If you are thinking about taking a scuba diving vacation in Thailand, it is best to know when and where to go. Thailand is home to many popular attractions but the country places a special focus on water sports. Amongst these scuba diving is definitely one of the best as it is an unforgettable experience which everyone can enjoy. By using the right equipment, you can breathe underwater, and experience a whole new world which most people will never see.
You can watch beautiful marine life and admire the reefs while you float weightlessly by. There are thousands of fish and brightly-colored coral reefs to explore in Thailand and you can even swim next to manta rays, sharks, turtles, and barracudas!
When to Travel
Thailand is one of the most popular dive locations in the whole of South East Asia and welcomes thousands of divers each year. The country offers competitive prices and courses are available from many of the main scuba schools including PADI and SSI.
You can learn to scuba dive or train for a certification at any time during the year however your visibility may be limited depending on the season. If you plan to visit Thailand between October and April, then you should head to the Andaman Sea however, if you want to visit between May and September, then the Gulf of Thailand is best.
No matter where you decide to visit you can enjoy international standard boats, modern amenities, and professional facilities.
The Most Popular Dive Locations
PATTAYA – Pattaya is the only destination in Thailand where you can literally dive all year round. In the dive sites here you can dive to between eighteen and thirty meters and enjoy visibility between six and ten meters. Between November and June you can visit Koh Samet or Koh Chang, each of which allow you to dive between eighteen and thirty meters with an average visibility between ten and twenty five meters.
KOH TAO – Koh Tao is located in the gulf of Thailand and is a popular dive destination with those staying on the island of Koh Tao itself as well as the neighboring islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. This is an ideal destination for beginner divers however sites such as Chumphon Pinnacle and the slightly further away Sail Rock are ideal for advanced divers. The best time to dive here is between February and September and during the best months of the year (April – June) you can expect visibility of around 30 meters.
PHUKET – The Andaman Sea is considered to be one of the top ten scuba diving destinations in the world. Crystal clear waters, amazing rock formations and eye-catching reefs can all be found here as can a wide selection of marine life. The dive sites located just off the west coast of Phuket are ideal for beginners whilst more experienced divers will find better dives located just slightly further out. Half day dive trips can be booked on the island of Phuket and information about the dive conditions and the best dive sites to visit will be explained to you by the professionals.
THE SIMILAN ISLANDS – If you really want to go “all out” on your scuba diving vacation in Thailand, the Similan are an ideal choice. Here the main type of dive package is offered by means of a liveaboard dive boat. Often small and luxurious, this is one of the most perfect ways to undertake a dive vacation and the dive sites you visit will blow your mind. The marine life here is amazing, the dive sites are unique and the waters are so clear that you can see for at least 30 meters on an average day. And what better feeling is there than waking up in the morning to the sound of the ocean?
Author Bio
Laura Ginn writes for Extreme Sports X – an increasingly popular extreme sports magazine. She used to work as a Divemaster in Koh Samui and more information about scuba diving in Koh Samui can be found on her website.
