Similan Scuba Diving – the most fun under the waters of Thailand
Thailand has one of the world’s most diverse marine habitats, with more than 300 major reef groups covering an area of over 4,500 square miles. From pinnacles and submerged rocks, through to stunning coral gardens and sheer walls, the scuba diving in Thailand has something to offer scuba divers of all levels of experience. It is this diversity in marine habitats and diving environments which attracts so many divers to the waters around Thailand every year, and today the region is one of the world’s most popular scuba diving destinations.
There are a number of major diving destinations in Thailand, all offering a wide selection of diverse dive sites. Throughout all of these major destinations is a network of well equipped, knowledgeable and experienced dive centers, offering a range of diving from leisure dives through to a selection of scuba diving courses.
It would be impossible to discuss Thailand, without looking at the scuba diving in Khao Lak and the nearby Khao Lak with the surrounding areas. Without doubt, the diving from Khao Lak is of the highest standard, and the surrounding dive sites host a plethora of great diving. Similan Islands Scuba Diving is frequently listed as one of the ten best diving opportunities on earth. The are also underwater treasures that lie slightly further afield. Dive sites such as the Burma Banks, The Surin Islands and the Mergui Archipelago are often found high on the wish list of many discerning scuba diver and offer some of South East Asia’s finest dive sites.
The scuba diving on the Western Gulf of Thailand sees a different emphasis, and the small islands found here have become one of the world’s most popular areas to learn to scuba dive. In fact, the island of Koh Tao has developed a complete tourist industry from introducing people to scuba diving, and today large numbers of would be scuba divers travel to o Koh Tao every day to begin their diving education. Other islands within the Western Gulf of Thailand are also home to developed scuba diving industries, and destinations such as Koh Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan are both home to a large number of dive centers and divers. However the dive sites are very overwhelmed and the diving here is often referred to as “champagne diving” – all bubbles.
Throughout Thailand there are a number of exceptional dive sites, and sites such as the Richelieu Rock and Shark fin Reef are widely acknowledged as being world class dive sites. However it is the sheer volume of excellent dive sites that makes Thailand such a popular destination. Destinations such as Koh Lipe Krabi, Phi Phi and the Surin Islands are all home to a number of exceptional dive sites and dive centers. For a good reference try the Best Dive Sites in Thailand.
Today, Thailand is one of the world’s most popular scuba diving destinations, and large numbers of scuba divers travel long distances to dive in the waters surrounding this stunning country. The sheer diversity of the diving on offer here ensures that there is something to cater for all tastes and levels of experience. From vertical wrecks, through to submerged pinnacles, from the largest sharks, through to the smallest nudibranches, the diving in Thailand has something for everyone.
The Best Open Water Course in Thailand!
There are many different ways to learn to scuba dive. AN instructor teaches someone in a pool. Others jump off a speedboat and some are lucky enough to do their course on a liveaboard. In Thailand the best bang for you Baht is on a liveaboard – more dives and more experience while cruising through paradise.
The Similan Islands are home to Thailand’s most famous dive sites and are often listed as among the 10 best dive sites in the world. Conveniently located to Khao Lak and the nearby Phuket airport – the diving is very accessible. With the option of Speedboats or liveaboards – many beginning divers chose to do their Similan Liveaboard Open Water course on a 3 day journey through the uninhabited islands. These trips offer the guests their own cabins, meals and many different dive sites.
The calm clear waters, the relaxed atmosphere and the skilled instructors will all contribute to the success of the experience. This is important as SCUBA diving is a lifetime passion – not just a whim.
The courses are easy to take and only require a bit of your time. Much of the academic work can now be completed online (and for free) before you even arrive in Thailand. You can spend your vacation time in the water or on the beaches – no the classroom.
The first day is spent in the pool or on the beach simply getting used to the new equipment and incredible sensation of floating weightless! It’s fun and thrilling to realize that gravity no longer exists – it also takes a bit of practice. Diving also requires a few new skills that you are unlikely to have learned before. Your Instructor will go through all the basic skills that will be demonstrated and practiced in the pool. Then you have the opportunity to practice them too!
In the pool or off the beach – the instructor will settle down in front of the student so that they can see all that she is demonstrating. After some breathing exercises and regulator recovery at the surface the instructor will get all the divers to kneel on the bottom of the pool breathing and getting used to being underwater. The instructor, followed by the student will complete each of the skills. The students need to complete mask clearing, regulator recovery and some basic buoyancy control skills. These basic skills are required to ensure the safety of the divers, as well as giving them confidence to truly enjoy the open water. The instructor and student will then swim around at the bottom of the pool getting comfortable with the equipment and used to the feeling of weightlessness and breathing underwater.
Once these basic skills are done and everyone feels comfortable – it’s time to head off on an amazing journey through the Similan Islands. The student has the opportunity to do 9 dives with their instructor – gaining more confidence and feeling more and more at ease under the sea.
After the first couple of dives the underwater world will really open up. Passing turtles make the reefs an incredible opportunity to slow down and enjoy the marine life. That shadow over the students head? A Manta Ray – something that brings chills to even the most experienced diver. The chance to glide over the rainbow colored corals and the hundreds of species of reef fish make this a memory of a lifetime.
After the student has completed their first open water scuba dive – they surface with big smiles on their faces. The instructor will debrief them and explain how they may improve their diving knowledge and skills by doing a full certification open water scuba diver course. Only 8 more dives to go!
This is by far the best way to learn to scuba dive.
If you would like to make this story come true…simply join our Similan Liveaboard Open Water course
Similan Scuba Diving | Suirn Islands
Surin Islands or Mo Koh Surin National Park
Located about 80 km north of Khao Lak in the emerald water of the Andaman Sea, near the Myanmar (Burmese) border. The Surin Islands archipelago consists of 5 islands: North Surin island, South Surin island, Ko Ree, Ko Pajumla, Ko Kai,
Ko Surin Nuea -this is the biggest island- are some National Park accommodations and at Ko Surin Tai there is a small Morgan gypsy village .
The whole Surin Islands National Park covers a area of about 135 square kilometer. The two bigger Surin Island are separated by a 200 m waterway. The Surin Islands are about 40 km offshore form Kuraburi.
Mu Ko Surin National Park – the official name – is a fantastic crossover from tropical forest and coral reefs. The area shows a rich bio – diversity that ranges from the largest sea creature on earth.
From the Whale Shark to rare birds such as the Beach Thick-Knee and the Nicobar Pigeon. Mammals such as the Malayan Flying Lemur can also be discovered.
The Surin Islands Thailand have been declared a national park in 1981 to make sure not to have the usual encroaching and souvenirs shops everywhere. Its a clean, pristine environment full of beauty above and under the water surface.
The Surin Islands, Ko Surin, Thailand, are accessible either by speedboat day tours or liveaboards. As there is no accommodation or infrastructure for tourism in Kuraburi – it is recommended to stayin Khao Lak – just over one hour south.
The whole Surin Islands archipelago offers a excellent snorkeling and scuba diving environment. The Surin Islands are only a little similar to Similan Islands Thailand are a prime area for scuba diving.
The beaches on north Surin Islands are rather small but many very scenic bays compensate this. You also can go camping 2 days/1night, 3 days/2nights, 4 days/3 nights or depend on your need at the Surin Islands.
If you go on your own, to the Surin Islands pier you can buy ticket for speedboat transfer to- Surin Islands and stay in the Bungalows – very basic – you can only snorkel. Contact us has snorkeling package with included equipment . If you want a scuba dive trip – contact a Khao Lak dive operators.
No trip on the Andaman Sea would be complete without visiting the Surin national marine park,located 60 kilometers north of the Similan and only seven Kilometres from the Burmese border.
The most interesting scuba diving site is a around Richelieu rock. The rocky peak, rising from 30 metres to 35 metres above sea level, is especially popular for its sightings of big pelagic like manta rays and the whale shark, the largest fish in the ocean.
Descending onto Richelieu Rock, the peaks and slopes are covered in purple soft corals and reef species.Vast schools of glassfish blanket the reef, so much so you have to wait for marauding trevally to attack the dense schools of batfish to clear a patch, enabling you to see the astounding reef.
You can also hire a long tail boat with contact us travel agent at Surin Islands and move around. At the Surin Islands park headquarter and restaurant and bathrooms are available, also for campers.
The nature trails starting at the Surin Islands park headquarter give a little challenge to test your fitness.
The south Surin Island has a couple of nice beaches / bays, notably Ao Suthep and Ao Pak Kaad – Ao stands for bay -.
At north Surin Island, Ao Sai Ane and on south Surin Island at Ao Born a small group of Morgan Sea Gypsies has settled, still practicing their daily life like ages ago. Ko Surin also check water sports.
Always choose a dive center that has staff speaking your language, have insurance and are certified. Please avoid using uninsured, untrained boats or dive operators. If they offer too good a deal – it IS too good a deal.
Elephant Head Rock – Similan Island Dive Sites
Thailand is home to some great diving. The Similan Islands are frequently listed among the top 10 dive sites on earth.
It is no wonder that the best dive sites on the Similan Islands are good – damn good! Among the most famous and frequently cited as “incredible” is Elephant Head Rock. Located right int he Center of the islands – just off Koh Similan.
Elephant Head Rock is home to some huge pelagic visitors as well as some incredible macro as well. If you imagine a massive pile of boulders the size of houses that just keep going deeper and deeper into the depths – then you can imagine what this site is like.
Due to Dive profiles and the great features of this site – it’s best to visit in the morning. This usually means joining a Similan Liveaboard as the daytrips usually arrive a bit late.
with Depths to 30 meters and far beyond – Nitrox is also a good idea.
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