned with soft corals that provide a vibrant habitat for shoals of fish. A great site for exploring on DPV.

Other deep technical dive sites in the area include Thunder Bowl (65m) and Narcosis Colosseum (50m), the 7th and 10th deepest technical dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand respectively. Both are easily accessible by boat and ideal for training.

Best Tec Diving in Samaesan

Best Tec Diving in Thailand

How to dive deep in Samaesan

Since the area is known for challenging dive conditions, it’s best to select guides or instructors familiar with it, such as myself or my colleagues at  TecPattaya. Additionally, I would strongly recommend choosing a shop a with a dedicated Tec boat. This way you can get it a couple of decent deep dives and be back by early afternoon – without having recreational divers impact the schedule.

For dive internships in Thailand, Pattaya is great location for undertaking your Dive Master qualification, technical divemaster or looking to gain experience and prepare them for their IDC.

There are a number of Dive Internship programmes from a number of established shops. A wealth of diving expertise is also found here too so if you want to improve your Sidemount, Tec Diving or Equipment maintenance there are plenty of options.

In addition to the diving and the abundance of night-life, there are plenty of interesting local attractions such as the Sanctuary of Truth; Buddha Mountain; Phra Tamnak Hill as well as being a short drive from Moo Deng. Pattaya itself hold many events such as the International Fireworks Festival, Jazz Festival, Vegan Festival. There is always something going on in this vibrant city no matter what you enjoy.

Additionally, when considering costs of such programmes it is also worth noting that Pattaya is cheaper to live in (food, entertainment and accommodation) compared to likes Koh Tao & Phuket.

There are a number of Wreck dives around Pattaya.

The most famous is the Hardeep Wreck (SS Suddhadib) laying at 28m. Close to it are the T94 and T95 wrecks that were purposefully sank in 2022 at roughly 22m. All wrecks are located close to Koh Samaesan

Closest to Pattaya (near islands) is the HTMS Kut, a World War II U.S. landing ship which lays at 31m and the HTMS Metaphorn laying at 23m. Further a field is the HTMS Khram sitting at roughly 28m.

The diving season in Pattaya is typically from November to April. Weather is typically cooler and calmer leading to improved sea conditions and better visibility (up to 20m). This coincides with the high tourist season so hotels and flights may be a bit more expensive.

Diving in Pattaya can be undertaken all year round however in the low tourist season (May to Oct) weather conditions are not typically great for diving. The seasonal monsoons bring wind and rain which ultimately means increased waves and poor visibility. You may be able to get a good deal on flights and hotels during this season but your dives may be cancelled or impacted. Just factor this in when deciding to go.

Water temperatures in Pattaya remain pretty consistent all year round ranging from 27C-30C, with the coolest months being in the winter seasons. Even at 80m the water temperature may only drop by 1C.

For me I am diving in a rash vest all year round. Occasionally putting on a 3mm shorty if it is relatively cool day (windy no, sun, rain etc.)