Dive HTMS Chang – Thailand’s Largest Shipwreck at Koh Chang
HTMS Chang is Thailand’s most famous and largest shipwreck dive site. Located near Koh Chang, this iconic wreck draws divers from all over the world. Originally known as the USS Lincoln County (LST-898), it served during World War II and the Korean War before being sold to the Thai Navy in 1962 and renamed HTMS Chang. On November 22, 2012, it was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef and now serves as a premier dive site for wreck diving enthusiasts.
Whale shark at HTMS Chang wreck, captured on January 8, 2025.
Why Dive at HTMS Chang?
- Thailand’s Largest Shipwreck: At 100 meters long, it’s the biggest wreck in Thailand and a bucket-list dive for wreck enthusiasts.
- Deep Adventure: Explore cargo holds at depths of 27–29 meters and swim through passageways for an unforgettable experience.
- Marine Life Galore: Spot barracudas, groupers, batfish, lionfish, and many reef fish that have made the wreck their home.
Dive Site Overview
| Max Depth | 30 meters |
|---|---|
| Deck Depth | 23 meters |
| Marine Life | Barracudas, groupers, batfish, lionfish, moray eels, reef fish |
Are you ready to explore Thailand’s most iconic shipwreck? Book a fun dive or wreck diving course with Chang Diving Center today!
Diver Level for this dive site.
Min. certification level: Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver (or equalled)
Try Diving possibility: No
Snorkelling possibility: No
Our Divemaster’s
Our Divemasters are dedicated to ensuring your diving experience is safe, enjoyable, and well-organized. At the start of the day, they will provide a comprehensive boat briefing, outlining the schedule, safety protocols, and dive site details.
Before each dive, you’ll receive a detailed dive briefing covering the dive plan, conditions, and points of interest. During the dive, the Divemaster will lead the group, monitor air consumption regularly, and use signals (such as tapping the tank) to get your attention when necessary. If any issues arise, they will assist promptly to ensure your safety and the safety of the group.
For divers wishing to explore independently with their buddy, our Divemasters will provide a thorough briefing on the boat, review the pre-dive safety procedures, and ensure your team is well-prepared before entering the water.
Safety and enjoyment are our priorities—please feel free to ask your Divemaster for guidance or assistance at any time.
Entry and Exit
- Dive Boat
- Dinghy Boat
Predive Safety Check! We enter the water from the side of the Boat with a Giant Strike, if all is OK, clear the place and swim on the surface to the starting point. After the dive, back on the surface we swim back to the ladder on the side of the boat, stand on the ladder and take off the fin’s (give it up to the crew) climb up the ladder with the regulator in your mouth. Never stay under a diver which try to climb up.
Predive Safety Check! We enter the water with a backroll entry. When everything is OK, clear the place and swim on the surface to the starting point. After the dive, back on the surface, we swim back to the dinghy boat. When you reach the dinghy boat remove your weight belt and BCD. Start to get up the dinghy with the help of a few kicks with your fin’s.
Dive Procedures
- Review the necessary Handsignals for scuba diving.
![Basic Handsignals while scuba diving]()
- What you maight spot while diving or snorkelling
- When you end any dive a safety stop on 5 m of depth for 3 min is recommended.
Emergency Procedures
- Police, Phone: 191
- Tourist Police, Phone: 1155
- EMS, Phone: 1669
- DAN International, Phone: +1-919-684-9111
- Suspicion of DCS
- Recrompression chaimber, Koh Chang Hospital, Phone: 039 521-657 or 039 586-131