Scuba Diving in Thailand – Introduction
The spectacular marine life of Thailand is a major draw. The crystal-clear waters are home to the whale shark, bioluminescent plankton, and other amazing sea creatures. Here you’ll find some of the best dive sites in Southeast Asia and with good reason. The vast majority of divers who come to Thailand want to know where they should go scuba diving in Thailand. So without further ado, let’s dive in!
Where to go scuba diving in Thailand
Koh Tao
Koh Tao is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s known as one of the best destinations for scuba divers because its clear waters and coral reefs make it a great place to go diving.
The island is also a popular destination for gap year backpackers, especially younger divers who want to live on an inexpensive island and dive every day.
Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi is a small island off the coast of Thailand, to the southeast of Phuket. The island is a popular tourist destination and offers plenty to do for visitors looking for adventure. It’s also an excellent place to go scuba diving.
Koh Phi Phi has numerous dive sites in its surrounding waters. There are shipwrecks and many rocky outcrops with colorful coral and fish. Divers will find plenty of marine life scattered throughout these waters too: stingrays, turtles, eels, manta rays, and more!
Perhaps most importantly: Koh Phi Phi offers beginner divers an opportunity to immerse themselves into all these amazing things without needing so much experience. That’s great news if you’ve just stepped into the sport!
For more on Koh Phi Phi read this…
Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are a group of islands in the Andaman Sea, located off the west coast of the Phang Nga Province in Thailand. They are the most popular diving area and one of the best places for scuba diving in Thailand. The Similan Islands have beautiful coral reefs, sandy beaches, and clear blue waters.
The Similans are famous for their amazing marine life including vast schools of fish, sharks, and rays as well as other sea creatures such as turtles, dolphins, and whales (during winter). Most people choose to stay in Khao Lak after their dives due to its close proximity with some good accommodation options available there at reasonable prices compared to other areas like Koh Phi Phi or Krabi.
One dive site to note here is Richelieu Rock, arguably the best in Thailand.
For the full low down on diving in the Similans, read more here.
Or, see how we recommend diving in the Similans for the best experience here.
Surin Islands
The Surin Islands Marine National Park is a marine sanctuary that is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, as well as being a perfect place for snorkeling and diving. The islands are a great spot to see manta rays. There is also a rich history here dating back centuries, including war between Thai kings who fought over the land in the past.
Koh Chang
Koh Chang is a small island off the coast of Thailand, in the Gulf, to the east. It’s a popular destination for both tourists and divers alike and has a number of resorts and hotels that cater to both markets.
As well as being home to many tourist attractions, Koh Chang is also known as one of Thailand’s major diving destinations due to its clear waters and abundance of marine life. Here you can find everything from shallow reefs perfect for snorkeling, to deeper walls which are great for advanced scuba divers looking for something more challenging.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is a small island in the south of Thailand. It’s known for its beautiful beaches and resorts It’s also one of the best places to go scuba diving in Thailand.
Furthermore, there are many dive sites for every level of diver – from beginner to expert. So, no matter whether you want to try something new or master your skills further, Koh Lanta has something for you.
Scuba diving in Thailand – Dive Certification
Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for scuba diving in the world. The coasts and islands of Thailand offer stunning scenery and an amazing array of marine life. On top of that, there are many dive operators offering certification courses. If you are traveling to Thailand for your diving vacation, it’s important that you understand what certifications are required. Read on for some tips on getting certified in Thailand!
The best all-round diving certifications for recreational diving are the advanced open water level, as well as Nitrox certification. The Advanced Open Water Diver course is available with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) while SSI (Scuba Schools International) also offers similar. Both offer excellent training with good equipment and facilities at their dive centers around the world, including here in Thailand! There will usually be a short written test followed by some pool practice sessions. You will learn how to use your equipment safely under supervision before moving on to real underwater experiences!
If you are new to diving, this article you may wish to read – Scuba Diving in Phuket for Beginners | Where Do I Start?
Scuba diving in Thailand is an amazing adventure that you don’t want to miss out on.
Scuba diving in Thailand is an amazing adventure that you don’t want to miss out on.
There are many reasons why Thailand is such a popular destination for travelers. In addition, scuba diving in Thailand offers some of the most diverse and exotic underwater scenes imaginable. There are many different kinds of dive sites in Thailand and each one has its own unique beauty. They range from shallow reefs to wrecks and everything in between!
The water around Thailand is warm year-round, so some do dive without a wetsuit, although a thin shorty is generally recommended.
Conclusion
I hope this article has inspired you to go scuba diving in Thailand. It is an amazing adventure that you don’t want to miss out on. So, what are you waiting for? Go book your next scuba diving holiday in Thailand now!