Scuba diving in Thailand offers some of the most spectacular dives in Asia and with the monsoon patterns affecting different parts of the country at different times, the diving here is available all year. There is something to excite all levels of divers, whether they are in the Gulf of Thailand or the Andaman Coast dives range from shallow reef dives to deep wreck dives.

In Thailand however it’s not all about the diving and topside destinations are just as important in selecting your holiday dive destination. If you want to dive in the Gulf of Thailand your best option for topside happiness would be in Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, Chumphon & Pattaya these are all popular Thailand diving destinations.

If diving in the Andaman Sea is you decision then you should base yourself in Phuket, Phi-Phi, Krabi, Koh Lanta or Khao Lak from which are great starting points for scuba diving in the Similan Islands.

All Thailand diving destinations offer a different tropical feel, you are sure to find a destination that suits your taste for a perfect holiday, scuba diving Thailand or otherwise.

NORTHERN GULF OF THAILAND

Pattaya is the main destination for divers interested in technical and wreck diving as the waters off this coast is deeper with a large number of wrecks compared to the other destinations in Thailand.

The island Koh Chang is fast becoming a popular Thailand diving destination offering shallower waters as well as a huge amount of marine life, providing a great environment for diving instruction & guided diving tours.

Chumphon, further past south past Hua Hin, similarly to Koh Chang, is relatively new in the scuba diving destination market. Chumphon offers over 30 islands that belong to the marine national park. Lying just off the coast in the Gulf of Thailand the scuba diving around the islands offers sheltered reefs that are virtually untouched.

SAMUI ARCHIPELAGO

Further south in the Gulf of Thailand is the Samui Archipelago that incorporates the Angthong Marine National Park. The majority of scuba diving in this area is from the shores around the island of Koh Tao which offers beautiful fringing coral reefs and the

Other popular diving destinations here are Koh Samui & Koh Phangan but with the dive sites further away expect a boat ride to the dive sites in the marine national park and some really good ones north of these islands.

THE ANDAMAN COAST

What makes Thailand scuba extremely popular is the liveaboard scuba diving cruises offered to the Similans and Surin Islands, and further north into Myanmar (Burma). Situated on the west side of Thailand the Andaman coast is the perfect jump off point to these dive locations with departure points in both Phuket and Khao Lak.

The dive sites closer to shore also attract a large numbers of divers looking for daytrips only. Krabi is only about 1.5 hours from Phuket by road and shares all the same dive sites but if its island life you like, then Phi Phi & Koh Lanta are destinations to consider for your daily diving.

In summery scuba diving in Thailand offers a huge range of dives to suit all tastes from the novice up to the seasoned professional. This is only a short Introduction to the dive locations and in further posts I will outline the holiday destinations and dive sites available from each one.