Koh Yawasam

Koh Yawasam is a beginner-friendly dive site in the Andaman Sea near Krabi, a small island whose surrounding reef provides easy and enjoyable diving in the warm, sheltered waters of Thailand's Phang Nga Bay area. The site offers the tropical reef experience in accessible conditions, making it well suited for newer divers building their experience in the Andaman Sea. The island sits among the dramatic limestone karst formations that define the Phang Nga Bay seascape, one of the most photographed marine landscapes in the world. The vertical cliffs, hidden lagoons, and mushroom-shaped rocks that characterize this area continue below the waterline, where the same limestone creates underwater terrain of caves, overhangs, and textured surfaces that support rich marine communities. The reef around Koh Yawasam features healthy coral growth on the limestone substrate. Hard corals including brain corals, plate corals, and branching species form the structural foundation, while soft corals in shades of pink and purple add movement and color. The diversity of coral species reflects the healthy conditions maintained by the area's water quality and relatively moderate diving pressure. Fish life is plentiful and varied. Colorful reef species including butterflyfish, angelfish, and wrasse provide constant visual interest, while schools of damselfish hover in clouds above the coral heads. The rocky overhangs shelter larger species including groupers and sweetlips, and the sandy areas between reef sections are productive hunting grounds for those searching for rays, gobies, and other bottom-dwelling creatures. The sheltered position of the island means conditions are typically calm, with minimal current and comfortable visibility. These forgiving conditions allow beginner divers to focus on developing their skills and enjoying the marine environment without the stress of managing challenging conditions. The moderate depth profile provides generous bottom time for thorough reef exploration. The Krabi coast's diving infrastructure is well developed, with multiple operators offering trips to sites like Koh Yawasam throughout the diving season from November through April. The boats typically visit multiple sites in a day, allowing divers to experience several different reef environments and build a comprehensive picture of the local marine ecosystem. Koh Yawasam is a solid representative of the many beginner-accessible reef sites that make the Krabi and Phang Nga area such a popular diving destination. The combination of warm water, healthy reefs, abundant marine life, and the spectacular above-water scenery of the limestone karst landscape creates a diving experience that is both visually stunning and welcoming to divers of all levels.