There’s nothing better than taking a dip in pristine waters off the coast of Thailand and being at peace. Thailand is home to many jaw-dropping beaches in the South which all-in-all are their very own tropical paradise. The seas are as blue and green as expressed in the brochures and the sand as white and soft as one would expect. Thanks to the beauty of these areas, many tours have opened which have allowed tourists to penetrate into the heart of these locations. To help you get ideas for locating the best places to “sink” into, here are some noteworthy places that should be on your checklist.
The province of Phuket in Thailand is one of the most ideal locations to snorkel or scuba dive. The reason why this province is highly favored by tourists is simply because of its stunning location and ample things to do. The average temperature around Phuket is roughly 25 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius year round. Depending in the time you plan your diving sessions, it’s best to keep in mind Thailand’s seasonal months. The dry and hot seasons begin from January to April. While the summer season is ideal for diving, it’s best to keep in mind Phuket becomes extremely hot even if with proper protection. The reflection off the water can easily burn skin! They rainy season or monsoon season starts from May to December where light drizzles to heavy rainfalls are present.
Let’s start off the list by introducing travelers to one of Phuket’s hidden secrets: Surin Islands.
Surin Islands is one of the more favored locations on Phuket. The island is home to fringing coral reefs, whale sharks, manta rays and heaps of marine wildlife. Surin Islands is one of the more preferred diving and snorkeling locations as the water visibility is exceptionally sharp, even if the location is teeming with plankton. Divers can choose different types of tours available at Surin Islands. Some tours allow you book overnight stays in the national park, book an overnight snorkeling tours where the boat will take you to the best snorkeling locations or choose a snorkeling day trip from Khao Lak.
Since you’re around Surin Islands, why not take a trip to Richelieu Rock, located just 18 km east of Surin. The best time to visit Richelieu Rock is February, March and April where divers can swim through beautiful coves, multi-colored coral reefs and come into contact with the ocean’s gentle giant, the whale shark. It’s recommended to liveabroad on the yacht to spend a couple of days in the area. Rushing on a day trip would just take out all the fun and energy in the day!
Another location for consideration is diving at Similan National Park. Location a little ways away from Grand Mercure Phuket Patong and Patong Beach is this Andaman gem, Similan Islands. The group of nine islands is different in its own way. Some islands offer up lush, coral reef forests teeming with marine life while other locations on the islands have behemoth-sized boulders that have never eroded away. Diving at Similan Islands is like swimming through clear glass. Visibility is at its peak as well as coming into contact with Leopard Sharks and sometimes, elusive Whale Sharks that feed on plankton.
Shark Point is another must-go location for any enthusiastic diver. The name derives from a sharp rock that protrudes out of the water that resembles a shark’s fin. The area is home to several Leopard Sharks which are docile by nature and will tend to swim away if divers invade their personal space. One thing to keep in mind is to keep your hands to yourself. These sharks, although seem docile can turn aggressive at any given moment. Also, by keeping your hands to yourself, to lessens the danger of injuring yourself and the animal.
In conclusion, Phuket is one of the best places in Thailand to start any scuba diving adventure. The water is brimming with marine life and each dive will be different from the last. However, with the unpredictability of seasons, it is possible to dive year around in Phuket. The recommended diving period is between November and April where visibility is at its peak and waters aren’t too hot or cold. These are the best top four diving and snorkeling locations in Phuket that will give you the thrills, chills and value for every penny spent for diving in paradise.
