Thailand
Andaman Sea
The west coast of Thailand offers the best diving: from liveaboards visiting the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock, to resorts and day trips from Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Krabi exploring the local sites, to the more isolated beaches of Koh Lipeh exploring the southern waters of Turatao National Park. The Andaman Sea is crammed with colourful coral and tropical marine life, has some stunning tropical islands and offers the chance to swim with big pelagics as leopard sharks, mantas and whale sharks. The Land of Smiles really has something for everyone and a holiday to suit every budget.
| Sea | Andaman Sea |
| Number of Dive Site | > 250 |
| Experience Level | Beginner – Advanced |
| Depth | 5 – 40 m |
| Visibility | 5 – 40 m |
| Currents | Can be strong |
| Surface Conditions | Can be rough |
| Water Temperature | 26 – 30 |
| Good For | Large and small animals, reef life, photography |
| Number of Days | 5 – 15 days |
| Available | Resorts, day trips and liveaboards |
| Best Time to Go | Year Round |
Gulf of Thailand
Most of the diving on the East Coast is around Koh Tao, a small and enchanting island with fast access to some easy to dive sites at low cost, and is seasonally visited by the majestic whaleshark. Its bigger and older brother Koh Samui has many operators that offer day trips to Koh Tao’s dive sites. Another favorite destination in the north of the gulf is Pattaya, located on mainland Thailand, due to its proximity to Bangkok and the numerous wrecks that can be explored.
| Sea | Gulf of Thailand |
| Number of Dive Site | 35 |
| Experience Level | Beginner – Advanced |
| Depth | 5 – 40 m |
| Visibility | 5 – 30 m |
| Currents | Can be strong |
| Surface Conditions | Can be rough |
| Water Temperature | 26 – 30 |
| Good For | Large animals, reef life, wrecks, value for money |
| Number of Days | 5 – 10 days |
| Available | Resorts and day trips |
| Best Time to Go | Year Round |