At the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand, the “Land of a Thousand Smiles,” is a country proud of its unique culture and famous worldwide for its cuisine. You’ll find palm fringed white sand beaches, colourful coral reefs and many exhilarating cultural attractions in some of Southeast Asia’s liveliest cities. With the Gulf of Thailand on the east and the Andaman Sea on the west, diving opportunities include fringing reefs, deep drop-offs, wrecks, walls, caverns, tunnels, pinnacles or open ocean seamounts. In the evenings, you’ll find entertainment varies from phenomenal dining and chilled out sundowners to night clubbing and lively full moon parties.
Expect to be overwhelmed with a riot of colour and clouds of fish. Your first dive could feel somewhat dizzying with the frenetic activity of Thailand’s reef inhabitants. Colourful reef fish of every species and description glide around. You’ll see a variety of angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, wrasse, surgeonfish, triggerfish and trumpetfish. Stonefish, scorpionfish, lionfish, sea snakes and morays bring their brand of intimidation. Barracuda, tuna, jacks and even sailfish can be seen hunting the unsuspecting. Expect a variety of rays including mantas; whale sharks and sharks will delight you. Macro lovers will not be disappointed with the chance to see an array of nudibranch, shrimp, pipefish and other tiny oddities.
Suvarnabhumi International Airport located in Bangkok is the main gateway to the country and most likely where you will land. Don Muang International Airport is the old main airport also located in Bangkok. This airport mainly serves the budget, domestic and regional international connections. You can get anywhere from Bangkok, most travel agents will be able to book your onward connection to your destination before you fly.
You don’t have to stay on Koh Racha to enjoy the diving here. Dive operators in Phuket do visit Koh Racha too. If you choose accommodation on the island, apart from having a more blissful experience, shore diving will be available to you. Boat diving will zip you around the island’s bays to discover its underwater gems. Conditions, on the whole, are bright and clear...
Koh Samui is part of the 600 island strong Chumphon Archipelago that also includes Ang Thong Marine Park, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.While Koh Samui does have some shore dives they are certainly not what they would have been 20 years ago and overhead boat and jet ski traffic is an issue. Dive centres on Koh Samui will, on the whole, take you to the dive sites around Koh...
Pattaya has become synonymous with wreck diving, but there’s certainly more to see underwater than metal. Diving is year around. Some sites do experience some strong current making them great drift dives but unsuitable for less experienced divers. Access to any site is by boat and focussed on three main areas locally known as the Near Islands, the Far Islands, and...
When operators suggest that you will be the only divers on the site, they’re not lying. It’s entirely possible to dive here and not see another dive boat for your whole trip. The marine life isn’t accustomed to divers which makes for some more natural behaviors and some exciting night dives. The diving here is for the more advanced with some deep diving experience or...
Koh Lipe is a small island on the border of the Tarutao National Marine Park, close to the Malaysian border. Picture postcard white sand beaches, tropical palm trees and warm aquamarine waters make this an idyllic island destination. With an estimated 25% of the world’s tropical fish species being found here along with dugongs, dolphins, 3 species of turtle, minke...
Located between the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao, Koh Phangan is an iconic Thai diving destination renowned for whale shark sightings and access to some of the best dive sites in the region. Underwater you’ll find yourself immersed in colours and life while on the island itself there are numerous stunning white sand beaches fringed with coconut trees, incredible...
Shot to fame by the blockbuster movie “The Beach”, Koh Phi Phi is still one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations. Koh Phi Phi is a place to explore white sand beaches, beautiful coves and bays as well as a range of dive sites. The island is surrounded by national marine park and dive sites are characterised by rugged, coral adorned limestone walls. Vivid...
Koh Chang’s bohemian and laid back vibe bodes well with its white sand beaches, palm trees and warm aquamarine waters. Koh Chang, meaning Elephant Island, is also home to mountainous rainforests and a range of wildlife including a variety of bird species, deer and elephants. Best Scuba Diving Spots in Koh Chang HTMS Chang Wreck Hin Luk Bat Koh Rang T11 Wreck Thonburi...
With over 20 kilometres / 12 miles of white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and dense tropical rainforest, Khao Lak still maintains a remote island vibe. Despite being one of Thailand’s quieter destinations you’ll find accommodation and facilities for every budget. Khao Lak is the perfect place to relax and enjoy breathtaking natural surroundings. Best Scuba...
Koh Lanta is an island located in the Krabi Province on Thailand’s Andaman Coast. Its crystal clear waters, mangroves, white sand beaches and lush rainforests make it a popular holiday destination. Underwater is equally spectacular with whale shark and manta ray sightings, vibrant reefs, abundant marine life and easy access to some of the region’s most famous dive...