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Recommended Diving Websites
www.coralgranddivers.com |
www.thailandliveaboard.com |
www.similandivers.com
Dive and Snorkeling Tips in Thailand
A great diversity of the coral reefs and
outcrops of all shapes, sizes and colors
extend over the large offshore areas in the
seasonally calm and clear Thai seas. Some
grow to very impressive sizes, such as the
spectacular giant sea-fans. Visibility at
many diving spots is also second to none.
The underwater horizontal views can be
penetrated as far as the eye can see,
particularly in the Andaman Sea, on the left
side of Thailand’s South.
Accessibility and travel time are also
important for considerations. The dive sites
around Thailand are within easy reach and
are easily accessible by air, by sea or
overland by road and rail in a matter of
hours, rather than days. Most of the key
diving destinations around Thailand have
decent service infrastructure and offer a
reasonable degree of comfort and
convenience.
The best time to dive in the Gulf of
Thailand is between May and September while
the Andaman is at its best between October
and April. With access to one of the two
locations at various times of the year,
snorkeling and diving conditions are ideal
all year round.
When diving, divers should keep in mind that
corals are highly vulnerable and can be
damaged simply by a single touch. Here are
some diving safety and
environmental-friendly tips:
- Choose the diving operator who do mind on
your safety and is environmentally aware by
using safe mooring and anchoring procedures.
- Always plan your diving route before
leaving the shoreline.
- Always observe: surf, current, wave sets,
surge on reefs/ rocks.
- Be careful not to touch or step on coral
reefs.
- Bring along the first-aid kit including
peroxide, aspirin for sunburn and
cigarettes. Tobacco can help soothing most
stings.
- Enter and exit the sea from a sandy beach
area.
- Do not swim against the current, swim
diagonally across it.
- Snorkeling at dusk is not recommended.
- If drunken, better take a rest than swim,
snorkel or any other activities.
Dive in Thailand : Andaman Sea
The Kingdom of Thailand, often known as the
"Land of Smiles" is also a land of
fabulous diversity, and nowhere is this more
evident than in its crystal seas. With 2,600
kilometres of coastline and hundreds of
idyllic islands, Thailand's waters harbour a
mes-merising menagerie of life, from vast
coral reefs, to shoals of
brilliantly-coloured fish, to such
breathtaking and exotic visitors as manta
rays, turtles, sharks and dolphins.
The seas around Thailand are unusually calm
and clear, and at a temperature of around 28
degrees, perfect habitat fo, more than 200
species of coral and the tens of thousands
of different types of organism they support.
But a large part of the reason for
Thailand's marine bio-diversity lies in the
fact it comprises two distinct ecosystems.
To the west is the Andaman Sea, part of the
Indian Ocean, home to the
internationally-renowned resorts of Phuket
and Phi Phi and the world-class diving sites
of the Similan and Surin islands. To the
east stretches the Gulf of Thailand, famed
for its laid-hack diving havens of Koh Samui
and Koh Tao, and biggest marine national
park of the region, Mu Koh Ang Thong. One
benefit of these two systems is that
together, unlike other tropical locations,
they offer ideal snorkelling and diving
conditions all year round.
The Gulf of Thailand is perfect between May
and September, with the Andaman clearest
between October and April. As well as
crystal seas teeming with life, Thailand
offers laid-back beach life on golden,
palm-fringed shores, all the sports and
leisure activities you could desire and a
famously friendly and welcoming people. It's
no wonder that every year more and more
visitors come back to marvel at the Land of
Smiles.
Dive information : Gulf of Thailand
Pattaya | Koh
Larn ( Larn Island ) | Koh Samet
| Koh Chang |
Mu Koh Chang National Park |
Chumphon |
Chumphon Sea Islands |
Surat Thani |
Mu Koh Ang Thong National Park
| Koh Samui |
Koh Pha-Ngan |
Koh Tao |
Koh Nang Yuan
Pattaya
Pattaya is a vibrant coastal city with all modern
conveniences, excellent shopping and spectacular
nightlife. The city, less than rwo hours southeast of
BangKohk by road, was the first place in Thailand to
become developed as a tourist destination. Every
imaginable kind of water sport and seaside activity is
available here. Water-skiing, wakeboarding, jetskiing,
sailing, windsurfing, fishing and parasailing are easily
organised. Back on land, why not try go-carting, golf,
bowling, archery, target shooting, tennis or horse
riding? Pattaya was also the birthplace of the diving
industry in Thailand and there are dozens of dive shops
offering courses and tours to any 1evel and in any
language.
 Koh
Larn ( Larn Island )
Koh Larn is the most popular offshore island, with quiet
picturesque beaches and its own accommodation. This,
together with Koh Sak and Koh Krok are the most popular
dive sites for beginners. Further from the mainland, Koh
Rin and Koh Man Wichai have better visibility and
stronger currents suitable for more experienced divers.
Further southeast are the wreck diving sites that
Pattaya is most famous for.
Koh Samet
This small island, off Rayong on the southeastetn
sea- board, is one of the seven national marine parks in
Thailand. It is a favourite of Thai visitors, although
far fewer foreign visitors have discovered it, and
famous for its soft white sands. Favourite activities on
Koh Samet -apart from relaxing on the beach -include
windsurfing and diving. Several of the guesthouses on
the island arrange trips for swimming and snorkelling
and exploring nearby uninhabited islands.
Koh Chang
Koh Chang in Trat Province near the Cambodian border is
the largest island in Thailand after Phuket But although
it is big, beautiful and only 400 kilometres from
BangKohk, it remains serene and undeveloped, Almost 70
percent of Koh Chang is undisturbed island
rainforest, some of the best preserved in Thailand.
Its pristine beaches and unhurried way of life make it
the perfect destination for those looking for an idyllic
tropical island getaway. Because of its unspoiled
interior, walking is one of Koh Chang's most popular
activities, with trail, allover the island for any level
of skill and ambition These rontes can also be travelled
by mountain bike, available at Hat Kaibai and Hat Sai
Khao beaches.
Koh Chang is becoming increasingly popular as a water
sports centre, with dive shops on Hat Kaibai and Hat Sai
Khao and excellent diving and snorkelling sites allover
the island. The area's topography is also perfect for
sea-canoeing, and these, as well as sail boats can be
rented from many guesthouses and hotels.
Mu Koh Chang National Park
Mu Koh Chang National Marioe Park comprises 46 islands
apart from Koh Chang itself, 192 square kilometres of
land in 450 square kilometres of sea. The park offers
some fantastic diving and snorkelling, as well as
pristine islands, beautiful seascapes and idyllic
beaches and coves that can be visited by boat or
sea-canoe from Koh Chang. Koh Kut and Koh Mak are the
largest after Koh Chang, with simple accommodation. Koh
Mak you can rent jeeps and motorbikes to explore the
island's wild interior and organise diving trips to
uninhabited islaods. The small islands of Koh Rang and
Koh Rayang oear Koh Kut are renowned for their colourful
coral. For perhaps the best diving in the park, check
out the smaller islands of Koh Wai and Koh Lao-ya.
Chumphon
The town of Chumphon is the gateway to the golden
South. Many visitors know it as the departure port for
the dive haven of Koh Tao, two-and-a-half honrs away by
speedboat. Bnt in fact Chumphon has more than a few
attractions of its own. It too has a thriving diving
industry, thanks to the picturesqne islands in the
Chumphon sea, and some beautiful beaches along its 222-
kilometre coastline. The most famous of these is Hat
Thung Wua Laen; extremely attractive and boasting a wide
range of tourist facilities plus an annual windsurfing
competition in March or April. South of Chumphon is Hat
Arunothai, a six-kilometre, palm-fringed beach that
houses the shrine of HRH Prince Chumphon, the father of
the Thai Navy.
Chumphon Sea islands
Koh Mattra is a large island with spectacular rocks, a
coral reef and a rare crab called poo kai - or chicken
crab - which climbs trees and cheeps like a chick. Koh
Raet also has an extensive and colourful coral reef.
Great diving and snorkelling spots are to be found
around the islands of Koh Ngam Yai, Koh Ngam Noi, Koh
Samet, Koh Rang Kachiu, Koh Maphrao and Koh Chorakhe.
The undersea landscape of the Chumphon isles is
remarkably varied, with caves, rock piles and large
coral colonies. Look out in particular for the famous
black coral with shades of white, gold and yellow, and
several species of marine flower.
Surat Thani
Surat Thani, meaning "City of the decent people", is
known to many visitors as an embarkation point to the
famous islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
But the mainland town, and the eponymous province boast
some unforgettable attrac tions of their own. Khao Tha
Phet Wildlife and Nature Edncation Centre is just six
kilometres from the provincial capitac From the summit
of Khao Tha Phet, there are fantastic views of the Tapi
River and the town of Surat Thani.
The park also has a well-managed zoo To the west of
Surat Thani Province is Khao Sok National Park, boasting
more than 100 islands in its vast Cheo Lan ReservoiL The
park shelters a huge variety of wildlife; from leopards
to wild elephants, tigers and the Malayan sun beaL Khao
Sok is also . home to the higgest flower in the world,
the wild lotus, whose hloom can be up to 80 centimetres
in diameteL Hiking trails in the park lead to many
waterfalls.
Mu Koh Ang Thong National
Park
Koh Tao, Koh samui and Koh Phangan are all offer tours
to the 40 spectacular islands of the Mu Koh Ang Thong
Marine National Park. The islands are stunning; white
sand beaches, hidden lagoons, dense jungle and sheer
limestone cliffs. Day trips typically feature snorkel
ling and swimming in an enclosed lagoon on the Ang Thong
-Golden Jar -island that gives the park its name Most
visitors trek up to the island's highest point to get a
view of the whole group.
There is also a cave, Tham Bua Bok, whicb has weird
stone formations in the shape of lotuses For the
adventutous, sea canoeing trips to the Ang Thong park
can be organised from Chaweng Beach on samui, as well as
many different diving excursions. Some of the most
popular sites are Koh Wao and Hin Yipon, renowned for
shallow caves and colourful soft corals Bungalows can be
rented at the park headquarters at Koh Wua Ta Lap.
Koh Samui
The third biggest island in Thailand, Koh Samui is
tamous as the archetypal tropical island paradise. It
was, along with Phuket, one of the first of Thai-land's
islands to be discovered by tourists a mere 20 years
ago. Despire the addition of an airport, the isle
remains relatively undevel-oped for its status as a
premier international tourist destination -the island's
regulations prevent structures rising higher than the
palms. As well as a destination itself, Koh Samui is an
embarkation point for Koh Pha-ngan and visits to Ang
Thong National Marine Park.
Koh Samui's main beaches are Chaweng -a long and
stunning golden crescent framed by rocks and green hills
-and its neighbour Lamai. There are scores of
attrac-tive resorts on these and all over the island.
There are many good diving sites off Samui, the most
famous being Hin Bai, or Sail Rock. Jutting out of the
water 18 kilometres offshore, it is covered below the
surface in beautiful green and yellow coral and
frequented by large marine animals such as sharks and
rays. Because of its size and reputation, Samui boasts
all the facilities and activities you could wish for;
scuba diving is available on the main beaches, as is
windsurfing, wakeboarding, sailin and jetskiing.
Koh Pha-ngan
The island has developed a reputation as a quieter
and less developed alternative to Koh Samui, and still
has many deserted beaches. The live coral formations
around the island make snorkelling perenially popular,
and scuba diving trips to some of the best spots in the
Gulf depart from the islandis main beach, Hat Rin. Tours
leave the main port, Thong Sala, for excursions to the
Ang Thong National Marine park, and there are four
pictur-esque waterfalls in the islands interior, one of
which, Than Sadet, bears the royacinsignia, carved into
the rock, of three of Thailand's kings. Mountain bikes
are available at Thong Sala and Hat Rin to explore the
island.
Koh Tao
The tiny, undeveloped gem of Koh Tao or Turtle
Island is just 21 square kilometres, yet it is the
beating heart of diving in the Gulf of Thailand and home
to an incredible 20 diving schools and more than lOO
professional instructors. Koh Tao.s proximiry to
"under-water classrooms" makes it ideal for beginners.
There are dive sites just one kilometre from the island
where you can see pelagics, large schools of great
barracudas, big-eyed jacks, tuna and giant travellys.
There are also clown fish, shark whales and swordfish.
Koh Tao.s is also a departure point for trips to the Mu
Koh Ang Thong National Marine Park, and its coral makes
it great for snorkelling as well as diving.
Koh Nang Yuan
Just one kilometre north of Koh Tao is the beautiful
island of Koh Nang Yuan, the only place in the world
where three islands are joined together by a sandbar.
The island is worth exploring by foot, but is also home
to a variety of great dive sites. If you are diving at
White Rock, look out for a local personality, Trevor the
Terrible Trigger Fish. Trevor vigorously guards its nest
and its favourite trick is to ambush unsuspecting divers
from behind a rock.
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