Diving in Thailand is one of the most rapidly developing types of tourism services that enjoy consistently high demand. His popularity contributes to wealth the underwater world of the Gulf of Siam and the Andaman Sea, as well as relatively low risk – almost no strong currents, low tide levels, bottom relief near the coast stable and diverse, there are no sharp drops in the depths. With all the richness of the fauna, the number of dangerous marine animals (sharks) significantly less than in Sri Lanka and Australia.
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How much is diving in Thailand
Diving in Thailand is regulated by the state, therefore the uniform price list for services of the centers rendering services in immersion (including rental equipment) does not exist. but There is a general rule that forms the price of diving in Thailand. If the diver has no diving experience, he will pay 50% more than the one that has it. Besides, Much depends on the comfort of the watercraft rented for day freight and the number of places visited, considered the most interesting and safe (the so-called dive sites). For examples: Phuket day cruise and three anchorages tourist will cost 100-200 US dollars (read more about Phuket diving).
Also those who are interested in how much is diving in Thailand, it is worth knowing that prices increase as you move to the equator. It will cost you less in Pattaya. Brightest but and expensive, underwater travel is offered in Thai islands, especially small and seldom visited. Services of diving clubs in Thailand cheaper than in Europe or America, but significantly more expensive than in Turkey or in Egypt.
Not only a few dives are available for beginners (40 minutes each, on 12 meters) accompanied with the instructor that will cost not less than 2,700 baht, but also full training. Three days of lessons with obtaining an international PADI Open Water Diver certificate costs from 12 thousand baht.
The best diving seasons
Many tourists are interested in the question not only about where the best diving in Thailand, but in what season is best for them to do If we consider this problem from the point of view physiological comfort, it is worth knowing that in the dry season – he conditionally lasts from early October to mid-March – temperature water from 18 to 290C. But during the monsoon period rains – from May to September – it warms from 26 to 320C
Although the water temperature is suitable for year round this occupation, professional divers point out that the same place in different months is more or less suitable for diving For example, the waters off the coast of the Andaman Sea – Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Similan Islands – the most beautiful from November to end of march. But on the opposite, east bank the peninsula of Malacca – Koh Samui, Koh Tao, the best season for diving from January to September. In the autumn and before the calendar winters off the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand are frequent storms, water opaque.
The best places for diving
It is doubtful that in any resort in Thailand you will not find offers of several diving centers. But if you are already sophisticated diver, then you best go where the services of such kind of provided at a truly professional level. AT first of all on the islands. Such as Similans, Samui, Phangan and others (read more about diving on Samui with a Russian guide). Now we will tell you where, in our opinion, the best places for diving in Thailand.
Gulf of Thailand
Relatively shallow body of water (no more than 90 meters depth), in whose waters are located about 112 large and small islands. There are reefs, but they are few. Most attractive for diving water around the island of Koh Tao. There, most of the surveyed places for diving is located near the underwater cliffs, one of which (Green) is interesting to many underwater tunnels.
Diving in Thailand in Pattayamanit those who want to see at the bottom are various objects of artificial origin. For example, available for inspection of the wreck of the cruiser “Nardip”, sunk at depth only 26 meters. The coast in this area is made of limestone, riddled with underwater caves, the most famous of which is a Twin Chair. It has two halls inhabited by turtles, squid and zebra sharks.
Koh Phangan and Tao Islands will delight divers with clear water, visibility in the thickness of which reaches 25 meters. And Koh Samui interesting colony of red anemones and rock Sail, rising above the surface of the sea at 15 meters. In addition, it is a place where do diving tours of Ang Thong Marine Park go from.
Fans of night dives can go to the reserve Chumphon, whose underwater inhabitants are active at night. Forty protected islands, coastal coral reefs. Can see turtles, many species of fish and even whale sharks.
Andaman Sea
The tourist center of the coast is Phuket Island. Diving is also possible in the province of Krabi, on the islands of Koh Lanta, Ko Lipa, Similan, Surini others. Effects the destructive tsunami of 2004 is almost invisible, under water you will see real coral gardens populated by many a variety of fish – barracuda, stingrays, sea bass, whale and leopard sharks. As well as turtles, crustaceans and invertebrates – octopuses, squid.
Diving in Thailand Phuket is more related to Wreck category – visiting the flooded ships. These are places like like Ter Bey and Racha Yai, where there is a ship graveyard under water and other equipment. But Phuket’s most interesting excursion is visiting the reef of Anemones, near which at a depth of 32 meters (captain’s bridge at 18 meters) lies the Japanese ferry King Cruiser. For 20 years, the ship length of 85 meters was a kind artificial reef. There live stingrays, barracudas, scorpions. TO divers are allowed to divers with an AOWD certificate.
The underwater world around the Similan Islands is fascinatingly beautiful, but it’s places for experienced divers because of the great depths and quite strong currents. The most notable places such as Stonehenge – rock formation infested with fish and other marine inhabitants, as well as Elephant Head Rock (Elephant Head Rock).
If you are interested in a pristine untouched underwater world, Go to the Surin Islands. They are in the Andaman Sea, 80 km west of the coast of Ranong province.
Cave diving
Among the experienced divers are very popular cave (cave) diving tours in Thailand. The largest number of underground Cavities is located in Krabi province, in a geological structure which is dominated by limestone. The deepest of them – the cavity surveyed to a depth of 240 meters – is the cave of Tham Sra Kaeo. It is above ground, consists of two small reservoirs, connecting on 84 meters deep. Located twenty kilometers north of the city Krabi Town, near the village of Bai Nai San.
Not far from Phuket there is an island – rather a limestone rock 30 meters high – Ko Doc Mai. This is one of the most popular. dive sites in the area. It is interesting by the vertical wall, leaving 40 meters into the sea. In it at a depth of 18 and 22 meters there is two entrances to the sea caves. The first, about ten meters long, can visit divers with OWD certificate. The second is available only to professionals. It is about 40 meters long and consists of two halls connected by a flooded channel (siphon).
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