Best Diving in Thailand - Top 8
My four F’s for choosing a holiday destination:
• Fun for all
• Friendly people
• Fantastic value
• Photographers dream
The last ones a stretch but I am taking it!
Where you ask? Thailand of course!
Boring! I hear you say. It has been done to death, but hear me out.
I myself was of the same opinion, having travelled from north to south and everywhere in between, that was until I found Koh Lanta.
Selfishly I was going there for the diving, but my wife (non diver) was of the same opinion. The mixture of cheap and expensive accommodation and super friendly staff gave the island a casual back packer feel but with the mod cons if you wanted them.
Getting there?
Fly via Bangkok into Krabi, mini bus transfer 2- 3 hours
Time to go?
Peak time is November to March where everything is in full swing and the weather is at its driest. Personally I prefer to go in the shoulder season of either April or October as the accommodation is usually cheaper and more available, and the towns a little more sedate. You might cop the occasional wet season down pour, but if your reading this I am sure getting wet is never a problem! Off season many places close down and the car ferry may not operate, check before booking.
Where to stay?
Ban Sala Dan is the main town with modern shops and restaurants but is probably not the best place to stay.
Ban Phra-Ae (Long Beach) is the most popular beach resort destination, still with plenty of restaurants, bars and shops to choose from, and only a short tuk-tuk ride into Ban Sala Dan.
What to expect?
Koh Lanta’s location in the Andaman Sea makes it the closest of all the islands to the world famous Koh Haa dive sites, home to everything from the smallest shrimp to the occasional whale shark.
Unfortunately I was only able to squeeze in 3 days of diving but the variety of reefs, marine life, caves and swim-throughs was unbelievable, and left me wanting more and more. There is a huge range of dive sites suitable for all levels of experience, with water temperatures of 28 C and average visibility of 20 – 30m, writing this makes me wish I was back there now.
Giant Moray, Sea moths, Common Lionfish, Spotted Lionfish, Scorpion fish, Cuttle fish, File fish, Squid, Cod, Banded Sea snake, Cleaner Shrimp, Mantis Shrimp, Yellow Snapper, Grouper, Rainbow runners, Trumpet fish, Barracuda, Peacock Flounder, Rock mover Wrasse, Porcupine fish, Trigger fish, Sand Lizard etc etc.
These are only some of the creatures listed in my log not to mention the ones I didn’t, as well as the outstanding reefs and swimming through the iconic ‘chimney’ and ‘cathedral’ sites.
Other Activities
There is almost as much to do and see above the water as below it, with great beaches, hikes, food, markets and people to experience.
Try your hand at the cooking school, or visit the local markets for a taste of Thai life.
There is a fantastic rescue shelter running for stray cats and dogs, which you are more than encouraged to volunteer your time to help walking, cleaning feeding and even adopting these beautiful animals.
