Divers in Thailand are increasingly exploring tec diving, which greatly expands their diving skills and knowledge and provides unique experiences beyond recreational diving. One of the popular tec diving spots in Thailand is the Samae San Islands (Koh Samaesan) located in the Sattahip District, Chon Buri Province. The area is renowned for having the deepest technical dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand. This makes it an ideal location for experienced technical divers seeking a challenge or divers starting their technical training.
Getting There
The area can be reached easily via the main international airports in Bangkok followed by a two-hour taxi journey to Chong Samae San Village or by a 90-minute car journey to Pattaya where most of the dive shops are located. Alternatively, U-Tapao International Airport is a convenient 10-minute car journey from the village.
Dive boats depart most days from the pier of Chong Samae San Village. You must book your place through a local dive center based in Pattaya as there are no dive shops in this small, picturesque village.
The Well-Known Dive Sites
The deepest dive site in the Gulf of Thailand is the Samaesan Hole, ranging from 85 to 100m (278 to 328 feet). This dive site has been recognized by Red Bull as one of the most extreme dive sites in the world because of strong, unpredictable currents and being a former military dumping area. This site is for experienced Trimix divers only.
For those wanting to see less ordnance and more sea life, there is Sharkfin Deep Drop, which features an overhanging cliff at 50m (165 feet) dropping down to 85m (278 feet). There is an abundance of marine life hiding in the darkness, including large shoals of groupers, mean-looking barracudas and majestic marble rays.
New Technical Dive Spots
PADI TecRec Instructors Troy Jamieson and Peter Ryland Cairns had a mission to find new deep dive sites and grow the technical dive community in the Gulf of Thailand. By early 2026, they had established three new dive sites: ¼ Mile Mouthpiece Drop (75m/246ft), Thunder Bowl (65m/213ft) and Narcosis Colosseum (50m/165ft). While not as deep or extreme as the previous two dive sites, they are fantastic diving locations with their varying depths, making them suitable for a range of tec abilities and courses.
If you are new to technical diving or an experienced tec diver, head over to Samae San Village for an experience of a lifetime. Thailand is truly a paradise for tec divers, and the five must dive wrecks in Thailand for technical divers are not to be missed either.
This guest blog was written by Peter Ryland Cairns, a PADI Pro for five years and counting. Now a freelance technical dive instructor, he predominantly dives in Thailand where he mentors divers in advanced open circuit technical skills. As someone who values development, he has also co-authored two PADI Distinctive Specialty courses (so far), helping to expand training opportunities for divers seeking unique, experience-driven education beyond standard certifications.
