Overview
Fact File
| Capital | Bangkok
|
| Population | 70, 300,000 |
| Languages | Thai, Isan, Lanna, Dambro, Karen, Malay, Teochew, Hokkien
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| Time | GMT +7
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| International Dialling Code | +66
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| Money | Thai Baht (THB)
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| Tourist Board | |
| International Airports | Phuket (HKT), Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Hat Yai, Samui, Chiang Rai, Krabi, Lampang, Udon Thani, Sukhothai. |
About The Diving
Thailand is an extremely popular dive destination offering great diving year round, and two coasts to choose from. The visibility is excellent and the marine life vibrant. Whether you are into marine megafauna, macro spotting, wrecks, walls or shallow coral reef, Thailand has it all.
The Andaman Sea is home to some of the best diving in the world, with rich biodiversity, crystal clear waters and a wide variety of locations to choose from. The Gulf of Thailand has some of the best places to learn to dive or further your dive education, with calm, clear beautiful waters, plenty of life, and varied dive site options to keep the whole group happy.
Dive Highlights
Andaman Sea
The Surin Islands are known for their beautiful healthy corals and unique species on the reefs. This protected area is less touristy and so the reefs are in good health, with some lesser seen fish species and amazing coral diversity. Liveaboards visit this area October to May.
The Similan Islands are a hotspot for manta rays and whale sharks. Accessible via liveaboard, these stunning islands are home to some big pelagic species as well as healthy coral and macro life. The warm waters and easy diving make this a great holiday dive destination. Elephant Head Rock and Richelieu Rock are two of the best sites.
Phuket has lots of options close to the city for a good all round holiday spot. Whatever your preference, luxurious resorts or budget friendly options, you’ll find it here. The marine life is varied as are the dive sites, from wall and pinnacles, caverns to wrecks. The famous Koh Dog Mai drift dive is not to be missed.
Koh Phi Phi has lots of sites and is a great place to see leopard sharks and with no shortage of macro life like seahorses and mantis shrimp or big stuff, it’s a fantastic diving location. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are particular favorites.
Koh Lipe has stunning soft coral gardens in excellent condition thanks to the marine protected area. Turtles, dolphins, dugongs and whales are seen in this less touristy island.
The Gulf of Thailand
Pattaya and Koh Chang have some excellent wreck dives, mostly around 30m or more so they are best suited to experienced divers. The wrecks are covered in life and make for some wonderful dives. Those more into reefs will also find some great coral life here including Koh Man Wichai.
Koh Tao is a great place to learn to dive. There are numerous dive schools here and beautiful easy dives to complete your training. With lots of colorful sites to choose from experienced divers can also have a fun trip. Chumphon Pinnacle is one of the best sites in the area, with the top covered in anemones and large schools of fish. Wreck lovers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to dive the HTMS Sattakut, a 47m former Thai Navy vessel.
Koh Samui is a very popular tourist destination and so is more crowded that some of the other areas mentioned, however it also has some great diving. The sites around Koh Samui have calm waters, good vis and a great chance to see whale sharks. Sail Rock is an excellent site, with numerous fish, good macro life and the occasional larger visitor.
When To Go
Thailand has two diving areas. The Andaman Sea is best dived from October to the end of April, and the Gulf of Thailand which offers the best visibility May through September. Whale sharks are present between March and June.