| Ever wonder what it would be like to jump into | | | | to do your Open Water dives from the boat if |
| the water and look around 40m below the | | | | you've completed the paper and pool work |
| surface? The underwater world is mysterious and | | | | ashore beforehand. |
| yet inviting, the experience of diving it provides | | | | Much like Phi Phi, Koh Tao is a fun place for |
| and addictive sense of zen. There's no better | | | | backpackers to learn how to scuba dive. This |
| place to have your first dive experience than | | | | may well be the most affordable place in Thailand |
| Thailand - with good conditions year round. | | | | to take a PADI Open Water course and to build |
| Most dive shops in Thailand offer PADI | | | | up your dive log. Unfortunately it's not the best |
| certification but it's also possible to find a few | | | | diving in Thailand - but it's not yet the worst |
| offering NAUI and SSI certifications. Beginners | | | | either. Koh Tao used to offer frequent whale |
| may be more comfortable diving in the calmer | | | | shark sightings but they are relatively rare these |
| and shallower waters off the east coast of | | | | days. It's also conveniently close (2 hours by |
| Thailand, with destinations such as Koh Tao, Koh | | | | speed boat) to Samui. In fact you can do diving |
| Samui, Pattaya, Koh Samet or Koh Chang being | | | | courses on Samui too. |
| the most popular on that side. | | | | The number of dive boats on a site is not |
| More advanced divers and those beginners who | | | | restricted, so you may find there is too much |
| are confident in their abilities will have a better | | | | company around peak dive times. You may find |
| time diving around Phuket and the Similan Islands. | | | | yourself surrounded by 50 to 100 divers at a |
| Hotspots for diving around here include Phuket, Phi | | | | time, with most of them being Open Water |
| Phi and Khao Lak. | | | | students or day trippers from Samui. |
| Phuket has the most upscale dive operations but | | | | Needless to say, Koh Tao might be great for |
| if you are watching your budget, you might be | | | | learning and for progressing to instructor - but it's |
| more comfortable taking a course at Phi Phi or | | | | not all that great for just recreational diving. Many |
| Khao Lak. Phi Phi is quite popular among the | | | | people come here specifically to advance through |
| younger crowd but there are hotels catering to | | | | courses and proceed with PADI Advanced, |
| older couples and families, which also offer scuba | | | | Rescue Diver, Dive Master/Master Scuba Diver |
| diving courses. Khao Lak offers an excellent | | | | and Instructor courses. |
| choice of dive shops and also has a good range | | | | There are so many choices on Koh Tao that you |
| of accommodation to suit most tastes. It is also | | | | should look carefully at each dive shop and make |
| the closest jumping off point to the Similan | | | | sure they offer you the best value for money. |
| Islands. | | | | Not all dive instructors are the same, and some |
| The Similan Islands, technically located in Phang | | | | are downright scary. Likewise, equipment |
| Nga province, provide some of the best dive sites | | | | standards can vary, and you'll want to make sure |
| in the world. Protected within a marine national | | | | any shop you choose has quality equipment and |
| park, the nine islands are still pristine and rich with | | | | maintains it properly and hygienically. You should |
| wildlife above and below the water. Most dive | | | | also check into the insurance policy of the dive |
| operators will take you ashore at one of the | | | | shop and enquire as to if you should purchase |
| islands, where you can enjoy the powder-white | | | | your own dive insurance for the hyperbaric |
| beaches and see exotic birds and monkeys. | | | | chamber if you have an accident. |
| Under the waves, the colourful reefs and boulder | | | | Most the dive operations in Thailand are run by |
| formations are teeming with coral and a variety | | | | foreigners, which is just as well since Thais have a |
| of marine life. Sometimes whale sharks are even | | | | rather different approach to safety and |
| spotted in the waters, as well as rays and other | | | | responsibility, but you'll find yourself diving with |
| sharks. Visibility is good, varying from 30-50m. | | | | plenty of Thai staff who are their usual friendly |
| The best way to see the Similans is by | | | | easy-going selves. |
| liveaboard, and most dive operators will allow you | | | | |