Even most biased Gulf of Thailand
enthusiast would admit that, for pure diving reasons, the best places to dive in Thailand have
found the country's west coast, within the Andaman Sea. Yes, there might be
some wonderful experiences available when diving from Koh Tao, as well as Koh
Chang, however the water depths, clarity and marine life imply that diving
within the Similan Islands, or any other Andaman Sea diving areas is normally
and consistently better.
Around the west coast of Thailand, there
are 2 main places that liveaboard diving boats sail around filled with
enthusiastic divers willing to start and find out something great. They are
west and northwest of Khao Lak, and south of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.
Directly west of Khao Lak's Tab Lamu pier is definitely the popular Similan
Islands archipelago. Eight main islands and lots of islets are the place to
find a lot more than twenty fantastic dive sites, with sloping coral reefs or
granite rock formations. Towards the northeast or even the Similan Islands, and
northwest of Tab Lamu, are Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, the 3 making
up Thailand's best diving spots for individuals who wish to dive in clear
waters and find out large pelagic fish species. The 3rd area is southeast of
Phuket and south of Koh Lanta. Here Koh Haa and Hin Daeng create a very genuine
substitute for Liveaboard diving to
Similan Islands and northern sites.
The Similan Islands are just uninhabited.
There are some park rangers who stay there to safeguard the national park. A
couple of islands within the far south from the chain are privately operated
from the Thai royal family and Island 4 features a few bungalows and tents for
tourists, but not many choose to stay there. The diving in the Similan Islands
is extreme enough even for by far the most daredevil scuba divers, which depths
and currents to accommodate every taste. However, additionally, there are
plenty of opportunities for newly-certified divers to invest one hour
underwater here. Even individuals who have never dived before can try diving in
the Similan Islands. The reefs are the place to find thousands of colourful and
exciting species, as well as the sea and climate conditions throughout the diving
season are unbeatable. The Liveaboard
cruises, or diving safaris as some give them a call, nearly always give
guests several chances to venture to the beaches and do a few hour's trekking
or relaxing.
The northern sites, that include Richelieu
Rock, can be found in the border regions of Mu Ko Similan National Marine Park
and Mu Ko Surin National Marine Park. Richelieu Rock is Thailand's best diving
site, and among the best on the planet. It's simple to do three long dives
there on the very same day, but it's not ideal for night diving or snorkelling.
Koh Tachai, a bit further south and towards Khao Lak, is definitely an
uninhabited island having a pristine beach along with a great and snorkel dive
site offering possibly the best chance in Thailand to find out Manta Rays. Koh
Bon, doesn't possess a beach, but can also be ideal for snorkelling along with
its 2 or more excellent dive sites tend to be visited by Manta Rays as well as
other large and special fish species.
Finally, the southern dive sites tend to be
overlooked by those looking to find the best diving in Thailand on the
liveaboard cruise. However, with Hin Daeng and Hin Muang
around the itinerary, that is usually a foolish presumption. Both of these sea
mounts barely touch the sea's surface but they are the place to find some
special people in the marine life community, and huge sharks and rays often pay
a visit. Koh Haa is closer to the mainland, towards the east of Hin Daeng and
additionally, there are some terrific dive sites for many degrees of scuba
diver.
Even though some liveaboard cruises visit
both Similan Islands as well as the northern sites, they are normally 4D/4N
trips. The 2 and three-day trips usually visit one or even the other, however,
not both. Because of the extreme distances, not many (if any) liveaboard
cruises are offered to visit the 3 of those great diving areas in a single
trip. However, seven-day cruises on vessels like the 'Flying Seahorse' do
incorporate the 3 every once in awhile. To find the best information on which
diving liveaboard safari is better in each circumstance, it's recommended to
cope with a web-based agent who provides a large choice of boats which sail to
every one of them, and may therefore give unbiased information and help.
