Thailand Scuba Diving

232 Dive Sites in 17 Destinations

Bangkok (0)
Chon Buri (18)
Chumphon Province (12)
Ko Raya (0)
Krabi (50)
Phitsanulok Province (0)
Phuket (21)
Prachuap Khiri Khan (0)
Ranong Province (0)

Rayong Province (0)
Samut Prakan (0)
Satun Province (25)
Similan Islands (42)
Songkhla Province (0)
Surat Thani Province (57)
Trang (0)
Trat (7)

Derived the Thai word for 'freedom' and formally known as The Kingdom of Thailand and Siam, this exotic part of Southeast Asia is one of the world's better known island paradise dive destinations.

Its capital and largest city is Bangkok. Monasteries dotted around Thailand add to an air of spirituality which finds its roots in the local's widespread practice of Buddhism. This discipline encompasses attaining what is known as 'ultimate salvation' or 'nirvana' a state of enlightenment which involves applying the law of cause and effect or "Karma" to ones daily actions in order to improve the quality of life.

Since the 2004 Tsunami most of the affected areas have recovered well, such as the Similian Islands. Diving takes place all year round but the east coast's Andaman sea dive sites are the best around November to April. Water temperatures average 27 to 30 degrees with a visibility of 5 - 40m.

Diving The Andaman Sea

Phuket is located in the heart of the Andaman Sea, making it a popular base for liveaboard tours to the well known sites in its surrounds, such as Phi Phi Islands and Similan Islands. A wreck dive known as King Cruiser (a car ferry) and the leopard shark haunt Shark Point, make for thrilling experiences. Other interactive sites include the Manta Ray dive at Racha Noi South Point. As many as 30 other dive sites grace the area, among which are the popular Racha Yai, Siam Bay Statutes and Koh Dok Mai.

Just a hundred kilometers from Phuket are nine unique granite islands, the Similans which sport over 25 dive sites. A National Marine Park since 1982 the area is a very busy liveaboard destination. Both east and west offer an array of some of the most popular sites in Thailand. East of Eden sports large bommies, fan corals and other soft coral which in turn attract gorgeous tropical fish. The West is favorable for more adventurous exploration through the submerged granite rocks of Christmas Point and Elephant Head Rock. Aside incredible giant 3m sea fans, the Similians are known for leopard and whitetip shark sightings as well as ghost pipefish and giant bumphead parrotfish. Other spots include Chinese Wall, Sharkfin reef, Boulder City, and Stonehenge.

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Hin Daeng (Red Rock) is situated in the Mu Koh Lanta National Marine Park. This well known Whale shark and Manta ray dive spot offers everything from shallow walls covered in soft and hard coral with glassfish to deep 70m deep drop-offs. Schools snappers, jacks, trevally fusiliers and makarel play with crocodile long toms, barracuda moray eels.

Khao Lak is popular among the local divers for its location within easy reach of the all the aforementioned sites, just without the crowds. Here divers can enjoy the spoils of the Boonsung wreck. It's impenetrable, however there are plenty of yellow snapper, trevally, barracuda and batfish as well as lionfish, scorpionfish moray eel and marble stingray to fawn over.

Sister Islands Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh situated in the National Marine Park at Phang Nga Bay in the Krabi Province have achieved rank as one of the top five scuba destinations in Thailand.

Limestone cliff drop offs with caverns and swim throughs display colourful soft coral walls are characteristic of their sites which total 15 great spots to dive. There are plenty of glassfish, gorgonians, sea fans harbour pipefish, angelfish, crocodile long-toms, green and hawksbill turtles, squid, black-tip reef sharks and leopard sharks in the area. Make sure to visit Bida Nok and Nai, Hin Dot and Loh Samah Bay.

Krabi in Ao Nang offers a spoil of scuba diving opportunity with seven main islands to explore set in Hat Nopparat Thara - Mu Koh Phi Phi Marine National Park. Each has something unique to offer. Koh Ha is known for its vast variety of coral species and Koh Si is great for snorkeling.

Koh Yawabon offers technical divers a lengthy swim-through while Koh Talu's are alot easier. Koh Dor hosts black tip reef sharks and G.K. Island magical underwater coral plateau. At Koh Yawasamyou can even spot the rare red saddleback anemonefish. Other marine life around the islands include barracuda, squid, leopard sharks, sea horses, nudibranchs, scorpionfish, lobsters, large groupers and stingrays.

Koh Samui in the Gulf Of Thailand is its most popular tourist destination, the perfect area to visit all year round when the Andaman side has its low season. Ten top dive sites can be found near Koh Tao with the Ang Thong National Marine Park's whale sharks and dreamy coral to give you a taste of what's in store.

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