About Scuba Diving in Thailand

Thailand is famous as a world class destination for scuba diving. This tropical paradise is blessed with glorious beaches along its vast stretches of coastline – 2000 km (1243 miles) in all! The shores are lapped by crystal clear waters that average a balmy 28 degree C all year round. Under the waves there is a wide variety of natural formations such as walls, caves and tunnels, fringing reefs, hard and soft corals and all sorts of exotic marine fauna for the adventurous to explore. Another unique diving attraction is the many wrecked ships deep below the surface of the sea, just waiting to be explored.

Divers with all levels of experience are welcome and courses for beginners through experts are readily available. You will need at least basic lessons or a diving license in order to join a diving tour or to rent equipment. Due to the wide variety of types of diving sites and degrees of difficulty, it’s a good idea to read up on them while your trip is still in the early stages of planning. That way you can choose where to go and what to bring. Check to see whether scuba gear is provided on any tours you’d like to join, or whether you will need to rent it. If you’re traveling with children, you’ll be able to find diving courses for them as well, plus family diving tours that include a load of other fun activities. The same area from which you’ll be diving will most likely also be a pleasant spot for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, sand castle building, fishing, boating, climbing and exploring. Snorkeling is great for younger or timid children, as well as more adventurous types. A new type of sport that kids in particular seem to enjoy is snuba diving, a combination of scuba diving and snorkeling.

Because Thailand is a large country with two extensive seacoasts – one on the Gulf of Thailand to the east and the other on the Andaman Sea to the west – you have quite a choice of diving destinations. Generally divers head for the Andaman seacoast, on the southern part of the Thai mainland and also in the Similan Island area further north. However you need to take the Thai climate into account. The dry season from October to May is usually the best time for general tourism as well as diving. From May until September the Andaman coast is hit by heavy rainfall, so at this time of year diving in the Gulf of Thailand is a better option. Some of the best Gulf diving is around the island of Koh Tao, justly known as one of the most popular dive sites in the whole of Asia.

Once you’ve decided which diving areas you’d like to try, you can plan your vacation around them, if you wish. To simplify your visit to Thailand, you may book airfare, land transportation, accommodation and diving tours before you ever leave home. This is probably the best option if time is limited, you are coming during peak season or you are traveling with your family group. Otherwise, you can look for your favorite diving spots once you are already in the country.

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