DIVE DESTINATION: ANDAMAN SEA, SOUTHWEST THAILAND

The start off point for both diving and snorkelling in Phuket Province in Khao Lak which is some 45 minutes drive from Phuket. The snorkeling here is particularly spectacular as the coral reefs are some of the most colourful around.

The Andaman Sea is admittedly the more dazzling of the two destinations as it holds some of the best coral formations and reefs as well as ocean drops and submerged pinnacles. Within the Andaman area where Phuket is located, popular dive sites are Phang-nga Bay, Krabi, Phi Phi Island, Ko Lanta and the Similan Islands.

At both locations, not only will you have a great time diving, but just exploring the archipelago itself is already an adventure. Diverse in Thailand can expect to see Nurse Sharks, the Hawks Bill Turtle, Anemone Fish (clown Fish), Barracuda, Scorpion fish, Manta Rays, the legendary Whale Shark and a large array of other marine life. Start your dive experience in Thailand and create your own personal memories now!

DIVE DESTINATION: SOUTHERN THAILAND

For the more adventourous, or those diverse with more experience, you can choose to start your dive experiences immediately in Southern Thailand’s beach destinations such as Phuket and Ko Samui. Diving in Phuket and Samui can be highly rewarding as the majestic Giant Manta Rays and Whale Shark visit the waters of both islands.

Apart from the great sea life, for those qualified deep sea diverse, wrecks and rock formations abound at both destinations abound and warrant as many as 5 dives to fully explore any one site. There is just so much to see and perhaps the first day is spent in awe of the site itself that not so much exploration is done.

Diving and snorkeling in Southern Thailand is a joy as the waters are still pristine and the sea life plentiful. It must be noted that the Gulf of Thailand’s waters are usually not as clear as the Andaman Sea due to the high amount of plankton in the waters. Despite this, divers dive at both destinations as the experience at either destinations are just incomparable and definitely worth the effort.

In the Gulf of Thailand, Ko Samui in Surat Thani is the launching pad for divers and snorkellers alike. Popular dive sites within this area are the many smaller islands off Samui such as Ko Pha-ngan, Ko-Tao and Chumphon.

DIVE DESTINATION (1)

Eastern Thailand (Gulf of Thailand) Within Chon Buri is the beach resort town of Pattaya, Thailand’s premier modern dive destination for wreck and technical diving with diving activities planned by the dive community there all year round. Off the shores of Pattaya are scatterings of small islands which can be explored, in combination with dive trips. In particular, close to Pattaya is Ko Chang (Chang Island), Thailand’s second largest island and, at the moment, relatively uncommercialised with an abundance of natural underwater treasures that are yet to be discovered. That’s just how new it is as a dive site, although popularity of Ko Chang is growing. (Photo from TAT)