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Scuba diving in Thailand is an incredibly popular activity. Thailand is blessed with over 1,000 miles of coastline facing two different bodies of water: one facing east towards the Gulf of Thailand and one facing west to the Andaman Sea. Along both coasts are hundreds of islands with pellucid, aquamarine waters teeming with marine life including manta rays, dugongs, barracuda, and the occasional whale shark -the world’s largest fish! Diving in Thailand, from Phuket to Koh Tao, you will have opportunities to see these and many more fish and marine life!Those in Thailand diving for their first time typically flock to the island of Koh Tao, whose shallow, gentle waters are ideal for those experiencing their first taste of the underwater world. Dozens of internationally accredited diving schools with regulated prices provide certification to thousands of visitors at reasonable prices all year round.
On the Andaman coast, Koh Phi Phi, a short boat ride from Phuket, is a great place to do some great fun dives, and leopard sharks are frequently spotted there. More advanced divers, or those looking to concentrate their trip on diving in Thailand, can do live aboard dive trips to the Similan or Surin Islands, both National Parks, where Thailand’s best visibility and most interesting marine life are to be found.
More recently, particularly in the wake of Thailand’s devastating tsunami, a number of eco-friendly dive operators have established themselves. Activities include underwater clean ups, reef restoration projects, and live aboard boats manned by trainees from community development centers. An organization called Green Fins also recognizes dive operators who have an environmentally friendly bent.
