What are the best spots for diving during your next charter in Thailand?
An endless series of bays with white beaches surrounded by luxuriant nature, welcoming and kind people, and some places where unrestrained fun is guaranteed. This is what has made Thailand one of the most popular tourist nations on the Asian continent.
However, there is a less striking aspect that has been able to capture the interest of hundreds of tourists: scuba diving.
Thailand is simply perfect for divers of all experience levels who find here the chance to dive with whale sharks and manta rays (among many fish) while surrounded by the coral of all types and colors.
The best way to discover some of these divers’ paradise places is certainly aboard a rental boat, perhaps already equipped with all the necessary equipment!
THAILAND YACHT CHARTER WITH SCUBA
First of all, a distinction must be made between the two major possible destinations: the coasts of Thailand in fact overlook two seas, completely different and separated from each other. To the west is the Andaman Sea, a vast body of water part of the Indian Ocean characterized by a very intense rainy season that runs from June to the end of October. To the east, we find the Gulf of Siam, a more circumscribed marine area less subject to monsoons which for this reason is chosen by tourists who visit Thailand during the summer.
Nothing prevents sailing south, circumnavigating the Malay peninsula and reaching Singapore, and then going up the coast to reach one or the other destination. However, this type of itinerary requires several days available and many hours of navigation.
We, therefore, decided to divide what we believe are the best spots for scuba diving in Thailand depending on whether they are on one side or the other:
The best dive spots in Thailand in the Andaman Sea
- Koh Phi Phi
Located in the open sea, between Phuket and Koh Lanta, they became famous thanks to the film “The Beach” with Leonardo Di Caprio. It is a small archipelago of rocky islands that hide wonderful white sand beaches.
They are one of the main diving spots in all of Thailand thanks to diving conditions suitable for all levels of experience, from beginners to professionals. Caves and ravines are in fact easy to find even at low depths and the water is almost always clear and crystalline. Here marine life explodes in a multitude of colors including corals and seahorses but also leopard sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays.
- Koh Lipe
Much further south of Koh Phi Phi is the small Koh Lipe which is part of the Tarutao Marine National Park. Much less touristy than other local destinations, this island is gaining ground among diving enthusiasts. Here you can find many species of tropical fish, turtles, dolphins, and even dugongs and sperm whales!
- Surin Islands
They are located north of Phuket in a fairly remote and still not too touristy area. This means that in their waters there are fish that cannot be found elsewhere such as parrotfish, napoleon fish, tomato anemonefish, angelfish masked in yellow, and barramundi as well as an infinity of soft and hard corals.
These islands are placed under the protection of the UNESCO environmental program and for this reason, they can only be explored from October to early May as the rest of the year the Mu Ko Surin Marine National Park is closed for divers.
- Similan Islands
South of the Surin Islands, we find an excellent diving spot in Thailand and one of the main diving destinations in the world: the Similan Islands, an archipelago of 9 small islands similar to white sand atolls.
This pride is due to the abundant marine life that surrounds them as well as easy diving conditions for all, warm waters and exceptional visibility.
Most divers visit the islands to see manta rays and whale sharks although it is possible to come across other shark and fish species such as leopard sharks, batfish, moray eels, and unicornfish.
Among the numerous diving spots, we certainly recommend Beacon Point at the extreme south of the islands and Elephant Head Rock between the central islands.
In order to preserve the local fauna and marine life, the Similan Islands are closed to tourism from May 1st to October 15th each year.
The best dive spots in Thailand in the Gulf of Siam
- Koh Tao
The smallest of the wonderful trio of islands that it makes up with Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, Koh Tao is a wonderful green island perfect for regenerating thanks to a quiet life and beautiful beaches.
Many tourists instead choose it also and above all as a place to have the first diving experiences. The reason? Mainly the cheap course prices, easy conditions, and beautiful locations. In addition, local dive schools have an excellent reputation with both newbies and the more experienced for learning new skills and improving them.
- Pattaya
Just south of Bangkok bay is the city of Pattaya. Scuba diving is especially famous for wrecks. The most famous is located just 40 minutes from the shore and is the wreck of HTMS Kut. Superbly preserved by the Thai Navy, the wreck presents very few dangers to divers who pass through the engine room and inspect its interiors and exteriors without any danger.
One of the most famous dive sites for coral is instead at Koh Man Wichai, where the coral resembles a giant hand and has therefore been called “fingers”. As you dive around the beautiful corals you can spot some puffers, rays, angelfish, and many more.
- Koh Samui
This island is located south of Koh Tao and is one of the most popular and busiest tourist destinations in Thailand. However, it does offer some of the best dive sites in Thailand, such as Sail Rock. Whale sharks are often spotted while scuba diving around Koh Samui. Many barracudas, turtles, trevally, and various nudibranchs and shrimps can also be seen. Additionally, diving conditions around the island are great all year round, with calm waters and generally good visibility.
Contact now YBH Charter Brokers:
You can contact us by sending an email at ask@yourboatholiday.com or by phone, calling +39 33436 00997, available also on WhatsApp for both calls and texting.
The Best Dive Spots in Thailand
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