Beauty Beneath the Waves: Scuba Diving in Thailand's Seas
Thailand is a country that offers a unique and unforgettable scuba diving experience, with its tropical waters and diverse marine life. With over 3,200 kilometers of coastline and a multitude of islands, Thailand boasts an abundance of dive sites suitable for all levels of divers. From vibrant coral reefs to deep-sea pinnacles, Thailand's underwater world is teeming with life and waiting to be explored.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, Thailand's warm waters and relatively cheap diving costs make it an excellent destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. Scuba diving in Thailand offers a wide variety of marine life encounters, including whale sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and colorful coral reefs that are home to countless species of fish.
In this article, we will explore some of the best places to scuba dive in Thailand, their unique characteristics, the cost of diving, and the marine life you can expect to see. So, whether you are looking to explore the depths of the Andaman Sea or the Gulf of Thailand, Thailand's underwater world is waiting to be discovered.
Diver at Deep-Six rock formation, Similan islands
1. Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are located in the Andaman Sea and are widely considered to be one of the best places to scuba dive in Thailand. The Similans are made up of nine islands, each with unique characteristics and diverse marine life. The environment around the Similan Islands is characterized by clear, turquoise waters, dramatic underwater rock formations, and vibrant coral reefs. The Similans are protected by the Mu Koh Similan National Park, which is home to an abundance of marine life.
To get to the Similan Islands, most divers depart from the town of Khao Lak, which is around an hour's drive north of Phuket. From Khao Lak, it takes around two and a half hours to reach the Similan Islands by speedboat. Liveaboard options are also available, allowing divers to spend several days exploring the dive sites around the islands.
The cost of diving in the Similan Islands varies depending on the dive center and type of dive package. Typically, a two-dive day trip to the Similan Islands will cost around 4,000-5,000 Thai baht (approximately 120-150 USD). Liveaboard packages range from 20,000-35,000 Thai baht (approximately 600-1,100 USD) depending on the duration and type of boat.
When diving in the Similan Islands, divers can expect to encounter an array of marine life, including manta rays, whale sharks, turtles, barracudas, and whale sharks . The coral reefs around the islands are also home to a diverse range of hard and soft coral, making for a spectacular underwater landscape.
Similan Islands offer an unforgettable scuba diving experience and are a must-visit destination for any diving enthusiast exploring Thailand's underwater world.
Diver with turtle in Koh Tao
2. Koh Tao “Turtle Island”
Koh Tao, also known as "Turtle Island," is located in the Gulf of Thailand and is a popular destination for scuba diving. The island offers a range of dive sites suitable for all levels of divers, from shallow coral gardens to deep wrecks and pinnacles.
Koh Tao has year long warm, clear waters, healthy coral reefs, and abundant marine life. The island is also home to several dive centers, making it a popular destination for both beginner and advanced divers. To get to Koh Tao, most divers take a ferry from either Chumphon or Koh Samui, which takes around two to three hours.
The cost of diving in Koh Tao is relatively cheap compared to other diving destinations, with a two-dive day trip costing around 2,000-3,000 Thai baht (approximately 60-90 USD). Dive courses are also available for those looking to get certified, with prices ranging from 10,000-20,000 Thai baht (approximately 300-600 USD) depending on the level of certification.
When diving in Koh Tao, divers can expect to encounter an array of marine life, including sea turtles, whale sharks, barracudas, and colorful schools of fish. The island's dive sites are also home to several wreck dives, including the HTMS Sattakut, a decommissioned Navy vessel that was sunk in 2011 to create an artificial reef.
Overall, Koh Tao is a destination for scuba diving enthusiasts looking to explore Thailand's underwater world. With its beautiful dive sites, affordable prices, and abundant marine life, Koh Tao is a top destination for diving in Thailand.
Diver with Whale shark at Richelieu Rock
3. Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock is a world-renowned dive site located in the Andaman Sea, north of the Similan Islands. It is widely considered to be one of the best places in Thailand to encounter whale sharks, making it a bucket-list destination for many divers.
The environment around Richelieu Rock is characterized by clear, blue waters, strong currents, and a diversity of marine life. The dive site is actually a submerged pinnacle, rising from a depth of 50 meters to just a few meters below the surface. It is covered in soft corals and sea fans, and is home to a variety of colorful fish species, including barracudas, trevally, and fusiliers.
To get to Richelieu Rock, most divers depart from the town of Khao Lak, which is around an hour's drive north of Phuket. From there, it takes around two to three hours by speedboat to reach the dive site. Liveaboard options are also available, allowing divers to spend several days exploring the dive sites in the area.
The cost of diving at Richelieu Rock is slightly higher than other dive sites in Thailand, due to its location and popularity. A two-dive day trip typically costs around 5,000-6,000 Thai baht (approximately 150-180 USD), while liveaboard packages range from 30,000-80,000 Thai baht (approximately 900-2,400 USD) depending on the duration and type of boat.
When diving at Richelieu Rock, divers have the opportunity to encounter a variety of marine life, including whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles. The dive site is also known for its abundance of smaller fish species, making it a paradise for macro photographers.
Richelieu Rock is a must-visit destination for any scuba diving enthusiast looking to encounter whale sharks and explore Thailand's underwater world. Its unique environment and diversity of marine life make it a top dive site not only in Thailand, but in the world.
