Diving in Thailand gives scuba divers the chance to experience the lush underwater life of the Andaman Sea with relative ease and comfort.
Liveaboard diving in Thailand offers enough to tempt any serious diver, with healthy reefs, schools of fish, barracuda, whale sharks, and manta rays. But the country's food, people, and landscapes put the icing on the cake. It's no wonder that Thailand is a world favourite for divers and Southeast Asia-lovers alike, who return year after year for affordable liveaboard dive trips to incredible underwater destinations. Thailand is filled with some of the world's best dive sites, the most popular areas being Koh Tao and Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Phuket in the Andaman Sea.
The marine life in Thailand, given its location on the edge of the Coral Triangle, is extremely varied and the corals are very healthy. The Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock and its whale sharks, Mergui Archipelago and its undisturbed Burmese waters, and the southern pinnacles off Phuket promise dramatic underwater topography and a wealth of marine life. The relative closeness of these destinations to the Thai mainland makes Thailand the perfect country for a short or long liveaboard dive safari to the Similans or southern destinations like Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe, and Koh Lanta National Marine Park.
Liveaboard diving in the Similan Islands is the peak of Thailand dive experiences. Its huge granite boulders with caverns and arches offer shark diving, schools of fish, huge sea fans, and general world-class quality of habitats and species. Elephant Head Rock, West of Six, and Christmas Point are only a few of the 20 plus dive sites. Similan scuba diving varies in difficulty, but currents in certain areas makes them better-suited for experienced divers. Lush greenery and white sand beaches ring the nine islands, completing the view from above water. Liveaboard boats diving at Richelieu Rock will bring you to the pelagics capital of Thailand. Around this limestone pinnacle jutting from the depths of the ocean, upwellings rich with plankton invite whale sharks, mantas and barracudas, not to mention the macro-life hiding amongst Richelieu's famous purple soft corals and sea fans. The strong currents here call for experienced divers. Koh Tachai and Koh Bon, members of the Similan Island National Park, are often visited en route to Richelieu and offer more pelagics, Napoleon Wrasse, and even night diving for macro-critters.
A Liveaboard dive tour in the Andaman Islands includes the crown jewels of Thailand diving (Similans and Richelieu), but they don't stop there. One additional highlight of these trips is the lush Surin Islands, where non-divers and divers alike are bewitched by the small cove beaches, island wildlife, and accessible snorkelling sites- not to mention the highest hard coral diversity in Thailand. Another incredible North Andaman dive area is the Mergui Archipelago of Burma, which opened to divers in the late 1990s; its undisturbed ecosystem offers the whole range from huge pelagics down to tiny macro-critters. Experienced divers will be best suited to week-long North Andaman itineraries, which visit some remote destinations with currents and open water. North Andaman liveaboards run from October through May for best visibility and surface conditions. The water temperature averages a comfortable 27-30 C. Usually, North Andaman liveaboard itineraries include the Similan Island, Richelieu Rock, the Surin Islands, and sometimes south Burma, depending on the itinerary length. Liveaboard diving in the South Andaman Sea presents a wealth of offerings just off the front door of Phuket. Leading the way are Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, underwater pinnacles covered with carpets of anemones, sponges, and sea fans, which host regular whale sharks and manta rays. Experienced divers are best suited to the currents swirling around these pinnacles. South Andaman liveaboards also visit Koh Ha and Koh Rok; these uninhabited, white-sand islands offer one of the best-preserved coral reefs in the country. Entry-level divers can find their niche in the South Andaman, where dive certification courses are offered on Phuket and Koh Phi Phi. The length of liveaboard itineraries in the South Andaman Sea ranges from two to six nights, giving entry-level divers a chance to experience a liveaboard along with more seasoned enthusiasts. The budget ranges from about 150 to over 400 euros per night, and the boats are M/V or S/V diving yachts. Trips usually run from April through October, departing from Chalong pier in Phuket or Pak Bara pier near the town of Hat Yai.
Thailand offers a variety of dive sites from fringing reefs, deep drop-offs, wrecks, walls, caverns, tunnels, pinnacles and open ocean adventures.
Submerge at Koh Phi Phi's coral gardens and limestone slopes, hosting everything from seahorses to sharks.
Wreck dive in Khao Lak on your way out to the North Andaman Sea.
Dive the untouched Mergui Archipelago in Burma, newly open to diving and rich with life.
Koh Tachai hosts pelagics just like Richelieu- dive here for mantas, whale sharks, tuna, and fun underwater topography.
Koh Bon is a premier manta site, but it also adds reef sharks and macro to the mix.
Lose yourself in the profusion of marine life on and around Hin Daeng and Hin Muang's vertical cliffs.
Maximize your dives per day by living onboard and have dive sites on your doorstep daily.
North Andaman liveaboard trips usually depart from Khao Lak or Phuket. Getting to Phuket is easy with a 1 hour flight from Bangkok or direct international flights from Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian destinations. Phuket is also reachable by train, bus, and car within Thailand. Hat Yai can be reached by domestic or select international flights (from Kuala Lumpur). Trains and buses run to Hat Yai from within Thailand, and even from Malaysia. Khao Lak can also be reached from Bangkok by overnight buses headed toward Phuket, but make sure they're taking a route that allows you to disembark in Khao Lak.
Getting to Khao Lak is easy by car or bus from Phuket, about 70 kilometres to the south. The travel time is roughly one hour. Khao Lak has no airport. For entry-level divers, Khao Lak's proximity to the Similan Islands makes it a great place to combine a PADI Open Water course with amazing day trips to Thailand's premier Andaman dive destination.
The best time to dive in Thailand is year-round. However, the peak Thailand diving season for the Gulf of Thailand is from May through September and from October through April for the Andaman Sea. The water temperature in Thailand ranges from 28 degrees Celsius (82 Fahrenheit) to 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit). Visibility in Thailand's waters is optimum throughout the area with an average of 30 meters (100 feet). Diving depths will typically vary depending on the dive site, but usually, do not exceed 36 meters (120 feet). Currents are usually mild and the overall air temperature is hot with high humidity.
Thailand is a great country for diving, for beginners to more experienced, everyone can enjoy it.
The diving is second to none! Will be doing this very soon! To bad it takes 24 hours to get there from the USA! Well worth the time!
It was a tremendous experience, it could meet those two big. Manta and whale sharks. Besides, Similan was really beautiful.
good but as it is sort of an easier dive location, some guests with less experience and awareness are common.
For this first nice experience, and also can enjoy the holidays in Thailand with family or friends, I would certainly go again for diving Liveaboard in other nice areas around the world!
One of the best places in the world to dive for value for your money.
Okay. I wouldn't make Thailand a dive destination but if you're in the country already it is definitely worth it.
I thinks it is good for beginners diving in Thailand.
Thailand is awesome. Look forward to going back!
Positive. I have dived Similan Island 6 times.
Very average, other than Richelieu rock and given that you don’t get to witness manta rays or whale sharks (pretty rare even in the season) then the reefs are not as good as the Red Sea, barrier reef or tubbataha in the Philippines.
In order to provide details of each site I would have to look over notes and photos, and don't have time right now. Overall - beautiful soft and hard coral reefs and impressive granite peaks with some swim throughs and caverns. Large schools of fish in the blue and many tropical fish on the reefs. I saw mantas, jacks, porcupine fish, ...... . Lots of macro life. Octopus - really exciting. Sea horse. Sea whip garden at night. Great color and variety. Really nice diving. Nice that Gentle Giant did night dive and sunset dives.
Overall, I was impressed with the diving in the majority of the locations.
Awesome. Will remember this for the rest of my life.
Thailand remains a bit crowded for diving, and liveaboard boats in Thailand don’t offer the extreme luxury of those in the Maldives. However, the range of marine life to see - from sharks and big things through to macro life - is outstanding. The food is exceptional and Thai crews are friendly, polite and super helpful. I would highly recommend diving Thailand.
Will do it again! Loved it!
Diving in Thailand is still great despite that a lot of coral disappeared due to the Tsunami and coral bleaching. The huge amount of fish compensates a lot and makes diving still a great experience.
Very good. It was less polluted than expected but it was also a protected area.
For good divers Andaman see is far better than gulf of Thailand.
친절한 스탭들과 맛있는 요리가 다이빙 여행을 더 즐겁게 해줬어요. 수온도 적당했고요. 특히 Phinisi 배가 참 이쁩니다.
Great! Will be back in Feb/Mar to try to catch mantas and whale sharks next year.
Fantastic cant wait to come back!
It's wonderful. I will visit again.
Overall great, we will do it again for sure.
Excellent diving all-round. Beautiful above, and below, the water!
I will definitely comeback! Loved it.
A Great experience, very relaxing even with some of the currents but nothing too difficult.
The diving was gorgeous. Many fish.
Great experience! Thailand is wonderful!
It's great. We'll come back for another trip definitely.
Most enjoyable. So glad I did the live aboard.
Excellent, everyone is so very nice and all the locations are beautiful. Quite a diversity of things to see!
sure i am going back . they says its one of the best dive site in world bout i say is the best int world. don't lose the chance to witness it yourself.
It was a bit dissapointing as there was not many fish and most of the corals were bleached out. but that's maybe because of the water temperature or the tsunami couple of years ago.
The thing to remember is that this boat is a "budget boat" with shared bunk rooms and shared toilet / showers. Its not luxury but it was very clean and comfortable. The boat crew made the trip enjoyable and overall, the food was great and for the price i think this is a very good option. If you are looking for luxury, please look elsewhere. There are now a lot of boats doing the Similan Island route and added to this, more day "speed boats" are heading out from Ko Lak. If im honest, too busy and its having an impact on the larger marine life such as sharks and manta rays that are now very rare.
Diving in Thailand was a fantastic experience. It was easy to navigate and exceptionally beautiful. The recent push towards eco-tourism has resulted in so many beautiful dives, the explosion of fish and wildlife and the return of a healthy reef ecosystem. We will be returning within the year to dive Thailand again.
Great, didn't expect it to be this good!
Very good. Diving is best enjoyed on a liveaboard.
Many fish, sharks, cuttlefish, lobsters, shrimp disappeared. Too much of fisherman circulating in the andama sea. After 5 yeas, I guess nobody dive in Thailand.
Well organised and safely conducted.
Very few sharks and turtles but otherwise nice diving with beautiful reefs and lots of fish.
Thailand is a good startingpoint to diving but it cannot compare to Indonesia or Malaysia.
Had a great experience as a first timer in Thailand and on a liveaboard. Would recommend as a solo female traveller.
Good place to go snorkeling.
Excellent and the best at Richelieu rock. Great in Koh Tachai and Bomsung wreck. Good in Koh Bon. Average-good around Phi Phi (dead corals, less aquatic life).