Most visitors know Pattaya for its beaches. Divers know it for steel. Within a day trip of the city lie four shipwrecks you can dive: the Navy wrecks HTMS Khram, HTMS Khood and HTMS Mattaphon off the Koh Larn islands, and the famous Hardeep in the quiet Samaesan area. The Gulf of Thailand is diveable all year, so whether you're on your first wreck dive or training for penetration, there is a Pattaya wreck that fits your level.
This guide covers each wreck, which certification you need, how to choose between our Pattaya and Samaesan trips, and what it costs.
The 4 Pattaya Wrecks at a Glance
| Wreck | Where | Length | Sunk | Depth (top → seabed) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HTMS Khram | East of Koh Phai | about 62 m | 2003, as an artificial reef | about 15 → 30 m | Beginner to advanced, wreck training |
| HTMS Khood | North of Koh Sak | about 56 m | 2006, as an artificial reef | about 12 → 30 m | Intermediate to experienced |
| HTMS Mattaphon | Southeast of Koh Larn, near Had Nuan beach | 36 m | 2012, as an artificial reef | about 15 → 23 m | Certified divers, a compact first wreck |
| Hardeep | Samaesan | about 68 m | 1945, in a WWII air raid | about 26–27 m on the seabed | Advanced divers |
Figures are approximate and vary slightly between sources. Depth limits always follow your certification: Open Water divers to 18 m, Advanced Open Water divers to 30 m. Your guide plans every wreck dive within your limit.
HTMS Khram: Pattaya's Signature Wreck
HTMS Khram is the wreck most divers come to Pattaya for. She began life as a US Navy medium landing ship (USS LSM-469), served the Royal Thai Navy from 1962, and was scuttled about 300 m east of Koh Phai in early 2003 to become an artificial reef. She sits upright, with the top of the wreck at about 15 m and the seabed at about 30 m. Today her hull is covered in colourful corals and encrusting growth, with schools of fish moving through her compartments and passages.
Because she is easy to explore from the outside and has plenty of structure to learn on, HTMS Khram is where we teach the Wreck Diver specialty. It suits divers from beginner to advanced.
- Depth: about 15 m (top) to 30 m (seabed)
- Length: about 62 m
- Sunk: early 2003, as an artificial reef
- Trip: Pattaya Bay day trip
HTMS Khood: Big Fish on a Navy Wreck
HTMS Khood (also spelled HTMS Kut) is a former US-built landing ship that served in the Royal Thai Navy. She was sunk a few hundred metres north of Koh Sak in September 2006, and she rests upright: the top of her tower is at about 12 m, her decks are at around 25 m and the seabed is at about 28 to 30 m. Corals cover the hull, and the wreck is patrolled by barracuda, snapper, rays and lionfish. Whale sharks have occasionally been seen cruising past, though no one can promise one. HTMS Khood is best for intermediate to experienced divers.
- Depth: about 12 m (top) to 30 m (seabed)
- Length: about 56 m
- Sunk: September 2006, as an artificial reef
- Trip: Pattaya Bay day trip
HTMS Mattaphon: A WWII Landing Ship
HTMS Mattaphon is a World War II landing ship built in the USA in 1944, 36 metres long and 10 metres wide. The Royal Thai Navy sank her on 20 October 2012 southeast of Koh Larn, near Had Nuan beach. The top of the wreck is at about 15 m and the seabed at about 23 m, so she is a comfortable, compact wreck that you can see in a single dive.
- Depth: about 15 m (top) to 23 m (seabed)
- Size: 36 m × 10 m, built 1944
- Sunk: October 2012, as an artificial reef
- Trip: Pattaya Bay day trip
Hardeep Wreck: The Legend of Samaesan
The Hardeep is the Gulf of Thailand's most famous wreck dive. Her real name is the SS Suddhadib, a steam cargo ship built in Hong Kong in 1918 and about 68 metres long. During World War II she was hit in an Allied air raid and sank near Samaesan on 1 June 1945. She lies on her starboard side at about 26 to 27 m, with swim-throughs, thick marine growth and abundant fish life. Currents here can be strong, so we recommend the Hardeep for Advanced Open Water divers and up.
- Depth: about 26–27 m on the seabed
- Length: about 68 m
- Sunk: 1 June 1945, in a WWII air raid
- Trip: Samaesan day trip
Pattaya Trip or Samaesan Trip: Which Should You Choose?
We run daily boat trips to two areas, at the same price.
Pattaya Bay trip. The near islands of Koh Larn, Koh Sak and Koh Krok, plus the Navy wrecks HTMS Khram, HTMS Khood and HTMS Mattaphon. Short boat rides and easy conditions make it suitable for all levels, including snorkellers, Discover Scuba and training dives. Choose this if you want variety, or if it's your first wreck dive.
Samaesan trip. A small fishing village southeast of Pattaya, inside a quiet military zone. Fewer boats, fewer divers, pristine reefs and the Hardeep wreck. Choose this if you're a certified diver who wants the Gulf's most famous wreck and a quieter day.
A typical day: meet at our dive center in House Hotel at 08:00, boat leaves at 09:00, first dive around 10:30, lunch on board, second dive around 13:00, and back at House Hotel around 15:30. We confirm exact times when we send your itinerary.
What Certification Do You Need?
- No certification: you can still see the islands on a Discover Scuba Diving day (4,300 THB, 2 dives with an instructor). Wreck dives are for certified divers.
- Open Water (to 18 m): you can join fun dive days. HTMS Mattaphon and the upper parts of HTMS Khram and HTMS Khood are within your range, and your guide keeps you above 18 m. If you're not certified yet, the Open Water course takes 3 days and costs 15,900 THB.
- Advanced Open Water (to 30 m): opens up the full depth of the Navy wrecks and the Hardeep. The Advanced Open Water course costs 14,900 THB and includes a Deep dive.
- Wreck Diver specialty (15,900 THB): 2 days and 4 wreck dives on HTMS Khram, where you learn wreck assessment, reel and line work, mapping and limited penetration. You need Advanced Open Water (or Adventure Diver with a Deep dive) and to be at least 15 years old.
- Going further inside: Tek-Lite Wreck (29,000 THB) and Technical Wreck (49,000 THB) train you for penetration with technical procedures.
How Much Does Wreck Diving in Pattaya Cost?
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Fun dive day, 2 dives (Pattaya or Samaesan) | 3,300 THB |
| Discover Scuba Diving, 2 dives | 4,300 THB |
| Try Dive, 1 scuba dive + 1 snorkel (Pattaya only) | 3,300 THB |
| Snorkelling day trip | 1,900 THB |
| Wreck Diver specialty | 15,900 THB |
| Wreck Lovers package (Wreck Specialty + Nitrox) | 22,000 THB, save 2,800 THB |
| Modern Diver package (Open Water + Advanced) | 30,000 THB, save 800 THB |
Fun dive days include tank and weights, an experienced dive guide, lunch on board and insurance. Rental equipment is available; ask us when you book. All prices are in Thai Baht and exclude 7% VAT. See the full price list and our day trips.
Book Your Pattaya Wreck Dive
Message us on WhatsApp at +66 65 664 4915 with your dates and certification level, and we'll plan the right wreck for you. Our dive center is inside House Hotel in central Pattaya.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can beginners dive the wrecks in Pattaya?
Yes, once you are certified. HTMS Khram is suitable from beginner to advanced level, HTMS Mattaphon is a compact wreck with a seabed at about 23 m, and your guide keeps every dive within your certification depth. If you have never dived, start with Discover Scuba Diving on the islands or the 3-day Open Water course.
Which is the best wreck in Pattaya for a first wreck dive?
HTMS Khram. It is easy to explore from the outside, has lots of structure and marine life, and it is where we teach the Wreck Diver specialty.
How deep are the Pattaya wrecks?
The seabed is at about 30 m at HTMS Khram and HTMS Khood, about 23 m at HTMS Mattaphon, and about 26 to 27 m at the Hardeep. The tops of the Navy wrecks start at around 12 to 15 m.
Where is the Hardeep wreck?
In the Samaesan area, southeast of Pattaya. We run daily trips there from Samaesan fishing village, at the same price as our Pattaya trips.
Can you dive in Pattaya all year?
Yes. The Gulf of Thailand is diveable all year, and with sheltered wrecks and island sites there is almost always somewhere good to dive. Ask us for the daily conditions report.
How much is a wreck fun dive in Pattaya?
3,300 THB for a two-dive day, at either Pattaya or Samaesan, including tank, weights, guide, lunch and insurance. Prices exclude 7% VAT.
Do I need a Wreck Diver certification to dive the wrecks?
No. Certified divers can dive around the outside of the wrecks with a guide. The Wreck Diver specialty teaches you to plan wreck dives safely and to make limited penetrations.
