All about diving in Thailand

Diving in Thailand

Diving in the coastal waters of Thailand continues to be a rapidly developing area of outdoor activities. The popularity of Thai diving is due to the warm and clear waters of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, the predictability of surface currents. Mostly scuba divers encounter only tidal fluctuations in the water level. The rich flora and fauna of the underwater world is breathtaking even for experienced divers. Diving to the remains of sunken ships and exploring underwater caves are particularly attractive, but this is already the lot of professionals.

The security of this fashionable service in Thailand is strictly regulated at the state level. Licenses for scuba diving on a commercial basis in the country are issued by the Guild of Diving Instructors (PADI), the Thai Association of Scuba Diving Instructors (NAUI), the Scuba Diving School (SSI) and the International Federation (TDI). The availability of permits from these companies testifies to the legality of the service provided, the qualification of the instructor and the proper certification of the proposed equipment.

Under the patronage of these organizations, an extensive network of schools for express training in the wisdom of exotic holidays has been created. They are represented in all popular resorts in Thailand: Phuket and Koh Lanta, Koh Tao and Krabi, Koh Chang and Koh Samui, and many others. Perhaps it would even be correct to say that it is difficult to find a resort here where diving would not be offered at least in the form of entertainment for tourists.

Applying for diving as part of excursion groups, as a rule, will lead a beginner to instruction lessons under the auspices of PADI, the most famous association in this regard. Training courses from BSAC (British Scuba Diving Club) are also presented everywhere. The most popular program is still the beginner driver course. Tourists with diving experience are not deprived of the opportunity to resort to the services of private instructors, which allows them to get more freedom in the depths of the sea.

Prices for diving in Thailand

There is no single price list for diving services by Thai dive centers. The cost, first of all, depends on the comfort of the vessel on which it is proposed to make daily diving (day freight with visits to several dive sites). For example, a tourist staying in a Phuket hotel, a sea cruise from morning to evening with three anchoring for diving will cost about 100-120 US dollars. A beginner will traditionally pay 50% more than a certified diver. Also, the price is higher the more remote the dive site is.

The lowest prices for diving are offered in Pattaya. The further to the south of the country, the more expensive. The highest prices on the islands, but the conditions there are the best. If you compare prices with other countries, diving in Thailand is cheaper than in America or Europe, but more expensive than in Turkey or Egypt.

Here are the minimum prices for diving in Thailand for a guide:

• Two dives with an instructor for a beginner - from 2700 baht (see currency of Thailand, exchange rate)
• A course with a certificate - from 12,000 baht

Diving sites in Thailand

As we mentioned above, it is difficult to find a resort in Thailand where diving would not be offered. However, for sophisticated divers it is better to go to resorts specializing in diving. These are, first of all, the islands of Tao, Phangan, Koh Samui, Lipe, etc. A little more about the places for diving in Thailand:

The resorts of Thailand associated with the diving industry are geographically divided into two groups: the Andaman Sea (west coast) and the Gulf of Thailand (east coast).

• Gulf of Thailand

  The Gulf of Thailand is shallower and inferior to the diversity of reef formations. The maximum depth of the bay does not exceed 90 meters, and the water area has 112 islands. Among the places favored by diving fans, Koh Tao Island is singled out with its spots tied to granite formations. The Green Rock is especially attracted by its tunnels and the opportunity to examine the blue of the eaglet, to follow the movement of the population of parrot fish.

  Siamese waters in Chonburi Province gather scuba divers on Pattaya resort. The center is famous for its coral arrays, sheltering imposing turtles and starfish, but the main pride is the skeleton of a cruiser from the Second World War. The military vessel "Nardip" is piled on its right side at a depth of only 26 meters. The Chumphon Marine Reserve is maximally adapted for diving in the dark. This is facilitated by the coastline and the nocturnal lifestyle of marine life.

  They specialize in diving Tao Islands and Phangan. The transparency of the water here reaches 25 meters. In addition, on the east coast, the area of Koh Samui is distinguished with its colonies of red anenomes and a Sail Rock towering 15 meters above the sea. Dive tours to the AngThong Marine Park depart from Koh Samui

• Diving in the Andaman Sea

  Andaman dive sites are represented by resorts Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Ko Lanta, Ko Lipe. The centers on the Surin Islands and the Similan Ridge are also not far behind in attracting tourists. Extreme beckons the little-explored underwater world of the Mergui archipelago. Tourist zones in the province of Krabi regained their leading positions. They quickly recovered after the devastating tsunami of 2002 and again attract lovers of underwater walks by their proximity to the iconic spots of the Thai shelf. Places for diving that are always on the radar include Racha Yai in Phuket and Ter Bay with a graveyard of ships.

  A real pilgrimage of tourists is observed to the 85-meter passenger fleet vessel that sank on a reef shoal in 2000. The Royal Cruiser dive site is in demand by both beginners due to its shallow depth and experienced underwater adventure seekers. Koh Lipe Resort is interesting for diving near the 8-mile Cliff and to the remains of the Yung Hua ship. It also promises good tests for skilled swimmers with its currents and many caves in calcareous rocks.

  In general, the west coast has a richer fauna and is represented by real coral gardens. Here you can find huge sea bass and moray eels, barracudas and rays, octopuses and turtles, whale and leopard sharks. Motley clusters of reef fish alternate with flocks of pelagic. You can observe the silver balls of migrating shoals of sardines, herring, and if you are lucky, then the hunt of a huge tuna for its prey.