Thailand Diving Holidays

Tailor-made Thailand diving holidays

Diving holidays in Thailand combine some of the world’s most beautiful beaches with a wide range of breathtaking diving opportunities. The Andaman Sea off the west coast of Thailand is one of the most naturally beautiful seas anywhere, with majestic cliffs forming a backdrop to aquamarine waters. The diving in the Andaman Sea is some of the finest in South East Asia and the country offers many compelling reasons to visit.

Thailand enjoys a deserved reputation as one of the most beautiful and welcoming countries in South East Asia. The traditional lifestyles of much of the population and a rich cultural heritage offer a complete contrast to the rapid development of the country into a modern sophisticated destination.

Thai food is universally recognised as one of the world’s great cuisines. Thai culture is both ancient and visible to visitors. Accommodation offers both high levels of service and excellent value for money.

The Similan Islands lay claim to some of the finest dive sites in Thailand. Accessed by liveaboard, the thriving reefs with abundant hard and soft corals highlight the dramatic terrain. The islands’ east and west coasts provide contrasting styles of diving within a relatively small area. The East coast is marked by fine coral reefs, whilst the west coast offers dramatic drift diving through granite outcrops.

North of the Similan Islands the dive sites of Ko Bon, Ko Tachai and Richelieu Rock enjoy a deserved reputation for their large pelagic sightings. Richelieu Rock in particular attracts both whale sharks and manta rays in good numbers over the diving season. Liveaboard itineraries to these dive sites are offered on MY Genesis 1, MV Marco Polo and Thailand Aggressor.

For resort-based stays, day boats operate year-round to dive sites southeast of Phuket. The dramatically beautiful seas around Ko Phi Phi provide a range of excellent dive sites that mark out Phuket as an excellent base for a resort-based diving holiday. Koh Dok Mai is a vertical wall plunging to 30m, covered in colourful crinoids. Another popular day boat site, Shark Point, is named after the inhabitant leopard sharks. Anemone Reef is one of the most popular day trips from Phuket. This dramatic drop off has been awarded official marine sanctuary status and offers fabulous diving. This is also the location of the King Cruiser, the impressive wreck of an 86m ferry that sank in 1997.

Diverse Travel’s programme in Thailand is completely flexible. With daily flights into Phuket, you may wish to simply enjoy a fabulous week’s diving in resort, perhaps consider a liveaboard with a stay either side in Phuket or why not add to the adventure with a stop-over in Bangkok? The choice is yours!