TRAVEL

We have covered most of the dive areas of Thailand however there are some other excellent spots that fall into this category. Further north of The Similans lie a number of world class dive sites in Thai waters. Namely Koh Bon, Koh Surin, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. Great visibility and big pelagics can be found here. Further south of Phuket are a couple of quieter and less developed dive sites that are also worthy of a mention. If you know of any we have missed out please let us know and we will add them.

Koh Lipe is the only inhabited island in the Butang group in the Tarutao National Park, deep south Thailand. The protected archipelago is made up of at least 45 islands, Koh Tarutao being the largest and the Butang group lies west of this. Diving here is realtively unspoilt and can be rewarding with at least seven discovered submerged pinnacles and a multitude of other dive spots in the area including 8 Mile Rock ; a pinnacle covered in soft coral dropping to nearly 50 metres deep and Hin Chabang with its wonderful soft coral. All regular Andaman marine inhabitants can be found here including those big pelagics that we all yearn to see.

Khao Lak is located on the Andaman coast around 100km north of Phuket and is widely considered to be the gateway to the Similans. The dive operators in Khao Lak offer speedboat trips and can get you to the Similans in around an hour and twenty minutes. Diving from here is a little more expensive here but it does offer the convenience of getting to and from premier dive sites without the hassle and extra expense of booking a liveaboard trip.

The town itself has largely recovered from the 2004 tsunami and is a pleasent place for a relaxing holiday with several good beaches, plenty of resorts and a number of fine restaurants.

The tiny island of Koh Phi Phi has been a backpacker destination for years, not surprising then that it is also a great diving destination. Being centrally located it serves as a great base to explore local dive sites and those further afield at Phuket, Krabi and Lanta. With crystal clear waters, fringing reefs, local islands and a laid back beach atmosphere Koh Phi Phi truly is a paradise. We are unsure about the current infrastructure on the island since the December 26th tsunami hit. Local authorities are doing all they can to rebuild the island to its former beauty.

Phuket can be considered the dive hub of the Andaman. With countless number of dive operators offering daytrips and liveaboards to pretty much every dive spot in the area and beyond you really are spoilt for choice. With an international airport, more accommodation than you can shake a stick at and nightlife that never stops Phuket is the place to be. Choose between the local dive sites, further afield to Koh Phi Phi, a liveaboard to the Similans, or even the Mergui Archipelago and Burma Banks, its all available from Phuket.

Although Koh Lanta is still in Krabi province it is far enough away to have its own section. Some of the best dive sites in Thailand can be reached from Lanta. With something for everyone from the outer rocks and islands for the experienced diver to calm gentle fringing reefs for the avid snorkeller. The island also offers pristine white sand beaches, lush tropical rainforrests and cascading waterfalls.

Krabi offers more than just spectacular scenery above the surface, go below and you'll find an abundance of marine life awaits. Although some dive sites have suffered recent tsunami damage the deeper waters remain relatively intact. Krabi can serve as a good base to explore the smaller local offshore islands or go further afield to Koh Phi Phi. Most of the local dive operators are located at Ao Nang, a coastal resort around 30 minutes drive from Krabi town.

Koh Samui doesn't have the quality of diving found further north at Koh Tao but it does provide a base to get there or explore some of the more unspoilt dive sites in the area. With trips out to the National Park or the liveaboard option to the remote southern islands Samui is the island or choice. Accommodation ranges from beach bungalow to five star resort.

Koh Tao is more than 21 square kilometers and is located around 70km east off the coastline between the Thai provinces of Surat Thani and Chumphon. It is easily accessible by boat from Chumphon on the mainland and Koh Pha-ngan to the south. High speed catamaran services ply the waters nowdays making the transfer swift and efficient unlike the overnight slow boat of days gone by. The name means Turtle Island in Thai because in the past the waters surrounding it were rich in hawksbill and green sea turtles, though a lot rarer nowdays they still can be spotted while diving around the island's many dive sites. Over the last ten years or so the tropical beauty and abundant marine life of Koh Tao has increased its popularity and it is now the premier spot in the country for learning to dive.

Chumphon province is one of the lesser known diving spots of Thailand. With around 50 islands to choose from there is no limit to what you may find under the surface. With an abundance of marine life, caves and swimthroughs on offer the area can also boast relatively unspoilt diving as it has not been hit by the mass tourism and development that you'll find in Pattaya and Phuket. Although you won't get as good visibility as you can on the Andaman side, if dived at the right time of year, Chumphon can be extremely rewarding both to the novice and experienced diver.

More info on Chumphon can be found here: Chumphon

The advantage that Pattaya enjoys over other dive destinations in Thailand is the fact that it is not seasonal. There are no monsoons here messing up the viz and you can pretty much get wet all year round. While Pattaya does not get the viz or marine life of the Andaman it still has plenty of interesting island sites to explore and several wrecks. Wreck diving really is the highlight here and there are plenty of dive operators in Pattaya to help you arrange that trip.

Koh Chang is one of the few remaining loactions in Thailand that has survived the mass development and tourism that others have suffered. This is surprising considering it is the Kingdom's second largest island. Koh Chang itself is the largest of 52 islands that make up the Koh Chang Marine National Park. Untouched and pristine, its natural resources and marine life make it one of the frontier dive destinations in Southeast Asia. Most of Koh Chang's dive sites are located to the south of the main island.

Thailand liveaboard trips

We now also offer liveaboard trips to the Andaman from Thailand, visit the Similans, and world class dive sites of Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai from the luxury of a liveaboard, find out more here: Thailand Liveaboards