Adventure & Sports: Scuba Diving in Thailand
Thailand's diving sites have been rated as some of the world's finest as they offer divers and nature lovers an exhilarating opportunity to observe a vibrant underwater world teeming with a tremendous diversity of colourful marine life.
The tropical waters around Thailand are particularly calm and clear and provide an ideal habitat for more than 200 species of coral and a myriad of other fascinating marine life. Thailand's exceptional marine bio-diversity is the result of two distinct marine ecosystems -- the Gulf of Thailand to the east with the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Mu Koh Ang Thong, the largest marine national park, being the crown jewels of the region.
To the west, hundreds of idyllic islands are dotted around the Andaman Sea which forms part of the Indian Ocean. Of this tropical islands of the Andaman, Phuket and Phi Phi being the best known, while the Similan and Surin islands have been rated as world-class diving sites.
The best time to be 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, snorkelling and diving conditions are ideal all year round.
Diving Destination
The Andaman Sea
- PHUKET The diving season extends from November to April. Depths of 30-45 metres with 10-25 metres visibility. Recommended attractions: Koh Racha island and Shark Point
- SIMILAN The diving season extends from December to April. Depths of 25-90 metres with 35-40 metres visibility. Recommended attractions: Koh Huyong island and Elephant Rock (more.)
- SURIN The diving season extends from December to April. Depths of 25-70 metres with 20-40 metres visibility. Recommended attractions: HQ Bay and Turtle Ledge (more.)
- KOH PHI PHI The diving season extends from January to March. Depths of 25-40 metres with 15-30 metres visibility. Recommended attractions: Phi Phi Don and Koh Bida Nok (more.)
- TRANG The diving season extends from January to May Depths of 25-45 metres with 20-40 metres visibility. Recommended attractions: Emerald Cave and shipwrecks (more.)
- KOH TARUTAO The diving season extends from December to May. Depths of 15-35 metres with 15-35 metres visibility. Recommended attractions: The islands of Koh Khai and Koh Ngam (more.)
The Gulf of Thailand
- PATTAYA All year round diving. Depths of 18 - 30 metres with 6-10 metres visibility. Recommended attractions: The islands of Koh Lan, Koh Pai and Koh Rin
- KOH SAMET The diving season in Koh Samet is from November to June. Depths of 18 - 30 metres with 10-20 metres visibility. Recommended attractions: Koh Coral and shipwrecks
- KOH CHANG The diving season in Koh Chang extends from November to June. Depths of 18 - 30 metres with 10-25 metres visibility. Recommended attractions: The islands of Koh Wai and Koh Kradat
- KOH SAMUI The diving season in Koh Samui is from March to October. Depths of 15 - 40 metres with 10-25 metres visibility. Recommended attractions: The islands of Koh Tao and the Mu Koh Ang Thong National Park.
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| Koh Samui Travel Guide
Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest island at 247 square kilometres, and during the last decade it has become one of Southeast Asia's premier tourist destinations.
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