Thailand Diving – A Quick Guide

Thailand is where I’ve lived on and off since 2004. The diving here is relatively cheap and great, particularly on the west coast in the Andaman Sea. Here is a quick overview of diving in Thailand to help you decide where to visit.

Best Places To Dive in Thailand: The Similan Islands and Southern Thailand’s dive sites are my personal favourites. The links go to articles and trip reports I’ve written about each area. Pattaya is great if you are into wrecks. Koh Tao is great for learning to dive, a big backpacker party scene and also a growing tech diving industry.

Thailand’s Best Dive Sites is a useful introduction and also Whale Sharks In Thailand: Where To See Them.

Similan Islands

• 2006 trip report on diving the Similans
• 2005 Asian Diver story on diving the Similans five weeks after the tsunami

Southern Thailand

• 2005 Asian Diver story on the diving around Koh Lanta

Koh Tao

• An introduction to Koh Tao diving
• Tech Diving: The discovery of the USS Lagarto

Pattaya

• Hardeep Wreck DVD

How To Get There

• Similan Islands – Liveaboard or daily speedboat trip from Phuket or Khao Lak.
• Southern Thailand – Daytrips or Liveaboard from Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.
• Koh Tao – Daytrip from Koh Tao or Koh Samui
• Pattaya – Daytrip from Pattaya

Liveaboards I’ve Been On In Thailand: Trip Reports

• MV Flying Seahorse – Similan Islands 2010, 2011
• MV Jazz – Similan / Burma liveaboard January 2008 and 2009
• MV Flying Seahorse – Southern Thailand liveaboard December 2007
• MV Dolphin Queen – Similan liveaboards 2004, 2005, 2006
• MV Colona – Southern Thailand liveaboard October 2005

Nearest Dive Sites To Famous Places In Thailand

• Phuket – Similan Islands and Southern Thailand sites. See my guide to Phuket Diving
• Koh Phi Phi – Southern Thailand sites: Hin Daeng, Koh Bida, Phi Phi Leh – see my article on Koh Phi Phi Reborn after the 2004 tsunami
• Koh Samui and Koh Phangan– go to Koh Tao: it’s easier to dive from there

Other Places To Dive In Thailand:

• Koh Losin – hidden dive site in the southern Gulf
• Koh Lipe – tiny island near Malaysian border in Andaman Sea
• Koh Chang – booming tourist island near Cambodian border in the Gulf
• Trang – relatively unexplored area of southern Thailand’s Andaman coast

Buying Scuba Gear In Thailand

• Bangkok Dive Shops – where to go and what to expect

Useful Dive Travel Information About Thailand:
Money: Thai Baht
Electricity: 220 Volts AC
Time: GMT +7
Languages Spoken: Thai. English spoken widely at varying levels. On dive boats English is spoken widely as the dive crew are usually always Westerners.
Major Airports: Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi

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