Far away from the clichéd reputation of Thailand being a place for parties and sex shops and Go-Go bars; this place is deeply rooted in Buddhism and there are several…
Dec 262019
While the beaches of Thailand hold a special place in every traveller’s radar because of their sheer beauty, its bewitching scuba diving spots are no less than nature’s work of art. Whether it will be your first time diving or you dive professionally, Thailand offers some of the world’s best diving spots. The country is home to more than 300 splendid scuba diving spots with warm waters and fantastic show of aquatic wildlife.
Here are the best spots for breathtaking underwater explorations in Thailand:
Surin Islands
Around 50 km from the mainland, the remote Surin Islands are located in the Andaman Sea. These islands boast some of the world’s most sought after diving sites, thanks to the unbelievably clear waters, colourful corals and rare wildlife. Here, you will be diving along Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Turtles, as well as rare fishes like the Tomato Clownfish, Yellow-marked Angelfish, Napoleon Wrasse, and more. This is a remote Thai destination, which means less tourist crowd and more peace.
Koh Tao
A part of Samui Archipelago, Koh Tao island lies in the Gulf of Thailand and is among the top places in the country where divers flock to, especially first timers and beginners. Several diving spots around the island are perfect to spot aquamarine wildlife like Triggerfish, Yellowtails, Barracudas, Angelfish, Turtles, Whale Sharks and more. Some of the famous diving spots around Koh Tao are Sail Rock, Shark Island, Green Rock, and Chumpon Pinnacle.
HTMS Chang, Koh Chang
How about scuba diving at a shipwreck site? The HTMS Chang offers a stunning artificial reef made out of a sunken vessel and attracts a lot of divers from around the world. Watching the aquatic wildlife dwelling in and around the shipwreck is a truly mesmerising experience. You can go as deep as 30 meters to marvel the 100 meter long vessel. Koh Chang also has several other fantastic diving sites for you to explore.
Similan Islands
Supposedly, the scuba diving spots at Simian Islands are considered to be the most pristine ones in Thailand. Located around 80 km from Phuket, the group of 11 really small islands are a part of Mu Koh Similan National Park and are preserved by the Thai Govt. Colourful soft and hard corals, a huge variety of marine life including some rare ones, and crystal clear waters characterise the 25 diving spots of Similan Islands.
Hin Daeng and Hin Muang
Known for their awe-inspiring coral reefs, Hin Daeng (for red corals) and Hin Muang (for purple corals) are neighbouring diving spots. Both lie with the Mu Koh Lanta National Park and brag a vast underwater wildlife that includes Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Turtles, and various fish species. Speedboat day trips for these diving spots are available from popular Thai destinations like Kho Phi Phi and Phuket.
