The Gulf of Thailand is a popular scuba diving destination, offering a wide range of dive sites suitable for both experienced divers and beginners. Here is some information about scuba diving in the Gulf of Thailand:
Best scuba diving spots for experienced divers:
- Sail Rock - known for its impressive vertical pinnacle that drops down to 40 meters, attracting large schools of barracuda, trevally, and batfish.
- Chumphon Pinnacle - a deep dive site with strong currents, featuring colorful soft coral and a chance to spot whale sharks and bull sharks.
- Southwest Pinnacle - located in the Ang Thong Marine Park, this dive site is known for its huge underwater boulders and diverse marine life, including schools of snappers, barracudas, and whale sharks.
Best scuba diving spots for beginners:
- Koh Tao - an island known for its calm waters and shallow reefs, offering great opportunities for beginner divers to learn and explore the underwater world.
- Koh Samui - the island offers various dive sites with easy access and calm conditions, such as Coral Cove and Koh Tan.
- Koh Chang - another great destination for beginner divers, with shallow reefs and clear waters, providing a chance to see colorful tropical fish and even turtles.
Marine life:
The Gulf of Thailand is home to a diverse range of marine life, including colorful coral reefs, schools of tropical fish, whale sharks, bull sharks, and barracudas.
Dive conditions:
The Gulf of Thailand generally offers warm waters with average temperatures ranging from 26-30°C (79-86°F). Visibility can vary depending on the dive site and season, but can reach up to 30 meters (100 feet) in some locations. Water currents can be strong in some dive sites, especially those suitable for experienced divers.
Cost:
The cost of scuba diving in the Gulf of Thailand varies depending on the dive operator, location, and package selected. As a general guide, a single dive can cost around 1,500-2,500 THB (approximately 50-80 USD), while a full-day dive trip can cost around 3,000-4,500 THB (approximately 100-150 USD).
