Scuba Diving in Thailand - The Secrets of One of the World's Most Popular Diving Destinations

Thailand has one of the world's most diverse marine habitats, with more than 300 major reef groups covering an area of over 4,500 square miles. From pinnacles and submerged rocks, through to stunning coral gardens and sheer walls, the scuba diving in Thailand has something to offer scuba divers of all levels of experience. It is this diversity in marine habitats and diving environments which attracts so many divers to the waters around Thailand every year, and today the region is one of the world's most popular scuba diving destinations.

There are a number of major diving destinations in Thailand, all offering a wide selection of diverse dive sites. Throughout all of these major destinations is a network of well equipped, knowledgeable and experienced dive centres, offering a range of diving from leisure dives through to a selection of scuba diving courses.

It would be impossible to discuss Thailand, without looking at the scuba diving in Phuket and the surrounding areas. Without doubt, the diving in Phuket is of the highest standard, and the waters surrounding the 'island' host a number of excellent dive sites. However, the real underwater treasures of Phuket lie slightly further afield. Dive sites such as the Burma Banks, The Similan Islands and the Mergui Archipelago are often found high on the wish list of many discerning scuba diver and offer some of South East Asia's finest dive sites.

The scuba diving on the Western Gulf of Thailand sees a different emphasis, and the small islands found here have become one of the world's most popular areas to learn to scuba dive. In fact, the island of Koh Tao has developed a complete tourist industry from scuba diving, and today large numbers of would be scuba divers travel to Koh Tao every day to begin their diving education. Other islands within the Western Gulf of Thailand are also home to developed scuba diving industries, and destinations such as Koh Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan are both home to a large number of dive centres and excellent dive sites.

Throughout Thailand there are a number of exceptional dive sites, and sites such as the Richelieu Rock and Chumpon Pinnacle are widely acknowledged as being world class dive sites. However it is the sheer volume of excellent dive sites that makes Thailand such a popular destination. Destinations such as Pattaya, Krabi, Ko Chang and the Surin Islands are all home to a number of exceptional dive sites and dive centres.

Today, Thailand is one of the world's most popular scuba diving destinations, and large numbers of scuba divers travel long distances to dive in the waters surrounding this stunning country. The sheer diversity of the diving on offer here ensures that there is something to cater for all tastes and levels of experience. From vertical wrecks, through to submerged pinnacles, from the largest sharks, through to the smallest nudibranches, the diving in Thailand has something for everyone.

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Scuba Diving in Phuket - The Pearl of the Andaman

Located on the western coast of the Thailand Peninsula, with its shores on the warm waters of the Andaman Sea lies the beautiful island of Phuket. The largest island off the coast of Thailand, the island of Phuket covers an area of just over 300 square miles, and is connected to mainland Thailand via a bridge at the north of the island.

For the past 25 years, the island of Phuket has catered for a large number of tourists from all over the world, a large percentage of whom are scuba divers looking to dive on some Asia's finest dive sites. Today, scuba diving in Phuket is big business, and the island has a large number of excellent dive centres offering a number of diving services ranging from leisure dives through to the most advanced courses. Learn scuba dive phuket with more fun in Thailand is very easy with Ocean Geo Divers.

The Racha Islands, located off the Southern tip of Thailand are one of Phuket's best dive sites, and the two islands offer excellent diving in crystal clear waters as well as the opportunity for big animal encounters. In particular, the smaller island, Racha Noi, offers some breathtaking underwater scenery, and is renowned for both whale shark and manta ray encounters.



The dive sites off Ao Phang-Nga, including the famous Shark Point and King Cruiser Wrecks, are widely acknowledged as being the best dive sites in the Phuket region. The waters around in and around Ao Phang-Nga are notable for the profusion of marine life, offering divers access to a range of marine life and coral which is unrivalled elsewhere in Phuket.

Phuket is also home to one of the worlds most developed liveaboard industries, with a large number of liveaboards offering diving in destinations such as the Similan Islands, the Mergui Archipelago and the Burma Banks. For scuba divers wishing to dive these more remote destinations, a Phuket liveaboard is the only realistic option for access. As such, the liveaboard industry in Phuket is a thriving and competitive business, with an increasing number of liveaboards operating from Phuket.

Further east lie the islands of Ko Phi Phi Don, and Ko Phi Phi Lae, a region characterised by the stunning topography of the amazing limestone cliffs. These islands are fringed with a number of hard coral gardens, as well as some excellent examples of soft corals, orange sea fans, sea whips and black coral.

Phuket is well deserving of its title as the 'Pearl of the Andaman,' and undoubtedly the region boasts some of Thailand's best dive sites. As environmental issues such as marine conservation slowly work their way up Thailand's political agenda, the future for scuba diving phuket looks a healthy one.

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A Brief Guide to Phuket, Thailand

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and has the largest number of recorded reigns in the world. Current King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is the ninth king of the House of Chakri, and is the longest serving head of state alive today, and the longest serving monarch Thailand has ever had.
Thailand's economy was considerably boosted in the 1980s and 90s, when it became more industrialised, and tourism became strongly promoted. Today, Thailand's exports and tourism are two of its most valued industries.

Thailand is blessed with several tourist destinations which see millions of visitors from all over the world. Ayutthaya, Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Ko Samui are among the most popular places in Thailand. Phuket is an island which lies off the South West coast of Thailand. It is a popular tourist destination and is famed for a number of activities, some of which are highlighted below:-

Lean to Cook Thai Cuisine

Thai Cuisine is known the world over, and Thai food is one of the most popular in the world. Though cookery classes may not be an immediate choice for a holiday or vacation pastime while in Thailand, the exotic nature of Thai food provides hours of fun for many Phuket tourists.

Phuket provides cooking classes from experienced chefs. Many cooking classes are held near man shopping complexes in Phuket, such as Jungcelon. Many classes are held in working restaurants and bars.

Classes are aimed at all levels and many start with a tour of a Thai food market, before combining these wonderful and exotic Thai ingredients together. Thai food is about balancing flavours for an authentic and unforgettable dinning experience.

Of course, once you have picked up the basics, putting your new found Thai cooking skills to use in your Thailand Phuket vacation and holiday rental apartment simply has to be done.

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project

Gibbons and other species of Monkeys native to South East Asia are often taken and used as tourist attractions. The process of hunting and capturing gibbons is often barbaric, with younger animals being taken and the older ones slaughtered. The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP) on Phuket was established to try and help gibbons that had been taken from their natural habitat, by nursing them back to health and reintroduce them to the wild once they were ready. It has received some bad press from people that have claimed to work for the GRP, but it has also received plenty of praise from other quarters. The project on Phuket It is open to visitors and volunteers.

Elephant Trekking

If you choose to go on an elephant trek across Phuket, you have in all probability saved the elephant's life. Since the logging industry was banned in 1989 and the changing environment of Phuket due to industrialisation, wild elephants together with working elephants have all but disappeared outside of tourism. Like humans, elephants need employment to survive in Thailand and being used as transport for tourists is really their only option. They are clever, intelligent, and due to the slow speed they walk at, are a perfect way to take in the splendour of Phuket.

It has been recommended to only use established tour operators for elephant trekking, as they treat the animals better, and they avoid inhumane or cruel practices.

Elephants are an established part of Thailand's history, where in Ancient Siam they were used in battle in a similar role as modern day tanks. It is believed that only 2000 South Asian elephants live in the wild and experts feat that the numbers are too low to sustain genetic diversity.

Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi Islands are four islands which are for the more outgoing traveller or tourist. Surrounded by coral reef, not surprisingly all manner of water sports and activities can be undertook, including snorkelling, cliff diving, and scuba diving to name but a few. Other activities include camping, walking, football (soccer), and wildlife includes monkeys and sharks.

Temple Viewing

To understand Thailand's culture and their religions is key to understanding Thailand itself. Phuket like many parts of Thailand has plenty of temples. They are established landmarks, and temples such as the Big Buddha and Chalong Temple are must see viewing for any visit to Phuket. As temples are very important to locals in Thailand, it is important to treat them with respect and follow common sense practices that you would if visiting a church in the west. Beachwear for example would be frowned upon to visit a temple.

Stephanie Holland has extensive experience in writing like learn scuba dive phuket and scuba diving phuket , having created print advertisements and press releases for various clients in the past. On the side, she is an active blogger who posts about myriad topics ranging from current events, pop culture, and even weddings. She presently works as a web copywriter for Fireflychalet, a company based in the Thailand that specializes on assisting accommodation providers to increase their direct bookings online.

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5 Amazing Places to Visit in Phuket, Thailand

Have you booked an accommodation at a hotel in phuket thailand diving for your next holiday? If so, you're probably preparing your travel itinerary right now. But then you stop and think: which places should you visit to make the most of your Thailand vacation? To help you plan for a remarkable trip, here are some suggestions:.

1. Phuket Old Town - Located within walking distance from the city center, this historically rich area features a group of buildings that boasts European colonial architecture that's well-preserved up until this day. The structures were built during Thailand's tin boom of the 19th century and are characterized by an architectural style described as "Sino-Portuguese," which has a strongly Mediterranean character. Some of the edifices in the area include stately mansions of tin barons from 100 years ago, as well as ornate shophouses, printing shops, cafes, museums, shrines, and temples.

2. Wat Chalong - Among the 29 Buddhist monasteries in Phuket, Wat Chalong is probably the largest, most important, and most elaborate of them all. It is visually dazzling, with the temple consisting 3 floors and containing interesting murals. But besides its impressive design, what draws travelers to Wat Chalong is the history behind it. The monastery was built in commemoration of 2 venerable monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, who were instrumental in ending the tin miners' rebellion of 1876. Both were also renowned for their knowledge in herbal medicine, which they applied as they treated the injured during the said revolt.


 
3. Phuket Fanta Sea - This 140-acre site is promoted as "the ultimate nighttime cultural theme park." Grandiose in every level, Phuket FantaSea is the island's biggest show, featuring a Las Vegas-style spectacle of Thailand's myths, legends, and history. Highlights of this attraction include pyrotechnics, aerial ballet performances, battle reenactments, magic shows, and song and dance numbers by a cast of hundreds. Other things to watch out here are The Palace of the Elephants, a 3,000-seat theater, plus its superb shopping and dining choices. Scuba dive course phuket with Ocean Geo Divers will be the best deal in thailand surely without loss your entertainment.   

4. East of Eden - Located east of Koh Pa-Yu, it is considered one of the best dive sites in the country. Its reef slope ranges from 5 to 40 m, making it an ideal destination for both novice and professional divers. Its main attraction is the pinnacle called Ruan Gluay-Mai, which is covered in soft corals and sea fans. And aside from a sight of various kinds of fish and beautiful coral gardens, it also features interesting caverns, some of which divers can swim through.

5. Patong Beach - Originally a fishing village, this 3-km shoreline is currently Phuket's most developed beach. It boasts a vibrant nightlife, and myriad shopping, dining, and recreational options. A number of hotels have also sprouted in the area, from exclusive resorts like Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa to boutique hotels like Club Bamboo Boutique Resort & Spa. Despite the modern fixtures found in Patong Beach, its natural setting still exudes much beauty, and provides an excellent location for water sports like snorkeling, waterskiing, windsurfing, parasailing, and sailboarding.

These 5 places are not to be missed during your trip. So upon arriving at your hotel in Phuket, Thailand, leave your bags in your room and explore these fantastic sites.

Stephanie Holland has extensive experience in writing, having created print advertisements and press releases for various clients in the past. On the side, she is an active blogger who posts about myriad topics ranging from current events, pop culture, and even weddings. She presently works as a web copywriter for Fireflychalet, a company based in the Thailand that specializes on assisting accommodation providers to increase their direct bookings online.

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