Thailand Scuba Diving, Liveaboards

Similan National Park

Rated among the top ten most beautiful archipelagos in the world by Skin Diving Magazine, US

The name of this world-renowned marine national park is derived from a Malay word - "Similan" meaning nine. This park extends over nine islands hence the origins of its name. The US publication - Skin Diving Magazine rates this national park as among the top ten most beautiful archipelagos in the world citing its many attractions both on land, and water.

The nine islands lie in a north-south direction from the islands of Koh Bon, Koh Ba Ngu, Koh Similan, Koh Payu, Koh Ha, Koh Miang, Koh Payan, Koh Payang to Koh Hu Yong, and the untouched island of Koh Ta Chai nearby.

Sites to the west of the islands are open to the sea while hard coral is characteristic of the sites on the east. Multicoloured and unspoiled corals cover the seabed, including the brilliant soft corals, immense sea fans, dazzling sea pansies and huge sponges.

Irregular rocky outcrops tower over the powdery beaches.

The best time for travel to the area is from the end of December to the middle of April. Monsoon-free March is best for clear waters and good underwater visibility.

Transportation : Private boats operate throughout the tourist season. From Thap Lamu, the nearest pier, 40 kms. from the island. The trip takes approximately 3 hours.

For an engaging view of the marine landscape, the 70 kms. from Ao Chalong Pier in Phuket takes 6-7 hours.

Surin Islands National Park

This tropical archipelago consists of 5 islands namely - Koh Surin Neua (North Surin island), Koh Surin Tai (South Surin island), Koh Ri, Koh Khai and Koh Klang (The middle island) with dozens of beautiful coves and bays tucked away.

The Mu Koh Surin National Park offers the most spectacular shallow water coral outcrops. Large and rarely seen marine creatures such as the whale shark frequent the park.

The islands are inhabited by the sea gypsies of the Morgan tribe who have managed to preserve their primitive way of life. The trekking route from the accommodation area to Ao Mai Ngam Bay is ideal for observing wild birds and plant life.

The best time for travel to the area is from December to March.

Transportation : The best way is by boat from Phuket with a number of Phuket-based dive and cruise operators running day-trips and special excursions.

The 60 kms. boat trip from Amphoe Khura Buri Pier takes 4 hours. Chansom Thara Hotel in Ranong also offers a tour programme to the area.

Khai Nok and Khai Nai, Phang Nga

These little twin islands of the Ao Phangnga National Park are noted for their exotic rock formation, crystal clear waters, white beaches and shallow water coral outcrops.

30 minutes by boat from Koh Si Re island, Phuket.

Phi Phi Islands, Krabi

Admired for its natural beauty, the proximity of the Phi Phi islands to the prime dive sites in Thailand has made it Thailand's most popular diving destination.

The Phi Phi islands consists of a group of six islands - Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Koh Bida Nok, Koh Bida Nai, Koh Yung (Mosquito Island) and Koh Phai (Bamboo Island) - which form part of the Hat Noppharat Thara Marine National Park.

Phi Phi Don is the shape of a bar-bell with two limestone outcrops joined by a narrow strip creating two adjacent crescent-shaped bays.

spectacular karst landscape carved out by the elements features sheer limestone cliffs, quaint rock formations, stone arches and secluded, palm-fringed bays. This magnificent landscape continues beneath the emerald waters right down to the sea-floor forming an awesome underwater world of interconnected network of caves and caverns. Unmatched in terms of its biodiversity, marine life such as long sea whips, giant range sea fans and black corals and tropical fish, natives of the habitat, present a delightful kaleidescope of colour.

Phi Phi Le's many attractions include the mysterious prehistoric cave paintings of Viking boats in the Tham Viking Cave. The Ao Pi Le and Ao Lo Sa Ma bays are ideal for scuba diving.

Ao Maya Bay, the location for the movie "The Beach", is naturally known for its white sandy beaches.

Transportation : There are several boat ferries from Phuket and Krabi. One day excursions and trips of longer duration are widely offered, however there is a reduced service during the monsoon season.

Lanta Islands National Park, Krabi

Located less than an hour from Trang, Mu Koh Lanta in Krabi Province encompasses various islands and mountains.

Attractions in the park include the fine beaches of the islands Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi, the steep cliffs and corals growing off undersea rocks at Koh Rok Nai, a beautiful beach and corals in clear shallow waters at Koh Rok Nok, Mu Koh Ha and other beautiful sea corals at Koh Ngai.

Transportation : Take a 45-minute boat trip to Koh Lanta. Boats depart from Chao Fa Pier at 10:00 and 13:00 hours to Sala Dan Pier in Koh Lanta Yai between November to May.

The trip to Koh Ngai from Pak Meng Pier takes 40-minutes.

The islands of Koh Tao and the Mu Koh Ang Thong National Park

The islands of Koh Tao - Turtle Island, and Koh Nang Yuan offer experienced divers virtually year-round diving opportunities with the exception of the November-December monsoon season.

Koh Tao, a bean-shaped island, has 11 bays, beautiful beaches and crystal clear seas with an 8-km. long coral reef teeming with marine life. At dive sites just 1 km. from the island, you'll be swimming in the midst of pelagics, barracudas, big-eyed jacks, tuna, giant travellys and the colourful clown fish. This proximity to the "underwater classrooms" for diving courses makes Koh Tao ideal for beginners.

The renowned diving site at Kong Hin Wong is adorned with huge sea fans, Cetmocella, sea whips and other soft corals.

Whale sharks are often spotted off Koh Hong Sai Daeng.

Hin Tung Ku and Kong Hin Khao are also interesting deep-sea diving sites, thanks to a myriad of marine animals and rare black coral.

Transportation : A 2.5 hours boat trip from Koh Pa-ngan to Koh Tao operates daily. The daily trip from Chumphon to Koh Tao takes 6 hours by ordinary boat and 2 hours by express boat. Scenic Koh Nang Yuan is 15-minutes from Koh Tao.

Racha Noi and Racha Yai Island

These twin islands south of Phuket offer a contrasting experience. With good facilities, a mountain top vantage point overlooking its white beaches, and surrounding coral outcrops, Koh Racha Yai, the larger of the two islands, promises a convenient and enjoyable visit/stay.

Underwater, there is plenty to see, colourful colonies of hard coral, diverse species of tropical fish, even cuttlefish and false barracudas.

Skilled divers on the other hand will enjoy the many challenges and hidden rewards of deep-sea diving around the Koh Racha Noi atoll where the currents are stronger.

The best time for a visit to the area is during the monsoon-free months from December to April.

Transportation : Take a 10-person long-tailed boat from Ao Chalong, Phuket. The trip takes 2 hours. You could also opt for programmes offered by Phuket-based tour operators.

Chao Mai Beach National Park, Trang

Offering vistas quite distinct from the other national parks, Hat Chao Mai National Park is impressive in its own right. Its powdery white beach lined with Casuarina pines, grassland and beach forests stretching for 20 kms. along the shore. The waters are so crystal clear that the magnificent coral reef can be viewed from a distance without even stepping into the water.

The park extends over several islands, each with its own captivating qualities. For example, Koh Kradan is known for its powdery beach and coral reefs along the shoreline. Koh Muk houses the renowned Tham Morakot or the Emerald Cave. Koh Waen and Koh Chueak offer excellent fishing and deep-sea diving opportunities. The seagrass that thrives around these islands attract the near extinct dugong.

Transportation : Take the Trang-Sikao-Pak Meng route from Hat Pak Meng. Drive along the beachfront for 7 kms. to get to the National Park headquarters. For trips to the various islands, there are boats for rental from the Pak Meng Pier, Hat Yao Pier and Khuan Tung Ku Pier.

Tarutao National Park

Unhabited and untouched, the 51 remote islands of the Tarutao National Park, Thailand's first marine national park established 25 years ago. The National Park is divided into 2 key areas - the Tarutao and the Adang-Rawi, with Koh Tarutao being the largest island in the group.

During the darkest days of its history, political prisoners were detained on Tarutao island at two facilities - Talo Udang Prison and Ao Talo Wao Prison.

Today the island is known for its natural splendour which rivals the marine national parks of the Andaman in its pristine beauty. The nearby Adang Rawi islands offer many beautiful and tranquil sandy beaches in contrast with others that feature a rocky landscape, notably at Hat Laem Son. Covered by dense jungle and encircled by coral reefs, the islands are a popular adventure travel destination. The dive sites around Tarutao include Papillon Cliff and Ao Son. Whales, dolphins, turtles and dugongs are often spotted in these waters.

Koh Khai island is famous for its natural stone arch while Koh Hin Ngam ("beautiful stone island") as its name suggests, is known for its smooth and naturally patterned rocks.

Other islands well-worth a visit are Koh Yang, Koh Chabang, Koh Dong and Koh Li Pe.

The delicate ecosystem of the Khlong Phante Malaka mangrove forest is also of interest.

The best time to visit is between November to April. During this season, snorkelling and scuba trips are offered by charter companies.

Transportation : A twice daily ferry operates from Pak Bara Pier in Amphoe La-ngu on the mainland, 65 kms. north of Satun. The distance to Tarutao is 22 kms.

Boat rental services also operate from other piers in Satun such as Koh Nok Pier, Tam Malang Pier and Che Pilang Pier.

Koh Adang and Koh Lipeh can also be reached by ferry from Tarutao.