Swim alongside the world's largest fish - the Whale Shark and be awed by the haunting underwater flight of the Giant Manta Ray! Thailand is THE diving school destination for the enthusiasts.
Most dive operators also incorporate interesting activities in a dive package to make your trip even more thrilling, combining them with sightseeing tours. For instance, when in Phuket, dive packages often include a visit to the pearl cultivation island, Ko Naga. Underwater cave exploration is also a great option for the more seasoned diver.
Surfing on water bodies with a mask, snorkel, swimfins, you can enjoy underwater action for a longer duration of time. Snorkelling is a great activity for those who have younger children accompanying the group as the risk of an accident is almost non- existent. Because of the life vests, those who cannot swim can also enjoy snorkelling.
Destinations for diving
Within Chon Buri is the beach resort town of Pattaya; Thailand's premier modern dive destination for wreck and technical diving with diving activities planned by the dive community there all year round.
Friendly snorkelling trips and basic lessons are available throughout Phuket, Ko Samui, Pattaya and all other beach destinations in Thailand and are usually combined with great sea kayaking experiences and picnics on isolated islands and marine national parks.
In Southern Thailand's beach destinations such as Phuket and Ko Samui, diving can be highly rewarding as the majestic Giant Manta Rays and Whale Shark visit the waters of both islands.
In the Gulf of Siam, Ko Samui in Surat Thani is the launching pad for divers and snorkellers alike. Popular dive sites within this area are the many smaller islands off Samui such as Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Tao and Chumphon.
Within the Andaman area where Phuket is located, popular dive sites are Phang-nga Bay, Krabi, Phi Phi Island, Ko Lanta and the Similan Islands.
When is the best time?
In the Gulf of Thailand, Southeast Thailand, diving can be done almost all year round in Ko Samui. However, the best time to dive in the gulf is during April when the chances of running into a whale shark and giant manta rays are the greatest. The worst time to dive is during November as the waters are choppier due to the strong winds.
Necessary precautions
Diving with non - PADI accredited operators can be risky as they may not include insurance or proper emergency procedures within their packages.
Visit www.padidiveguides.com for a useful list of not only dive sites, but also a list of sea life that can be found, as well as a list of PADI accredited dive schools and operators in Thailand.