Thailand is considered by many to provide the ideal Asian vacation - beautiful beaches, excellent resorts and the warm welcome of the people who live in the 'Land of Smiles'. As a diver, you too can enjoy a Thai diving holiday with some wonderful underwater encounters awaiting you. Whether you want a full-on scuba fest in the Similans or to sip a coconut shake by the pool with your sweetheart, you will find all you need to travel here.
Unlike some other destinations, the resort diving in Thailand is suitable for all levels, satisfying both beginners and experienced scuba divers alike. Many people choose to learn to dive here due to its pleasant, easy sites and fun après-dive activities, making it the perfect combination.
Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in South East Asia and as the 'Gateway to Asia' it has easy access to many locations. It is perhaps most famous for its fabulous beaches and seas but has many other natural attractions so there is always plenty of things to do when taking days off from diving. This might include trekking through beautiful parks and visiting waterfalls, kayaking around fascinating coastlines, or learning about jungle habitats and the creatures that dwell in them.
The kingdom also has a rich cultural and heritage with fascinating temples, palaces, ancient ruins, festivals, and hill-tribes living traditional lives in remote mountainous regions. Thailand will also delight you with its wonderfully inventive and spicy cuisine and its renowned lively nightlife; indeed learning some of the finer points of Thai cookery is a popular pursuit for many visitors. All these factors make Thailand a great vacation destination for both divers and non-divers alike.
The south of Thailand is a strip of land running down the Malaysian peninsula. This is where you will find most of Thailand's spectacular diving packages. The Andaman Sea to the west and the Gulf of Thailand to the east are both sprinkled with islands and national marine parks that have wonderful diving. If it is a diving holiday that you want then the Andaman Sea, and in particular the Similan Islands, are the jewel in the crown.
For scuba divers who prefer to stay on land and conduct daily dive trips, we recommend that you combine a Thai resort or hotel stay with a number of diving day trip options, selected to suit your needs, in one of the following Andaman Sea locations.
We also offer day trip options in the Gulf of Thailand. When its low season on the west coast, May to October, the gulf represents the best option for some good diving in Thailand, with a strong chance of encountering whale sharks:
Not far from Phuket, Khao Lak is best suited to those who prefer more peace and quiet of a natural retreat than the action of places like Patong. There are long stretches of tranquil beaches, fringed by coconut and casuarina trees leading up to a hilly interior.
Khao Lak, in Phang Nga Province, is the closest resort location to the Similan Islands, which represents the best diving in the whole region. As such day trips from here, which run from November to April, focus on the Khao Lak and Similan region. [More information on these dive sites: Khao Lak].
> [More details: Khao Lak Dive Packages]Blessed with some of the most stunning scenery imaginable, Krabi is a gorgeous place to stay on your Thailand dive holiday. Beautiful beaches such as Railay are flanked by specactular, tall limestone cliffs which typify the coastline, and boast beautiful beaches with some great rock climbing and sea kayaking opportunities.
Everything here is less crowded than the better-known tourist areas, and staying at Ao Nang Beach means you can take a day trip dive package to some local dive sites, plus the neighbouring sites of Phi Phi and Phuket Shark Point. [More information on these dive sites: Krabi].
> [More details: Krabi Diving Packages]A favourite choice among travellers to Thailand, Phi Phi's beaches and islands are so beautiful they were the set for the movie 'The Beach'. It is a popular place, but with a more laid-back feel than the busier parts of neighbouring Phuket.
The local dive sites are so good they are visited by day trip divers from the neighbouring provinces. They are all close to the main island so you can dive in the morning and fill your afternoon with other watersports, hiking or soaking up the sun and relaxed vibe. [More information on these dive sites: Phi Phi].
> [More details: Phi Phi Islands Scuba Packages]The 'Pearl of the South' is Thailand's most popular travel destination. Daytrip boats take resort and hotel guests from Phuket to the numerous excellent dive sites of the area. People staying here can dive almost anywhere in the region without having to travel far overland, including the premiere sites at the Similan Islands. [More information on these dive sites: Phuket].
The island is home to many different localities offering something for everyone, from throbbing nightlife for the young and single, to peaceful solitude and family-oriented activities.
> [More details: Phuket Dive Packages]The Gulf of Thailand's most popular tourist island, Koh Samui is a great choice for visitors who simply want to include some diving in their holiday rather than for hardcore divers. Samui promises action and adventure yet maintains some of the island charm that first drew people here. You can explore jungles, dive into waterfalls and enjoy miles of golden beaches.
Dive sites visited on day trips out of Samui include Sail Rock, widely regarded as the best site and the main drawcard in terms of diving in the area (where you could get lucky and see a whale shark), and the sites of Koh Tao. [More information on these dive sites: Koh Samui].
> [More details: Samui Island Scuba Packages]Thailand's dive Mecca for backpackers and young travellers who come here for the convenience of the dive sites and the famously low prices. Life on the island is pretty much entirely geared towards divers, and you will find both the day trip diving and accommodation to be very affordable.
There are more than 25 local Koh Tao dive sites, which include many beginner sites dotted around the coastline and some advanced sites such as Chumphon Pinnacle, where you can encounter bigger fish as well as diving with whale sharks, and the wrecks of HMS Sattakut and MY Trident. There are also frequent trips to the more distant Sail Rock [More information on these dive sites: Koh Tao].
> [More details: Koh Tao Diving Packages]
Ao Nang-Krabi Dive Daytrips
Customer rating: Excellent!
Koh Samui Dive Daytrips
Customer rating: Excellent!
Khao Lak Dive Daytrips
Customer rating: Very good!
Phi Phi Dive Day Trips
Customer rating: Very good!
Phuket Dive Day Trips
Customer rating: Very good!
Koh Tao Dive Day Trips
Customer rating: Good
Thailand has a tropical climate. It is hot throughout the year and the rains are dictated by the monsoon winds. The exact dates the winds change vary from year to year but usually the dry season runs from November to April. The period from March to April can be very hot. The wet season runs from May to October and the wettest month is usually October.
Thailand is an all year round diving destination, but the best diving is from mid November to early May. Some dive sites in the Andaman Sea are closed during the rainy season due to rough seas. Check our Thailand dive site descriptions for more details on the diving season. Visit the resort page of a Thai destination for details on the best time to go there.
Thailand serves as a key travel hub for Southeast Asia, with Bangkok being its primary international gateway. The country enjoys excellent flight connectivity from major regions including Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. For travellers heading straight to popular coastal destinations, several airlines also service Thailand's provincial international airports like Phuket, Koh Samui, and Krabi. Convenient regional connections are also available via frequent flights from neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore, and Bali.
Before your trip, we strongly recommend securing comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers diving activities and includes trip cancellation protection. Explore our competitive insurance options for complete peace of mind:
Thailand's diverse destinations offer accommodation options to suit every preference, from luxurious 5-star resorts to charming bamboo beach huts. For travellers looking to extend their trip before or after a resort diving vacation, our trusted partner HotelsCombined provides an extensive selection of properties across the country:
Their platform makes it easy to find and book your ideal stay, with every reservation protected by their 'Low Price Guarantee', ensuring you get maximum value from your Thailand holiday investment. Whether you seek pampering at a high-end resort or an authentic beachfront bungalow experience, you'll find competitive rates and quality options to complete your diving adventure.
Have questions about diving in Thailand? Our comprehensive FAQ page covers everything from equipment to the best dive seasons.
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