Rainbow Reef - Gulf of Thailand
Rainbow Reef is a pretty gentle introduction to diving in the Gulf, sitting shallow at a consistent 6 metres. It’s perfect for those just getting their fins wet or if you’re looking for a relaxed multi-level safety stop. We've often spotted juvenile reef fish zipping amongst the coral patches, and the resident anemones usually have a few clownfish families making themselves at home. Visibility here can vary with the tides, but generally, it’s clear enough to enjoy a leisurely potter about.
- Location
- Gulf of Thailand, Thailand, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 10.089200, 99.824600
- Type
- reef
- Maximum Depth
- 6m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Suratthani Environmental Protected Area
Best Time to Dive in Gulf of Thailand
The warmest water temperatures in Gulf of Thailand occur in January, averaging 28.2°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.2°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.2°C (air: 26.9°C)
- February: 28.2°C (air: 27.3°C)
- March: 28.2°C (air: 28.2°C)
- April: 28.2°C (air: 29.1°C)
- May: 28.2°C (air: 29.1°C)
- June: 28.2°C (air: 28.6°C)
- July: 28.2°C (air: 28.1°C)
- August: 28.2°C (air: 28.2°C)
- September: 28.2°C (air: 27.6°C)
- October: 28.2°C (air: 27.2°C)
- November: 28.2°C (air: 27.0°C)
- December: 28.2°C (air: 26.8°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Gulf of Thailand
- Ao Cheweng
- Ao Kruad - 10m
- Ao Mook - 15m
- Ao Tien - 14m
- Aow Leuk - 8m
- Aow Lok Gum / อ่าวลกกำ - 9m
- Ban Pla Aow TongTom (Artificial)/ บ้านปลา อ่าวท้องตม - 10m (wreck)
- Bio Rock - 14m (reef)
- Buddha Rock - 5-25m (pinnacle)
- Buoyancy World - 14m
- Chalok Bay - 10m (reef)
- Chip Chip Wreck - 29m (wreck)
- Chong Talu - 16m
- Chumphon Pinnacle - 24m (pinnacle)
- Construction Artificial Reef - 18m (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Rainbow Reef
- Abyssal Deep Dive
- All Scuba
- Asia Blue Scuba - ["PADI"]
- Ban's Diving Resort - PADI
- Blue Horizon Diving and Adventures - SSI, PADI, CMAS
- Buddha View IDC
Marine Life in Gulf of Thailand
Home to 167 recorded species including 126 reef fish, 18 hard corals, 7 sharks & rays, 6 seagrass & algae, 2 sea cucumbers, 2 clams & mussels.
Notable Species
- Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
- Rock Cod (Epinephelus fasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora nasuta) - Hard Corals
- Blue Spotted Hind (Cephalopholis cyanostigma) - Reef Fish
- Rock Cod (Cephalopholis boenak) - Reef Fish
- Estuary Cod (Epinephelus coioides) - Reef Fish
- Blue-lined Rock Cod (Cephalopholis formosa) - Reef Fish
- Common Coral Trout (Plectropomus leopardus) - Reef Fish
- Redcoat (Sargocentron rubrum) - Reef Fish
- Slender grouper (Anyperodon leucogrammicus) - Reef Fish
- Banded maori wrasse (Cheilinus fasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Telescopefish (Epibulus insidiator) - Reef Fish
- Eight Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon octofasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Floral wrasse (Cheilinus chlorourus) - Reef Fish
- Longnose Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora solitaryensis) - Hard Corals
- Long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum) - Sea Urchins
- Honeycomb Grouper (Epinephelus quoyanus) - Reef Fish
- Big-eye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora millepora) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for Rainbow Reef
Based on average water temperature of 28.2°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories