Exploring the Top 5 Wreck Dives
in Pattaya, Thailand
Pattaya, Thailand, is renowned for its exceptional wreck diving sites, boasting some of the world's most renowned sunken treasures for avid divers to explore.
The region’s three primary diving areas—Near Islands, Far Islands, and Samae San Islands—offer an abundance of captivating wreck opportunities alongside stunning reefs and vibrant marine life. Dive enthusiasts, particularly those with a fascination for sunken history, will find Pattaya’s wrecks to be truly iconic. Let’s delve into the top five wreck dives that make Pattaya a must-visit destination for wreck diving aficionados.
1. HTMS Khram:
Situated in the Far Islands, the HTMS Khram serves as an artificial reef, purposefully sunk by the Thai Navy in 2003. Teeming with diverse marine life, this former Thai Navy landing craft rests upright at approximately 30 meters (100 feet) below the surface. Its well-preserved structure, including the bridge and radio room, offers an immersive diving experience surrounded by colorful corals and an array of marine species.
2. HTMS Khut (AKA HTMS Kood):
Nestled in the Near Islands, the HTMS Khut, a World War II U.S. landing ship, was transformed into an artificial reef in 2006. Divers can explore its depths, reaching up to 30 meters (100 feet), and encounter schools of barracuda, stingrays, and an abundance of reef fish. Accessible just minutes away from Pattaya’s Bali Hai pier, this wreck dive promises an exhilarating adventure for advanced open water and wreck diving enthusiasts.
3. The Hardeep Wreck:
Steeped in history, the Hardeep wreck—formerly known as the S.S. Suddhadib—is nestled in the Samae San Islands. This freight and passenger steam ship met its fate during World War II, bombed by the British RAF in 1945. Now lying on its side at 30 meters (100 feet) below the surface, the Hardeep offers advanced divers the opportunity to explore its interiors, including the cabins, cargo holes, and boiler room, all adorned with vibrant marine life.
4. The Petchburi Bremen Wreck:
With a rich history dating back to World War I, the Petchburi Bremen wreck, once a freighter interned in Bangkok, now serves as a captivating dive site split into three parts. Despite the damage inflicted by the Thai Navy’s demolition exercises, remnants of its captain’s quarters and intact sections provide intriguing exploration opportunities for advanced divers amidst the presence of coral growth and diverse marine species.
5. HTMS Mataphon Wreck:
Sunk in 2012 near Larn island, the HTMS Mataphon—a former US Navy amphibious landing ship—offers a relatively new wreck diving experience. Measuring just 36 meters (118 feet) in length, this wreck dive presents an ideal opportunity for leisurely exploration, with burgeoning coral growth and an emerging marine ecosystem attracting divers seeking a glimpse of underwater evolution.
Whether you’re a seasoned wreck diving enthusiast or a curious adventurer, Pattaya’s wrecks offer unparalleled opportunities to delve into maritime history and witness the vibrant marine ecosystems that thrive within these sunken relics. With Pattaya’s wrecks now on your diving bucket list, prepare for an unforgettable journey into the depths, where each dive reveals a new chapter in the story of underwater exploration.
