Welcome to Copperband Scuba Academy, we’d like to share with you a little about ourselves and our passion for Scuba Diving which in turn means we provide the most enthusiastic service to all of our customers.
Copperband Scuba has been established by enthusiastic and experienced PADI Scuba Instructors who have a deep passion for this extreme sport. We have a mix of Instructors and experienced Dive Masters on our team that all continue to have passion for the ocean despite their experience and number of times they have been to the depths! On our journeys around the world we have often found some establishments have bored and uninterested guides who simply jumped us into the water and didn’t really have a passion for being there! That’s not us!
We like to explore just as much as you! We don’t believe we will ever seen all there is to see! So even though we have been diving at our sites many times, we are always on the look out for new places to explore and more things to see, expanding our experience with you on your dive! This in our mind ensures you have the best dive you can on the day! We do not whiz around the sites in haste as everything shoots past at break neck speeds! Where there is sand we move faster to get to those interesting points in the dive and then slow it right down so we can all explore the intricacies of the reefs and wrecks together! We aim to give everyone a maximum dive time of 50 to 55 minutes depending on the conditions, site and abilities of our Buddies and fellow divers! Always remember we dive safely and conservatively and are inclusive in how we plan our dives. No two dives are ever the same!
We pride ourselves in being able to offer a friendly, open and inclusive service to all of our customers no matter their gender, age, religion or background. Our main aim for the day is Safety, as is always our top priority, and fun!
So why do we love diving Pattaya, Samaesan and Rayong so much?
Simply this – we are able to offer variety, a range of sites depending on the experience of our customers and challenging conditions for those who want to test their abilities.
Pattaya – Our most frequented sites
Pattaya is the ultimate Tourist city in mainland Thailand offering all sorts of fun and activities both during the day and at night. Catering for tourist from all of the world Pattaya has a full range of things to do including Sky Diving, Go Cart Racing and of Course Scuba Diving! At night the lights come on the the town becomes an inclusive and bright city allowing you to be yourself and have fun!
We aim to continue that vibe and offer a Scuba Diving Experience at some of Pattaya’s best dive sites.
Pattaya – Wreck Diving
HMTS Khut
This wreck, located close to the Near Islands is a World War 2 US Landing Ship transferred to the Thai Navy in October 1945 to add to their fleet. Deliberately scuppered as an artificial reef and Scuba Dive Site, after 65 years of service, this wreck lays flat on the ocean floor at around 30-32 metres to the ocean floor and approximately 25-27 metres to the main deck.
Offering a stunning view (in good visibility) as you descend down the line the wreck is now a vibrant reef and hosts a variety of marine life. Given its location the Khutt also offers a challenge due to currents and variations in visibility offering a different experience on almost every dive.
If you are undertaking your PADI Wreck Speciality Course and are already certified as an PADI Enriched Air Diver or wish to do wreck penetration fun dive this (along with its sister ship HMTS Kram) is the wreck best suited for these types of dives. With large entry points and a number of areas to explore, including the corridors and engine room, this wreck has a lot to offer. Recreational divers not wishing to penetrate the wreck can descend into the large holes on the deck and safely see below deck for the first time!
Look out for the stunning marine life on this wreck including Schools of Barracuda, giant puffers, scorpion fish on the wreck structures and surfaces, Turtles, Reef Fish and Blue Spotted Rays in the sand beds on the deck and around the wreck.
Overall one of the best Wreck Dives in Pattaya! (Trips to this Dive Site are subject to conditions and timetables on the day!)
HMTS Kram
The Sister Ship of the above HMTS Khut, the Kram is located near the Far Islands and a little less accessible due to the distance and conditions at varying times of the year this offers similar dive conditions to the Khut. Having been sunk a while before the Khut the marine life and reef that has established itself on the wreck is more diverse and established. It is amazing how just 3 years makes such a difference!
At a similar depth of around 30-32 metres to the ocean floor and 25 or so metres to the deck this wreck sits upright and was again scuppered as an artificial reef and Scuba Dive Site having been stripped and made safe before doing so by the Thai Navy.
Once again this is a great wreck for penetration and offers a similar experience to its sister ship. With a healthy scattering of both hard and soft corals the marine life is just as diverse. Look out for some Bamboo Sharks, Blue Spotted Rays, Groupers, Blue Spotted Rays, Bat Fish and of course everyone’s beloved Turtles!
HMTS Mataphon
This US Landing ship, transferred to the Thai Navy shortly after World War 2 was scuppered by the Thai Navy in 2012 as an artificial reef and Scuba Dive Site. The wreck is relatively small at approximately 36 metres in length. Around the wreck formations of Concrete blocks have been placed offering a small maze of places to explore before or after the wreck if time permits!
This wreck is good for newbies to Wreck Diving and rests at about 26m to the ocean floor and approximately 19m to the deck. With 2 mounted artillery guns either side it makes for a fun wreck to explore. Open doors allow a view into the cabins of the ship with some short simple swim throughs for those with the relevant PADI Wreck Speciality if you should choose.
At the back of the Ship where the cabins are located there is often a large School of juvenile Barracuda fish and Yellow Stripe Trevally. Often this end of the wreck is dark and exciting due to this, and a torch is often a must to swim through and explore into the open doorways of the cabin quarters.
Pattaya – Coral Dive Sites
Pattaya Near Islands
The near Islands being the most accessible Dives Sites from Pattaya Bali High Pier where the Dive boats set out from are the most dived sites around Pattaya.
Consisting of Koh Larn, Koh Sak and Koh Krok there is an abundance of healthy marine life and coral to see! With varying conditions in relation to visibility, currents and the marine life that surrounds these sites no two dives are ever the same.
Look out for our beloved Turtles at each site and various large coral structures to explore for those little nudibranch and shrimps if you so wish! Offering great protection from the elements, even during monsoon seasons this allows Scuba Diving all year round in Pattaya!
Pattaya Far Islands
Similar to the Near Islands the dive sites around Koh Phai, Koh Klung Badan, Kho Man Whichai and Koh Rin offer an abundance of corals and marine life again all in good condition and great for exploring. With a full range of marine life including nudibranch and little critters this makes for both an exciting and relaxing place to dive. The islands are more susceptible to the elements and take a longer time to travel to, but if you’re lucky and the time is right you may find yourselves in for a treat on the day of diving.
Samaesan Islands – Thai Navy National Marine Parks – Wreck and Coral Dives
One of our personal favourites at Copperband Scuba Academy is diving at Sameasan. Leaving from Pattaya we make our way toward Sattahip to a small fishing town called Samaesan where we meet the boat at Warrasin Pier.
With the option of either the Traditional Thai Dive boat or Speed boat, depending on the day and availability this is a fun packed day of diving. Taking the boat normally to the Wreck first before embarking on two fantastic Coral dives.
It’s well worth the extra time to explore these exciting dive sites with conditions for everyone no matter their experience level.
Wreck Diving – Samaesan
SS Sudhadib – AKA the Hardeep
Prepare to be Superman for your Decent and Ascent from this amazing wreck! Sank in 1945 by the British Rayal Airforce this is one of the only wrecks this side of Thailand which was sunk during wartime rather than scuppered at the end of service. With a fascinating history this was originally a Thai cargo cruiser ship before World War 2 and at the time during the war Thailand decided that rather than being invaded by Japan they would join their war efforts and in turn the Sudhabid was handed over to the Japanese for use as a communications and fuel resupply ship. As a result it became a target of the Allied Forces during their mission to sink the Japanese Navy vessels in and around the area.
In total 5 Bombs were dropped, all remain unexploded on the bottom of the ocean around the wreck site. The one the sunk the ship simply went through the hull and rests approximately 20 metres from the wreck (still unexploded) at a depth of approximately 28 – 29 metres. Trying to view the bomb is a dive in itself and is subject to visibility and currents which often prevent such a trip! However on the rare occasion it is possible we are always up for the challenge!
The wreck itself lays on its side and over the years has corroded and started to collapse. Often there are very strong currents making it an exhilarating dive for all that take the challenge. Suitable for PADI Advanced Open Water divers or equivalent there are a number of penetration points where exits are available above and to the side meaning penetration is possible on almost every dive.
One of our favourite sites to dive and always an experience for our customers! Still gives us butterflies in our stomachs on every dive in anticipation for the varying conditions! Visibility, currents, and much more make this dive one of the most interesting dives you may ever do! We love it!
Coral Diving – Samaesan
With a variety of spectacular dive sites to choose from Coral Diving in Samaesan is amongst the best sites in Thailand, in our opinion.
Ranging from shallow and going down as deep as 18-20 metres the variety of site means its suitable for all levels of experience. Watch out for the Bull Sharks at around 20-25 metres if you get the chance as well as our beloved Turtles at around 10-15 metres.
Whether you are diving Koh Chuang, Koh Chang Klua, Koh Jarn or any of the sites we take you to you’re in for a treat!
Rayong & Koh Chang – Wreck and Coral Diving
Want to go further afield and explore more? Let us arrange a trip for you and your friends to Rayong and Koh Chang. By special request and on an exclusive basis we can take you or a small group from Pattaya to Rayong and Koh Chang on 3 night, 4 day diving trip.
Starting from Pattaya allow us to transport you to Coca Cola Beach Resort in Rayong for the night, relax and take in the sea views from their restaurant and bar before setting off the following day to meet the boat for a days diving at Alhambra Rock! A pinnacle approximately 1.5 hours from the pier. Starting with a shallow dive around a small pier where you can find sea horse, pipe fish and a varying array of macros, we will then set off from the Rock, doing two dives one to the East and one to the West of the Dive site! You you will not be disappointed.
After our day in Rayong we will pack our bags and catch the ferry over to Koh Chang! Staying at either The Stage or Guja Puri Hotels on Koh Chang you will be in for a treat of luxury! The following day we will do a day diving the Coral Sites and the infamous Koh Chang Wreck! And YES! the flag is still there so bring your Go Pro or camera for that famous shot of you around the tower of the Chang with the flag waving in the foreground!
We will then drive back to Pattaya to our drop off location.
This is a seasonal trip as Rayong is subjected to Monsoons meaning the sites are not accessible. Diving Season is October to May! Out side of these months join us in Koh Chang and we can tailor your stay to your needs.
