Diving in Thailand is one of the most exciting and sought after tourist experiences. Its popularity is due to the richness of the underwater world of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, as well as a relatively low degree of risk – there are virtually no strong currents, low tidal levels, the bottom topography of the coast is stable and varied, it has no sharp differences in depth. For all the richness of the fauna, the number of dangerous marine animals (sharks) is much less than in Sri Lanka and Australia.
How much does it cost to dive in Thailand
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Diving in Thailand is not regulated by the state, so there is no uniform price list for the services of the centers providing diving services (including equipment rental). However, there is a general rule which forms the prices for diving in Thailand. If the diver has no experience in diving, then he will pay 50% more than the one who has it. In addition, much depends on the comfort of the boat, rented for the day charter and the number of sites visited, which are considered the most interesting and safe (the so-called dive sites). For example: on Phuket a day cruise and three anchorages will cost a tourist $100-200 (read more about diving in Phuket).
So for those wondering how much diving in Thailand costs, you should know that prices increase as you move toward the equator. The cheapest it will cost you in Pattaya. The most striking, but also the most expensive, underwater trip is offered on Thai islands, especially small and sparsely visited. Services of dive clubs in Thailand are cheaper than in Europe or America, but significantly more expensive than in Turkey or Egypt.
Newcomers are available not only a few dives (40 minutes, 12 meters) accompanied by an instructor, which will cost at least 2700 baht, but also a full training. Three days of lessons with an international certificate PADI Open Water Diver costs from 12 thousand baht.
Best dive seasons
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Many tourists are wondering not only where the best diving in Thailand is, but also in what season it is best. If we consider this problem in terms of physiological comfort, then it is worth knowing that in dry season – it conventionally lasts from early October to mid-March – the water temperature is from 18 to 29 0C. But during the period of monsoon rains – from May to September – it gets from 26 to 32 0C.
While water temperatures are year-round for this activity, professional divers note that the same place is more or less suitable for diving in different months. For example, the waters off the Andaman coast – Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Similan Islands – are most beautiful from November to late March. But on the opposite, eastern coast of the Malacca Peninsula – the islands of Samui, Ko Tao, the best season for diving is from January to September. In the fall, however, and before the start of calendar winter, storms are frequent near the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand, and the water is opaque.
Best places to dive
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It’s doubtful that you won’t find offers of several dive centers at any resort in Thailand. But if you’re already a seasoned diver, it’s best to go to places where services of this kind are provided at a really professional level. First of all, to the islands. Such as Similans, Samui, Phangan and others (read more about diving in Samui with a Russian guide). Now we will tell you where, in our opinion, the best places for diving in Thailand.
Siamese Bay
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A relatively shallow body of water (no more than 90 meters deep), with about 112 large and small islands. There are reefs, but not many. The waters around Ko Tao Island are the most attractive for diving. There most of the surveyed dive sites are located near the underwater rocks, one of which (Green) is interesting with many underwater tunnels.
Diving in Thailand in Pattaya beckons those who want to see various man-made objects on the bottom. For example, available for viewing the carcass of the cruiser “Nardip”, sunk at a depth of only 26 meters. The coast in this area is made of limestone, permeated with underwater caves, the most famous of which is the Twin Cathedrals. It has two halls inhabited by turtles, squid and zebra sharks.
The islands Pangan and Tao will delight divers with clear water, with visibility up to 25 meters. And the island Samui is interesting colony of red anemones and the rock Sail, which rises above the sea surface to 15 meters. It is also the starting point for diving tours of the Ang Thong Marine Park.
Fans of night diving can go to the Chumphon Reserve, whose underwater inhabitants are active at night. Forty protected islands, coastal coral reefs. You can see turtles, many species of fish and even whale sharks.
Andaman Sea
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The tourist center of the coast is Phuket Island. Diving is also possible in the province of Krabi, the islands of Ko Lanta, Ko Lipe, Similan, Surin and others. The aftermath of the devastating tsunami of 2004 is almost invisible, underwater you will see real coral gardens populated by a variety of fish – barracudas, rays, sea bass, whale and leopard sharks. As well as turtles, crustaceans and invertebrates – octopus, squid.
Diving in Thailand in Phuket falls more into the Wreck category – visiting sunken ships. These are places like Ter Bay and Racha Yai, where underwater there is a whole graveyard of ships and other machinery. But the most interesting excursion in Phuket is a visit to the reef Anemones, next to which at a depth of 32 meters (captain’s bridge at 18 meters) lies Japanese ferry King Cruiser. Over 20 years, the 85 meters long ship has become a kind of artificial reef. There live stingrays, barracudas and scorpions. Divers with AOWD certificate are allowed to dive.
The underwater world around the Similan Islands is enchantingly beautiful, but these are places for experienced divers because of the great depths and rather strong currents. The most notable places are Stonehenge, a rock formation teeming with fish and other sea creatures, and Elephant Head Rock.
If you are interested in a pristine, unspoiled underwater world, go to the Surin Islands. They are located in the Andaman Sea, 80 km west of the coast of Ranong Province.
Cave diving
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Cave (cave) diving tours in Thailand are very popular among experienced divers. The greatest number of underground cavities are in the province of Krabi, whose geological structure is dominated by limestone. The deepest of them – the cavity surveyed to a depth of 240 meters – is the cave Tham Sra Kaeo. It is ground-based and consists of two small pools connected at a depth of 84 meters. It is located twenty kilometers north of Krabi Town, near the village of Bai Nai San.
Krabi Town.
Nearby Phuket, there’s an island – more like a 30-meter-high limestone rock – called Ko Dok Mai. It is one of the most popular dive sites in the area. It is interesting because of the vertical wall, going 40 meters into the sea. It has two entrances to sea caves at a depth of 18 and 22 meters. The first, about ten meters long, can be visited by divers with an OWD certificate. The second is only available to professionals. It is about 40 meters long and consists of two halls connected by a submerged channel (siphon).
Read More:- Diving in Phuket is a scuba diver's paradise.
- The weather, beaches, prices in Phuket in spring – in March, April, May.
- Are there sharks in Thailand and how can you avoid being attacked by them?.
- Introduction to Thailand – step by step instructions.
- 7 The Most Exciting Excursions in Krabi Province.
- Ko Tao is a great island for diving in Thailand!.