A rainbow of colours in your field of vision erupts, a multitude of small fish have just passed in front of you. You think you're in a dream of a thousand and one colours. It's a bit like diving into Nemo's world. Nothing unusual about that, since Thailand is renowned the world over for the beauty of its seabed. To make sure you don't miss out on any of these wonders during your trip, Petit Futé reveals the 11 best places to dive in Thailand.
1. Koh Tao, the most famous place for diving in Thailand
How could we not start this selection with Koh Tao. This island is world-renowned for being a diving site that is both easy to access and ideal for beginners. There is a wide variety of dive centres and training courses available.
Good to know the island attracts so many visitors that some sites are showing signs of wear and tear. To make the most of this activity while respecting the environment and marine life, we recommend that you go to centres that are committed to the environment.
Among the island's most popular sites is Chumphon Pinnacle, a spot made for lovers of big fish such as the whale shark. For shark lovers, we recommend a trip to Shark Bay, a spot frequented by black-tip sharks.
Explore the wonders of Koh Tao on a day trip with visits to 5 spots and lunch included by booking here.
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2. Diving at Shark Point to meet sharks
Among the countless fish found in Thailand, Shark Point on Ko Phi Phi stands out as the spot where leopard sharks and bamboo sharks are regularly spotted. As well as these majestic creatures, you can observe the soft corals and gorgonians which, as well as offering a colourful landscape, are home to numerous species. Barracudas, tunas, jacks, seahorses: in short, a whole range of surprises awaits you underwater.
What level of diving is required? For beginners, it's advisable to be accompanied by a guide; however, for those who have completed the basic training course (Open Water), it's a green light to dive!
The desire to explore the seabed in search of the sensational is understandable, but if you want to experience the extraordinary, the infinitely pleasurable (especially for those with a sweet tooth), we recommend that you tantalise your taste buds with never-before-explored flavours. Discover our Top 15 Thai culinary specialities to try.
3. Similan Islands, one of the best diving spots in Thailand
Located in the Andaman Sea, the Similan Islands are home to a rich biodiversity of hard and soft corals, schools of reef fish and sponges. With so much marine life to choose from, it's easy to understand why they are such a popular diving destination. If you're planning to go diving in this part of Thailand, don't miss Koh Bon. You might just be lucky enough to spot some manta rays!
4. Koh Phangan, the party island of a thousand underwater shades
Dear party-goers, you probably know Koh Phangan for its lively parties, but did you know that this island is also exceptional for diving? For snorkellers, we recommend Mae Haad; for beginners, Mango Bay and White Rock will delight you with a rainbow of vibrant colours, including parrotfish, clownfish and angelfish. For the best visibility in the water, we recommend diving during the dry season, from December to June.
During your trip, would you like to discover Thailand's underwater treasures as well as its land treasures? Discover the 15 must-see places to visit.
Take advantage ofan excursion to Koh Phangan to discover the underwater paradise, populated by magnificent fish and coral, by booking here.
5. Richelieu Rock, a must-see scuba diving spot in Thailand
In the Andaman Sea, you'll find a pinnacle. To cut a long story short, it's a rock formation that rises from the ocean floor to the surface. The starfish of this dive site are seahorses, but you'll also be lucky enough to find harlequin shrimp, whale sharks and many other fish.
We recommend you visit between late October and early May, as the site closes for the rest of the year. If you're going to be a diver, you'd better get ready, because you could well be dazzled by the colours.
What should you do if you encounter a titan triggerfish?
Prevention is better than cure, as this fish is very territorial: if you see one that seems to be circling around a point with its dorsal fin raised, move away to the side and not upwards. Slowly leave the area to move away from the nest. Remember to avoid sandy areas where there is a hole: this is a sign of a nest.
The Petit Futé tipif you want to increase your chances of spotting whale sharks and mantas, the best time to hope for an encounter is between February and April.
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6. Koh Phi Phi, to delight beginners and experienced divers alike
If we had to name one dive site in Thailand that would suit both beginners and experienced divers, we'd definitely suggest Koh Phi Phi. The currents are moderate to weak and visibility, in the dry season, is quite good, reaching up to 30 metres. Ko Phi Phi has a rich fauna: if you're lucky, because nothing is guaranteed - which makes underwater encounters even more exceptional - you may come across turtles, blacktip sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, red gorgonians and many other marine creatures.
Thailand doesn't sound like much of a diving destination to you? Perhaps you'll change your mind after reading the 10 good reasons to discover Thailand.
How do you choose a diving centre in Thailand? Check that the centre is certified by PADI or SSI, make sure that the number of divers per instructor is limited (no more than 5), and consult the various user reviews.
7. Diving at Anemone Reef, one of the busiest spots in the world
As its name suggests, this scuba diving site is rich in sea anemones that cover the pinnacle: like Sébastien, the Little Mermaid's faithful friend, you will immerse yourself in the melody under the ocean and marvel at the colours and wide variety of fish at Anemone Reef. We recommend this dive site for those with Open Water certification or, if not and you are a beginner, to be well supervised and to choose a day with calm and optimal conditions. Anemone Reef is quite busy, so if you're looking for a quieter dive to get the most out of the experience, book an early morning slot.
How much does it cost to dive in Thailand? There are three price levels: 2,000 to 3,000 THB/day, mid-range 3,000 to 4,000 THB/day and top-of-the-range 4,500 to 6,000 THB/day. The price varies according to several criteria: the number of dives, the remoteness or fame of the sites, and whether meals, equipment and park fees are included.
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8. Koh Lanta, not just on TV: from dream to reality
We've seen you thinking about your favourite TV show, slumped on your sofa with your meal tray, eager for entertainment. But did you know that the area around Koh Lanta is full of wonders just waiting to be discovered? Your favourite show doesn't just take place on Koh Lanta. Don't believe us? Discover the 10 most beautiful filming locations on Koh Lanta.
Located in the province of Krabi and in the Andaman Sea, the best time to dive is, unsurprisingly, the dry season, as during the monsoon season visibility is poorer and the sea rougher. Around the island are some of Thailand's best dive sites, such as Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. They are renowned for their deep reefs, purple and red soft corals and frequent encounters with large fish.
Did you know? Hin Muang owes its nickname of "purple rock" to its pink soft corals. They create an almost supernatural seascape.
9. Racha Islands, one of Thailand's must-see diving spots
Diving in rock-clear water offering exceptional visibility... we're talking about Racha Yai. Close to Phuket, this site is suitable for beginners and intermediate divers. You'll find colourful reefs as well as clownfish, butterflies, turtles and maybe even sharks. Racha Noi is more suitable for more experienced divers, with pelagic fauna such as sharks, rays, manta rays and jacks. Racha Noi is also well known for Shark Point, a site where the famous and unique leopard shark is often seen.
What is the water temperature in Thailand? The average temperature is between 28 and 31°C during the dry season and between 27 and 29°C in the rainy season.
For those who fear the depths, you can still enjoy Thailand's reefs by snorkelling. Discover where to go snorkelling.
10. Admire the colourful corals at Chumphon
Chumphon's most famous dive sites include Chumphon Pinnacle, Southwest Pinnacle and Koh Ngam Yai. What we loved at the Petit Futé were the colourful corals and sponges, the wide variety of tropical fish, the reef and leopard sharks that can be seen and the manta rays in the deeper waters. In terms of levels, most of the sites require Open Water, although some require Advanced. This region is less touristy than Koh Tao and Phuket, so if you're looking for a bit more peace and quiet, don't hesitate!
Are diving cruises available? Yes, for those who want to dedicate part of their holiday to exploring the riches of Thailand by scuba diving. In fact, there are diving cruises of varying lengths and price ranges.
You like small fish, but what you really want is to see sharks. The problem is that you can't see them everywhere. The Petit Futé can help: find out where to go shark diving.
11. Sail Rock, a favourite with experienced divers
For certified divers with a little experience, don't miss out on your future favourite dive, Sail Rock. Here you'll find a unique terrain with an underwater chimney and a high density of schools of fish. However, during your dive, we advise you to take care to manage your air as the depth is greater. If you're lucky, you may find yourself surrounded by schools of curious batfish, an experience as unusual as it is rare.
Did you know? Despite its popularity, Sail Rock remains a relatively unspoilt place, with access limited to supervised groups of divers, which helps to protect the fragile ecosystem.
Now you have your top 11 diving spots in Thailand, all you need is your top 5 must-see places on a trip to Thailand.
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