1/13/2024 0 Comments Toau atoll dive sitesSome say that the Similan Islands are the best for diving in Thailand. Image credit: Paul Nendick, Star fish, Similan Islands Similan Islands: Best Time to Visit: October to May ![]() This is quite a deep dive, with the top of the ship leveling out at about 18 metres, but it is an excellent opportunity to spot wildlife like giant groupers, snappers, butterfly fish, sweetlips and others. The Sattakut is the best shipwreck dive in Koh Tao. Here, you can see a variety of reef fish, like angelfish, butterflyfish, barracuda and also turtles. Ao Leukįor those who prefer shallow dives, Ao Leuk is a beautiful and calm diving location that maxes out at 14 metres. You can also see whale sharks from February to April, as well as leopard sharks, lionfish, rabbitfish and bannerfish. You can see beautiful anemones, western clownfish, grouper, batfish, barracuda and schools of jacks. It is an enormous granite pinnacle that reaches to a depth of 35 metres. Koh Tao’s most famous (and most beautiful) diving location is definitely Chumphon. This is a relaxing dive site connected to Koh Tao by a small sandbar where you can see lots of reef fish in more shallow water. The islands in the Andaman sea are easily accessible from mainland Thailand, via flight or boat. The Andaman Sea is home to some of the most beautiful tropical fish, coral reefs and crystal waters. You may also see some bigger ocean creatures, like leopard sharks and even whale sharks, if you visit at the right time! The Best Dive Sites in Thailand Andaman Sea: Best Time to Visit: November to April Wildlife in Thailand’s waters is varied and beautiful- you’ll see a variety of Indo-Pacific reef fish and other reef dwellers, as well as puffer fish, morays, trigger fish and Moorish idols. Algal blooms may occasionally affect visibility, but will also bring in some pretty big creatures! Visibility in diving locations may vary, but there is a general consensus that 30 metres (or 100 feet) is standard in diving locations, which is excellent. It is important to note, though, that water temperatures rarely fluctuate more than 5 degrees- it could be about 31 degrees C in the warmer months and 26 degrees C in the cooler ones- all in all, the water will be pleasant and generally warm. Image credit: Ilse Reijs & Jan Noud Hutten, Red Lionfish, Koh Lantaįor those who prefer warmer water temperatures, visiting from February to May is generally ideal, and for those who prefer cooler temps, visiting from June to October will be more preferable. Visibility and ocean calmness may suffer during this time, so if you’re planning a getaway for these months, consider relocating your diving plans to the Gulf of Thailand, which will still boast excellent sights during these months (considered its very own ‘high season’). On the West Coast of Thailand, which is becoming more and more popular with tourists, the months from May to October can be considered the off season- it’s Thailand’s rainy period. November to April is also when many liveaboards (for the dive obsessed) make their pilgrimages to the Similan Islands, so if you’re interested in an immersive dive experience, consider going at this time. Experiencing the surreal grace of the manta rays that call the Andaman Sea ‘home’ can be experienced year round. If you’re interested in the gentle giants that are whale sharks, you’ll want to visit anywhere from February to May. The months of November through April are generally considered to be some of the best in terms of dive visibility, water temperature and in the amount of wildlife you’ll see. You’ll get more humidity and rain if you’re visiting from May to September/October, which is the traditional rainy season, and you’ll notice that the country gets drier and less humid from November to March/April. Temperatures in the South range from 30-35 degrees C (85-95 degrees F). Weather in Thailand is pretty invariably warm and humid, with the exception of the country’s northernmost cities. Here’s one factor that’ll have you beaming from cheek to cheek: Thailand’s diving season runs all year round, so there are no times that you should avoid the warm Thai waters, though there are certainly times of the year that will yield the most beautiful discoveries. ![]() Image credit: David Ruben, Koh Tao The Best Time of Year to Go Diving in Thailand
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