Best diving in Thailand - top 8 - Bluewater Dive Travel

Best Diving in Thailand - Top 8

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(7 REVIEWS)
A diver explores a coral reef in Thailand.
Best scuba diving in Thailand coral reef.
Clownfish in their anemone at a Thailand dive site.
An orange sea fan in Thailand.
diving thailand
thailand marine life
Scuba Diving Thailand
Thailand Diving
Wooden boats and limestone karsts at Railay Beach in Thailand.
Best Scuba Diving Thailand
A silhouette of Buddha during a sunset in Thailand.
Thailand Scuba Diving

SCUBA DIVING IN THAILAND

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Thailand diving highlights

Hosting divers in both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand from over 1200 miles of coastline, this scuba destination is a great fit for divers of any level. Scuba diving in Thailand is popular due to the opportunity to dive with whale sharks and manta rays. You can see many pelagics but also smaller fish and critters. Many dive sites have beautiful hard and soft coral and abundant marine life.

A diver swims along a vibrant coral reef in Thailand. Clown fish in an anemone on a colorful coral reef while scuba diving in Thailand.

Anemones cover a reef at a dive site in Thailand. A huge sponge surrounded by soft corals at a scuba dive site in Thailand.

Thailand dive schools have a great reputation, which is why it is also known as one of the best destinations to learn scuba diving or develop new skills as a certified diver. A combination of big and small marine life, wrecks and dive sites for a variety of levels makes Thailand one of the best scuba diving destinations in Southeast Asia

THAILANDS' BEST DIVING SPOTS

Pick a destination or scroll down to read the entire list:  

1. Koh Tao - Great reputation for dive schools

2. Koh Phi Phi - Many dive sites for spotting leopard sharks

3. Koh Lipe - Most beautiful soft corals

4. Surin Islands - Unique species and diverse hard and soft coral

5. Similan Islands - Great for spotting manta rays and whale sharks

6. Phuket - Variety of options for different tastes

7. Pattaya - Excellent wreck dives

8. Koh Samui - Calm waters, good visibility, and good to see whale sharks

Can't wait to start planning your trip to Thailand? Get in touch with us to help you plan your trip!


LOOKING FOR A Liveaboard IN THAILAND

The Phinisi master liveabord exterior

Master Liveaboards' The Phinisi is a 34-meter, custom-built diving liveaboard yacht designed in the traditional Indonesian gaff-rigged Phinisi style, complete with 7 sails. It offers liveaboard dive adventures in the stunning waters of Thailand and Myanmar, comfortably accommodating 18 divers. Guests can relax on the spacious dive deck or enjoy meals in the shaded outdoor dining area while taking in breathtaking views. With delicious Thai dishes prepared from fresh, local ingredients and a dedicated crew attending to every need, your diving holiday promises to be both enjoyable and unforgettable.


 

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1. Koh Tao

Head to the Gulf of Thailand to visit the small island of Koh Tao - the perfect place to try scuba diving for the first time, get your dive certification, or hone your skills underwater. While neighboring Koh Phangan is infamous for its full moon parties and Koh Samui has long been a favorite of backpackers and luxury travelers, Koh Tao is the hotspot for scuba diving in the region.

mantis shrimp A spotted moray eel peeks from a crevice in Thailand.

Great reputation for dive schools

People flock to Koh Tao to begin their underwater journeys and get scuba certified, earning the island a reputation for its great dive schools. With easy conditions, beautiful dive sites, and inexpensive dive courses, it's hard to find a better place to learn to scuba dive or continue your dive education. Diving in Koh Tao is done by boat to various dive sites surrounding the island. Expect good visibility and encounters with colorful reef fish, turtles, barracuda, and macro critters such as nudibranchs, shrimps, and crabs. Lucky divers may even meet a whale shark!

You may also want to check out our list of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginner Scuba Divers.


 2. Koh Phi Phi

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Visit Thailand's west coast white-sand paradise, the Koh Phi Phi Islands, to experience land-based diving in the Andaman Sea. Shortly after the movie "The Beach" was released in 2000, Koh Phi Phi Don soared in popularity among backpackers and gained a reputation as a party island. However, the island boasts a variety of accommodation options from budget to luxury and attracts all types of tourists seeking picture-perfect white-sand beaches and clear blue waters. Phi Phi is mostly dived from land-based operations, however, some liveaboards offer short itineraries around the islands.

A tigertail seahorse seen while scuba diving in Thailand. A barracuda hovers near a reef in Thailand.

Many dive sites for spotting leopard sharks

Expect to encounter leopard sharks as you explore the dive sites surrounding the Phi Phi Islands, and if you're lucky, you could also see whale sharks and manta rays. Turtles, barracuda, reef sharks, and moray eels are common sightings. Look for macro life on the reefs, where seahorses camouflage and peacock mantis shrimp dart in and out of crevices. Travel by boat to various Phi Phi dive sites boasting beautiful corals and fascinating rock formations. Conditions are suitable for divers of all experience levels, so it's a great place to get your scuba certification or explore deeper dive sites if you're more experienced.


3. Koh Lipe

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Travel further south on Thailand's west coast to the small, idyllic island of Koh Lipe to escape the crowds and explore less frequented dive sites. Stay at a budget hostel, a luxury pool villa, or any of a range of accommodation options. Embrace the barefoot lifestyle on picturesque white sand beaches straight from a postcard and dive into the protected dive sites surrounding the island.

A scuba diver explores a reef with vibrant soft corals in Thailand. Anemones adorn a reef in Thailand.

Most beautiful soft corals

With fewer visitors than Koh Phi Phi and Phuket, the coral reefs around Koh Lipe are better preserved, which makes it a fantastic diving destination. Dive sites around Koh Lipe boast some of Asia's most beautiful soft corals. Koh Lipe is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park, home to many dive sites suitable for divers of all experience levels. Expect to see various tropical fish species, turtles, and dolphins. If you're really lucky, you could even see dugongs and sperm whales! Besides amazing marine life, it also has nice pinnacles and rock formations. Boat diving from land-based operators is the norm in Koh Lipe, and dive sites are reachable within 20-60 minutes. Some liveaboards offer itineraries that include Koh Lipe.

For another great whale destination, check out diving in the Dominican Republic.


4. Surin Islands

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Embark on a liveaboard to the Surin Islands, a remote region in the Andaman Sea that is protected by the UNESCO Environmental Program. Choose from a range of liveaboards from low-budget to ultra-luxurious, with most itineraries between four and seven nights. 

A moray eel darts past a starfish on a reef in Thailand. An octopus camouflages with the reef in Thailand.

Unique species and diverse hard and soft coral

The Surin Islands' dive sites boast amazing hard coral diversity and bountiful soft coral and are rich in marine life. The remote islands are not as popular among tourists, so you can find some fish species here that you cannot see in other dive destinations in Thailand. You might spot bumphead parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse, tomato anemonefish, yellow-masked angelfish, and barramundi. The Surin Islands can be explored by dive liveaboards that mostly run from October to early May. The Mu Ko Surin Marine National Park is closed to divers for the rest of the year. 

New to liveaboards? Let's help you get started with our Guide to Liveaboard Diving.


5. Similan Islands

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Dive into Thailand's most renowned dive sites around the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea. Visit the famed Richelieu Rock, a dive site on our list of Top 20 Dive Sites in the World. Join a liveaboard out of Phuket to explore the region on a four to seven-night itinerary. 

Scuba diving in Thailand with a school of barracuda. A barrel sponge at a dive site in Thailand.

Great for spotting manta rays and whale sharks

A dive liveaboard is the best way to get the most out of Similan Islands diving. Abundant marine life, big pelagics, soft and hard coral, easy diving conditions, warm waters, and relatively good visibility are reasons many scuba divers are fond of this destination. There are also plenty of macro subjects, but most divers visit the islands to look for manta rays and whale sharks. Moreover, you can see a number of shark species when scuba diving in the Similan Islands.

Interested in diving in the Similan Islands? You can read more about the destination from our Similan Islands Dive Travel Guide or Similan Islands Liveaboards page.  


6. Phuket

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Diving in Phuket gives scuba divers many options. You can find some secluded luxurious dive resorts or budget-friendly accommodations, make some day trips to the local reefs, or hop on a liveaboard and let local Thai divers show you some of the best dive sites in Thailand.

A vibrant orange sea fan adorns a reef near Phuket, Thailand. The best diving in Thailand features beautiful coral reefs.

Variety of options for different tastes

Phuket has great sites for experienced divers and options for total beginners to start their diving journey. When diving in Phuket, you can find some great deep drop-offs, pinnacles covered with coral, some caverns and caves, and even some wrecks. The marine life around Phuket ranges from big animals to small creatures. You can meet manta rays, whale sharks, and leopard sharks, but also anemone fish, harlequin shrimp, and ghost ornate pipefish to name a few. 


7. Pattaya

Pattaya is popular with Bangkok residents due to its seaside location, a mere two-hour drive from Thailand's biggest city. Don't mistake Pattaya for a quiet seaside town; it's a large city with pros and cons. The biggest 'pro' is that there is scuba diving in the area, and if you can't make it to the more popular dive regions or just want to sneak in a couple of days of diving on a short trip to Thailand, Pattaya is a convenient option.

A close up of a sea urchin at a Thailand dive site. A lionfish in Thailand.

Excellent wreck dives

Scuba diving in Pattaya is known for its excellent wreck dives and nice coral dive sites. One of the most famous coral dive sites is at Koh Man Wichai, where the coral resembles a giant hand and thus has been named as the "fingers". While diving around the beautiful corals, you can spot pufferfish, stingrays, angelfish, and many more. The Pattaya wrecks are also covered with reefs, where you can spot rays, barracudas, batfish, and even sharks. The wrecks are most suitable for advanced divers, as they lay around 100ft (30m) or more. 


8. Koh Samui

Like nearby Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, Koh Samui is a popular holiday destination and more crowded than some other locations in Thailand. You'll find a huge range of accommodation options, from hostels to the Ritz-Carlton, food options from street markets to fine dining, and plenty of activities. Scuba diving is done by boats making day trips to the beautiful dive sites around Koh Samui and Koh Tao.

Moorish idols on a reef in Thailand. Barracuda at a dive site in Thailand.

Calm waters, good visibility, and good to see whale sharks

Some of the best dive sites in Thailand, like Sail Rock, are very close to Koh Samui. A highlight of diving around Koh Samui is the chance to spot whale sharks. You can also see many barracudas, turtles, jackfish, and various nudibranchs and shrimp for macro lovers. Additionally, the diving conditions in the Gulf of Thailand are great throughout the year, with calm waters and generally good visibility. 


Hin Daeng & Hin Muang

Many scuba divers will say these are their favorite dive sites. They offer great wall dives and caverns, as well as big pelagics and lots of other beautiful marine life. You may even spot manta rays and whale sharks here. Colorful soft corals are all around, and you can see many schools of fish. Be aware that the currents can be strong; thus, it is recommended for more advanced divers. Both of the dive sites are located outside of the Similan Islands. 

Shark Point

If you love sharks, then this is the spot for you! Located about a 90-minute boat ride away from Phuket, the dive site is home to many leopard and bamboo sharks. Besides great shark diving, there are lots of other marine life to see, like moray eels, seahorses, snake eels, mantis shrimp, and more. Plus, the dive site has three main pinnacles covered with soft and hard coral and anemones

Anemone Reef

As the name says, you can expect to dive past beautiful blue and green colored anemones. As part of a marine sanctuary, Anemone Reefs' marine life is very colorful.  The site itself lies near Shark Point, which is why you can encounter reef sharks and leopard sharks at the dive site. Besides the sharks, you can spot some turtles, giant moray eels, lionfish, and even some seahorses, nudibranchs, and porcelain crabs for macro lovers. Along the anemones, you can see some beautiful soft pink and purple corals. 

Check out our guide to diving Alor's Anemone Valley.

Richelieu Rock

The dive site is located between Surin & Similan Islands and is the best place to see schools of barracudas, many tropical fish, whale sharks, and manta rays. Because of nutrient full planktons, there is a high chance to scuba dive with whale sharks. The dive site is a horseshoe-shaped rock covered with soft corals, anemones, sea fans, and sponges. The dive spot attracts lots of marine life, and you may see cuttlefish, seahorses, and pipefish, just to name a few. 

Chumphon Pinnacle

One of the most popular dive sites in Koh Tao, this huge pinnacle is covered with pink anemones, where pink anemonefish come around, as well as some scorpionfish, moray eels, crabs, and shrimp. Besides them, along the pinnacle, you can see some barracuda, bannerfish, mackerels, trevally, big-eyed jacks, and many more. Even whale sharks can make an appearance there. 

Sail Rock 

Another popular dive site in Koh Tao with a rock wall drop. Being further from the main island and away from the masses, it attracts abundant marine life. Batfish, soldierfish, crabs, giant groupers, giant moray eels, blue spotted trout, and nudibranchs are just a few examples of marine life you might see. What is special about this dive site is that you can actually dive inside a rock! There is an interesting swim-through called the chimney, which is very fun to dive, but it is more suitable for experienced divers, who have good buoyancy control. 

HTMS Sattakut wreck

Laying at a depth of 100ft (30m), this wreck is surrounded by colorful marine life and is considered one of Thailand's best wrecks. It has three canons, cabins, and rooms to explore and to see its many resident fish. You can spot groupers, snappers, sweetlips, barracudas, blennies, moray eels, butterflyfish, and more. 

 
best diving in thailand
 
 

DIVING INFORMATION 

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INTRO TO THAILAND

The Southeast Asian country with a tropical climate and warm waters is known best for its beautiful white-sand beaches, stunning temples, rich culture, and delicious food. It is not hard to guess why many people are attracted to visit Thailand. Most of the best scuba diving sites are in the southeast of Thailand, in the Andaman Sea. On the east coast, on the Gulf of Thailand, lies Koh Tao, one of the most popular destinations for dive certifications.

Small wooden boats in a bay with limestone karsts in the background at Railay Beach in Thailand.

All around Thailand, you can find diverse marine life and beautiful corals. The destination offers many opportunities for scuba divers to dive at beautiful reefs, explore wrecks, deep drop-offs, caverns, pinnacles, walls, and tunnels. Besides scuba diving, Thailand offers plenty of topside activities. Some of the islands offer great nightlife, while some others are quieter and great for relaxing. 

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THAILAND MARINE LIFE

In general, the Andaman Sea boasts a larger variety of fish species and coral. As to what you can expect to see - the coastline and islands stretch over a large distance so it greatly depends on where you choose to dive. Manta rays, whale sharks, black/white tips, and turtles are just a few of the "big things" to expect. Not only a great destination to see big fish, but Thailand also has many macro photography subjects.   

Here is a list of the marine animals you are likely to see when diving Thailand's best dive spots

  • Whale Shark
  • Manta Ray
  • Leopard Shark
  • Whitetip Shark
  • Blacktip Shark
  • Spotted Eagle Ray
  • Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray
  • Pufferfish
  • Trevally
  • Trumpetfish
  • Butterflyfish
  • Triggerfish
  • Lionfish
  • Moray Eel
  • Angelfish
  • Boxfish
  • Turtles
  • Barracudas
  • Ghost Pipefish
  • Seahorses
 

Diving Conditions

  • Water Temperatures: 81-84 F / 27- 86 C
  • Visibility: 32 - 131 ft (10 - 40m), depending on the season and location.
  • Depth Range: 16 - 131 ft (5 - 40 m)
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Travel Information 

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How to Get There

Thailand currently has six international airports, with Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok being the main gateway to the country. It is easy to get anywhere from Bangkok.  

Looking for another hot dive destination in Southeast Asia? Read about scuba diving in Indonesia

How to Dive Thailand

Liveaboards are available to explore the Andaman Sea and Similan Islands and reach dive sites you otherwise can't reach. Thus, liveaboard diving would be the best option for getting the most out of diving in Thailand. Otherwise, there are also dive resorts available around Thailand. The best resort destinations are Phuket, Phi Phi Islands, and Khao Lak. 

A person enjoys the best scuba diving in Thailand.

Best Time to Dive

Within the Gulf of Thailand, diving is available almost year-round. November is the beginning of the monsoon season in which visibility drops and heavy rainstorms can occur but by the mid/end of December things typically have gone back to normal. On the Andaman side, dive times are more limited. Some areas are only available to dive parts of the year (like the Similians and Koh Lanta). In general October - April is the best time to dive the Andaman Sea.

Topside & Non-Diving Activities

You can try to "island-hop" to different destinations by comparing their offerings. Every island has its own personality, so certain islands would fit best depending on what you are looking for. Looking for a night out in the town? Koh Phi Phi on the Andaman side or Koh Tao in the gulf would be a good start. Prefer a relaxing evening instead? The Andamans, Koh Lanta, or Koh Samui in the Gulf could be better alternatives.

A Buddha in a tree in Thailand. A silhouette of Buddha in Thailand.

Thailand is known for its beautiful beaches and some impressive temples. Don't forget to visit the famous Grand Palace or Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Some of the other things to do are to see the Muay Thai boxing match, visit a floating market, go hiking, or discover their beautiful nature. Moreover, get all your tension out with a proper Thai massage. In case you have never tried a Thai massage, then just a heads up, don't expect it to be relaxing, but for sure, it will make you feel much better afterward! 

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LIVEABOARD AVAILABILITY & Booking

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Please contact us for the latest availability of the following boats: Diva Andaman, Similan Explorer, MV Hallelujah, Dolphin Queen, Deep Andaman Queen, MV Giamani, DiveRACEMV Oktavia, and MV Pawara.

 

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Other Useful Information 

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Practical Information

  • Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
  • Language: Thai is the national and official language of Thailand
  • Main Airport Code: BKK
  • Time Zone: UTC+7
  • Electricity: The standard voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.
  • Vaccines: Please check the CDC website for updated information on vaccines, health concerns, etc. It is recommended that you are up to date with Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Hepatitis and Polio for any trip to the tropics.
  • Visa: U.S. citizens carrying a tourist passport and in possession of an onward or return airline ticket do not require a visa to enter Thailand.

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GOT QUESTIONS? READY TO BOOK?

Call us today at 310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com

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FURTHER READING

Check out these useful resources from our sister websites, Bluewater Photo, and Underwater Photography Guide

Southeast Asia's Best Underwater Photography Destinations

Top 10 Macro Photography Destinations

Wet Wide Angle Lens Buyer's Guide

Wet Macro Lens Buyer's Guide

Best Underwater Cameras 

Best Underwater Photography Equipment 

Reviews (7)

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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.

Visited on 10/2012 - Submitted on 02/07/2014
  • Top Reviewer
Brisbane, QLD
Australia
5
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Similan Islands, Thailand.

The Similan Island National Park ( Named for ‘Sembilan’, meaning nine in a local dialect of Malay) is made up of 9 islands arranged roughly 80kms North of the heaving holiday mecca of Phuket on the Eastern seaboard of the Isthmus of Thailand. The Islands of the main group are generally referred to as numbers 1-9 – though also have Thai names – with numbers 1,2 & 3 in the South closed for diving to allow for turtle hatching. Diving in the group is characterised by two distinct environments:

The East coast with slopes down to 30 metres, plenty of hard coral and gentle-to-no currents. Large bommies covered in soft coral and schools of small fish dot the sandy sea floor with some such as ‘Hin Muan Daew (Roll of film) on Anita’s Reef attracting celebrity status for exhausting diver’s entire roll of exposures back in the days of shooting film. It really was that good, too.

The West coast is exposed to the Indian Ocean and features dramatic piles of enormous granite boulders covered in healthy soft corals and giant fans tumbling down to the sea bed at 30-45 metres. These exposed sites experience regular currents and offer a more adventurous dive. The currents feed the oversized corals and bring in larger and more numerous schools of fish. In addition to huge schools of smaller fish expect pelagics from Tuna to Sharks.

Visibility is superb on both sides of the islands with up to 30-45 metre on my trip, and though you will be regularly gazing out into the blue do not forget to look closer at the reef: the macro life here is fantastic with Frogfish, Harlequin Shrimp & a stunning array of Nudibranchs to found amongst a host of other critters, particularly on the Eastern sites.

No review of the Similans would be fair without mentioning the topside experience, which is what really sets off the whole trip. The weather in the diving season is generally warm, calm & sunny. My entire trip was bathed in sun with just the right amount of breeze for cooling down in the afternoon. And the beaches. It’d be fair to say these are some of the finest beaches I’ve seen in my time; go and sit at your computer and enter ‘Similans beaches’ into a search engine. Yep. Stunning.

Longer trips to the area will usually focus on the islands of the Similans and then move North to 2 Islands, Koh Bon & Koh Tachai and then the area’s masterpiece, Richelieu Rock. The former are highly regarded for more dramatic boulder diving and the chance of Oceanic Manta Rays. Richelieu Rock, closer to the mainland, is a photographer’s lens choice nightmare. Though the proximity to land and current up-wellings reduces the visibility somewhat this horse-shoe shaped reef, draped in soft corals and packed with great macro subjects, is famous for its Whale Shark encounters.

The area is best explored by one of the numerous liveaboards operating out of Khao Lak, though can also be visited as a day trip on enormous, over-powered speedboats from the mainland. I have read reports of accidents with these boats due to overconfidence in rough weather and heard first hand reports of long and uncomfortable journeys, though I imagine it would be great fun in fine weather.

In season there is a glut of operators offering liveaboards from cheap & cheerful through to all expenses paid luxury, anywhere from overnight trips up to a whole week. I was on a 5 night, 4 day cruise and would definitely pick this length of trip again. Any shorter would rob you of time in either the Similans or the Islands further North, while I feel any longer would have resulted in spending too long for the variety on offer.

Finally, though probably not superior to some of the trips I have taken further south in the ‘Coral Triangle’, you cannot look past Thailand for relaxing and enjoyable topside experience. I travelled from Koh Tao, on the East Coast of Thailand, and thoroughly enjoyed every second of the journey; particularly as the last 60-100kms travel through the stunning hills of the Khao Sok National Park.

Visited on 12/2011 - Submitted on 02/20/2014
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4

My review is for diving in Kohn Phi Phi.

The island is full of dive operations. Great choice prices are the same so pick one you like.
Unfortunately I was there during rainy season and boat rides were rough but once under water it is one of the prettiest places to dive. Visibility was not as good as during the winter time, so I was told but otherwise a really good experience.

The nice thing about Phi Phi is that once you are done diving seafood and beers are waiting on every corner

Visited on 07/2013 - Submitted on 10/23/2014
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5

Koh Tao, Thailand

I lived and worked on Koh Tao as a Dive Master for a year. Getting your open water certification is on the list of things to do for most young people back packing through Thailand. More open water certs are completed on Koh Tao than any other location in the world. Koh Tao is a small vibrant island in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Tao has good diving, great night life, and plenty of topside activities to do.

The Diving: There are good things and bad things about diving on Koh Tao. First we will start off with some of the negative aspects of diving Koh Tao. Koh Tao dive sites can be very crowded. Some of the larger resort boats hold close to 50 divers. Dive sites like White Rock, Twins, Japanese Gardens can have a dozen boats onsite all at once. Sometimes dive sites look like parking lots. Also due to the fact that most people are on Koh Tao to learn to dive, there is a huge number of beginner divers everywhere. Now for the good things. Due to the fact there is a huge number of dive ops, all of which are very different, it's easy to find one that offers what you are looking for. There are small shops with small boats, big shops with big boats, etc. Also the diving is cheap, really cheap. Due to all the competition on the island, courses and diving prices are extremely low and affordable. There is also a variety of dive sites for both beginners and more experienced divers. Notable sites are Laem Thian with great swim throughs, and geographical features, frequented by black tips. Chumpon Pinnacle was my favorite site, which is frequented by bull sharks, whale sharks, huge schools of fish, tornadoes of barracuda, and giant groupers. White rock, which can be crowded at certain times, is a nice reef with lots of life, no shortage of morays and blue spotted sting rays. Sail Rock is also easily accessible from Koh Tao, and Sail Rock is without a doubt the best site in the Gulf of Thailand. Sail Rock is frequented by whale sharks, bull sharks, huge schools of fish, big schools of barracuda and Trevally, as well as a few resident giant morays. Turtles can be seen on the island but are surprisingly scarce, and also you WILL NOT see a manta ray in the gulf of Thailand. There are also a couple of wrecks on the island that were sunk to make artificial reefs. The diving on Koh Tao is good, but it is not world class, and is even not as good as the diving on the West Coast of Thailand. But it is a great island that is lots of fun and definitely worth visiting.

Topside: Koh Tao has a large variety of restaurants and resorts. Everything from 5 start luxury resorts, to dirt cheap hostels. Koh Tao also has a great night life and huge party scene. Lots of bars, and drinks are very cheap. Choppers is an Aussie owned sports bar on the island that opens early and they show NFL games, Soccer, Baseball, Cricket, everything, so you can still watch your favorite sports games while on the island. Rock Climbing is another popular topside activity on the island, companies like Good Times Adventures offers a variety of activities other than diving. Koh Tao is also a great place to learn free diving. There are a few free diving schools on the island with great instructors.

Getting to the island is also relatively easy. From Bangkok you can book transport down from a few different companies, such as SongSerm, and Lompraya. Buses run from Bangkok to Chumpon, where you board a ferry that takes you to either Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, or Koh Samui. You can also fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui, and then jump on a ferry or speed boat over to Koh Tao.

Visited on 10/2010 - Submitted on 06/06/2015
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Hin Daeng and Hin Muang

Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are widely considered the best dive sites in Thailand outside of the Similans. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are two dive sites on the west coast of Thailand that can be accessed by either live aboard or by day trips out of Ko Phi Phi or Ko Lanta. These two sites are best known for their frequency in Manta Ray and Whale shark sightings. Both scuba dive sites are remote deep water pinnacles. Hin Deang just barely breaks the surface, where as Hin Muang is a submerged pinnacle with its base on one side leveling out around 60 meters, and the other side is a vertical wall that plunges into a deep abyss. Both sites are more advanced sites, and Hin Muang often has relatively strong currents. Both sites are right next to each and always dived together in one trip. At both dive sites you will see huge schools of fish, pelagics, lion fish, nudibranchs, Manta Rays, whale sharks, and reef sharks. Both sites are within the boundaries of a marine park and attract a massive amount of life. The ride out to the dive diving spots can be rough, and if you are doing a day trip out of Ko Lanta/ Ko Phi Phi it will take about 2 1/2 hours to make it out to the site. Diving these two sites in Thailand on a day trip will take up an entire day. Due to the remoteness of these two sites, crowds are not something you have to worry about when scuba diving here. Anyone diving on the West coast of Thailand should not miss these two sites.

Visited on 02/2012 - Submitted on 06/06/2015

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