Diving in Thailand (3)

The Nangyuan Pinnacle is undoubtedly the most popular of all the sites in the region. Its granite boulder formations have a diversity of swim-throughs and tropical reef fish such as groupers, long fin, banner fin and blue spotted stingrays.

Shark Island just off the south-west coast is another of the most popular areas to dive with depths of almost 30 meters and hawksbill turtle, blue ridged angel, long fin banner, leopard sharks and reef sharks. The area is perfect for any standard of diving.

The South-West Pinnacle offers diving ranges between 5 and 30 meters deep. The series of steep pinnacles rise from the sandy seabed and offer an ample variety of colorful marine life, such as butterfly fish, blue-ringed angelfish, jacks, barracudas and occasional whale sharks.

Twins which lies just to the west of Ko Nangyuan is made of rocks with depths of 6 to 18 meters. Among the hard corals are big grouper, white-eyed morak eels, pink anemone, clown fish, blue spotted rays, wrasse and black and white sergeant major fish.

White Rock near Twins offers decent depths for all levels of divers and is a good place for night dives. Marine life there includes butterfly fish, parrot fish, angel fish, large barracuda titan trigger fish and red breasted wrasse.

Ko Phang-ngan

This ‘hippy’ hideout of an island famous for its full-moon parties is an excellent departure point for the northern most part of the Ang Thong Marine National Park. The visibility in the area is just 4 meters with a highest of 25.

Ko Samui

Ko Samui is more renowned for its long sandy beaches and sizzling nightlife than its diving, but there are some enjoyable sites nearby.

Sail Rock is by far and away the most well-known dive site in the Ko Samui area. It is a rock pinnacle shaped like an iceberg which emerges from a sandy seabed at 40m to tower 15m above the surface. It is also a magnet for fish and there are fascinating schools of anemones and pink anemones.

Koh Yippon consists of 50 different islands. The visibility is lower than that of the other sites in the area but the scenery is still beautiful.

Chumphon

Chumphon province offers the visitor an astonishing array of natural attractions and it is a good place to stop and enjoy the healthy diversity of marine life and fringing reefs. One can also do some night diving.

Ko Lak Ngam located just 15km north-east of Chumphon, is one of 40 islands which belong to the Chumphon Marine National Park. There is plenty of hard and soft corals and hosts home to a large amount of sea life such as bat fish, trevally, fusiliers, turtle and seasonal whale sharks.

Pattaya

Just 90 minutes from the capital, this coastal shoreline is ideal for those in Bangkok who wish to do some diving on their day off.

Undoubtedly, the most popular destination in Pattaya for diving buffs is the Hardeep Wreck which was sunk by the allies in the Second World War. The wreck lies on its starboard side at a maximum depth of 26 meters.

Ko Chang Marine National Park

Ko Chang has seen an explosion in the amount of visitors over the past few years. It is just one of a total 52 islands in the Marine National Park. Even though the area has previously been victim to man-made wrongs, there is still the chance to enjoy fringing reefs, marine life, a wreck, giant clams and snorkeling.

Hin Kuak Maa offers the diver a huge variety of solid and soft corals which are home to the likes of moray eels, blue spotted sting rays, sea turtles, starfish, stonefish and puffer fish.

Hin Luk Bath
has turned into one of the most favored dive sites around with its boulder formations which appear from a sandy seabed 15 meters down The way they jut out allows a vast array of corals and barrel sponges. It is also possible to spot angel fish and barracuda.

Hin Rap South is a 18 meter rock pinnacle which can be dived by anyone of every level. It is covered with staghorn corals, barrel sponges and delicate corals. Experienced divers can also venture out 200 meters to admire a group of rocks known as Blue Mountains which often glow from the sun.

Hin Run Tek with an average depth of 12 meters, is a huge rock formation site with a diversity of colorful marine life such as parrotfish, wrasse and angelfish.

When to dive in Thailand

The best time to dive in the Andaman Sea is from October to April, and in the Gulf of Thailand from May to September. However though, it is okay to dive all year round.

3. Diving Courses and Types Available

There are four diving companies operating in Thailand offering diving certification, they are:

PADI - The Professional Association of Diving Instructors

NAUI - The National Association of Underwater Instructors

SSI – Scuba Schools International

BSAC - The British Sub-Aqua Club