Thailand is famous for its scuba diving, where warm, calm waters and an abundance of incredible marine life makes for spectacular dives. Thailand's diving is also very cheap compared to diving in Europe and the Caribbean, although for safety's sake care must be taken to use a reputable dive operator.
To get the most out of diving in Thailand, you need to know when and where to go. Not all of Thailand's dive sites are available all year round, so it pays to do a bit of Planning.
Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are widely regarded as one of the top 10 dive sites in consideration. This is a small group of uninhabited islands in the Andaman Sea, off the west coast of Thailand. The Similans are usually sleep through cruises from Phuket and Khao Lak, where to eat divers and dive visited the ship for several days. Usually the safari dive lasts for 4 days / 4 nights and let the divers get 14 dives.
The Similan Islands are an ideal place to learn toimmersion, as a diver in a diving safari again be able to exercise much to so many dives. It 'important to be informed by a reputable operator with full PADI Dive Safari and experienced teachers. Tell your provider about the novelty of their diving equipment and staff skills to ask.
The Similan Islands are only open to divers from October to May each year. The monsoon season occurs during June to September, making the sea too roughfor safe diving.
Hin Daeng / Koh Bida / Phi Phi / Koh Ha
This is a group of dive sites further south in the Andaman Sea from the Similan Islands and accessible from Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. They are usually visited on daytrips from these destinations, although there a couple of liveaboards who visit them. Koh Lanta in particular is a beautiful Thai island that is not as busy or expensive as Koh Phi Phi.
Hin Daeng and Koh Ha are also only open from October to May each year. Koh Bida and Phi Phi have a few reefs that are open all year round if you are visiting Koh Phi Phi.
Koh Tao
Koh Tao is a tiny island on the other, eastern coast of Thailand, above Koh Phangan, home of the Full Moon Parties. Koh Tao is a four hour ferry ride from Surat Thani on the mainland. Koh Tao is a burgeoning island for divers and also for chilled out escape - while popular, Koh Tao remains quite uncrowded.
There are lots of dive shops here that offer diving daytrips - there are very few scheduled liveaboards, although they do occasionally happen. The diving around Koh Tao is not considered as good as the Similans or Hin Daeng, but on its day it can be fantastic.
Koh Tao is also the most popular place to learn to dive in all of Asia Pacific, except for Cairns in Australia. If you want to learn to dive but don't want to commit to doing a liveaboard, Koh Tao is a great place to learn and also enjoy the laid back party scene as well.
Koh Tao's monsoon season lasts from September to December - it's still possible to dive during this time but the weather can be pretty rough.
Best Times Of The Year To Dive Thailand
Similan Islands and Hin Daeng / Koh Ha -- October to May
Koh Tao - January to September
Thailand Travel Dive Planning
When choosing your diving trip in Thailand, think about what time of year you can go and then decide if you want a diving safari or if you prefer to make day trips and returning to the hotel every night. Then ask Thailand Dive Centers, which are travel and diving packages - you can sometimes get real bargains. The dive operator can also give the best advice on how to get from Bangkok to know your favorite divedestination.
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