Which of Thailand’s Two Largest Islands Offer The Best Scuba Diving Opportunities?

Thailand – The Land of Smiles – is one of the most visited countries in the world for people interested in PADI diving either as a recreational adventure sport or to work in the diving industry. What makes the country so attractive depends on the individual, but factors such as a tropical year-round climate, wonderful food for all tastes, cheap living costs, and friendly people all help to make it an easy place to travel to, travel around and stay in. One of the more difficult decisions to make about scuba diving in Thailand is which of the resort destinations best suit one’s needs, budget and preferences. The criteria are likely to be quite different depending on whether those making the decision are contemplating the hundreds of scuba diving jobs available in Thailand or just scuba diving holidays around the southern part of this wonderful nation.

Firstly, for those who wish or plan to work in scuba diving, there is more than just the best beaches or most attractive diving deals to think about. Some will have already graduated as a PADI Divemaster or dive instructor while others will be looking to train in one of the many diving schools or PADI IDC centres dotted around the country. To clarify, a PADI Divemaster is an underwater guide, who should be knowledgeable and experienced in the underwater terrain, rescue and first aid, and guides licensed divers who have already passed their scuba diving certification and are known in the industry as ‘fun divers.’ A PADI dive instructor is a teacher, or trainer, who is more qualified than a Divemaster, and can teach a variety of scuba diving courses from the very first dive for a complete novice to certifying a DMC (Divemaster Candidate) as a qualified PADI Divemaster. Divemasters wanting to gain promotion to become a dive instructor need to do a short course at a facility known as a PADI IDC – Instructor Development Centre.

Without doubt, the most well-known location in Thailand for scuba diving is Phuket. It is the country’s largest island – located on the south west coast - and has a road bridge connecting it to the mainland as well as an international airport. The second largest island in Thailand is Koh Chang – Elephant Island – which is situated in the north east of the Gulf of Thailand, near the border to Cambodia. These two islands vary in many ways, and prospective employees in the scuba diving industry need to think carefully about which would suit them best. There is very little argument to disagree with the claim that Phuket diving is better than that on Koh Chang. There are more scuba diving sites within a practical distance and with the Andaman Sea adjoining the Indian Ocean, cleaner water and more marine life can be expected. However, the best scuba diving is not the only factor to consider. One must also look at the opportunities available, how cheaply and easily one can live, the scuba diving school to be worked at, and what else there is to do other than diving. When taking these other things into account, there is a lot more to think about. In Phuket’s favour, there are more PADI IDC centres and more things to do. Phuket attractions include go-kart racing, vibrant nightlife, and smaller islands such as the Koh Phi Phi just a short ferry ride away. In addition, diving Phuket is not just ‘local diving’ – day trips and half-day trips – because there are dozens of centres who offer diving packages on boats which go out into the sea for several days. This is known as liveaboard diving and in Thailand usually involves a trip to the world-famous Similan Islands. However, Koh Chang also has several advantages for those looking for scuba diving jobs in Thailand. Its location is much more convenient for anyone wanting or needing to travel to, or through, Bangkok. The Bangkok Koh Chang journey can be completed in half a day. There is the option of leaving a car on the mainland, or taking it on a short and inexpensive ferry ride to Koh Chang Thailand. 

The diving community is smaller there than in Phuket and some would argue that it is more friendly, too. Many people who have visited the mountainous island and enjoyed the sea and beaches call Koh Chang paradise just around the corner from Bangkok. One really needs to think about what is most important to them before making a decision, and a short visit to both would be a good idea before committing to either.

Tourists who want to come to dive in Thailand have other needs and desires when tying to decide on which of the country’s two largest islands to visit for diving holidays. Phuket and Koh Chang really are quite different, but similar enough to compare. As mentioned before Phuket attractions are numerous enough to keep people entertained while there on vacation. Phuket beaches are clean, but it really depends on which one you visit. The beaches at Koh Chang paradise are also incredibly beautiful, the local people’s attitudes and local laws helping. For fun divers, there is very little to choose between scuba diving Koh Chang and scuba diving Phuket. Both offer great island scuba diving opportunities at their many interesting underwater dive sites. People who want to try or learn how to scuba dive need to think about what they want with regards to the whole experience. It depends on which scuba diving course they choose and which scuba diving school they learn with. Both Koh Chang paradise and Phuket have enough honest and professional dive centres to choose from. Scuba diving instruction should be friendly and fun, but understood by each and every student. One’s diving holiday would be ruined by a diving accident or injury due to the student not paying attention or the dive instructor giving incorrect information during scuba diving lessons. Each diving course should fit within the budget and timeframe of the tourist, without jeopardizing anyone’s safety or fun. Scuba travel convenience really depends on whether the tourists enter Thailand at Bangkok’s airport or Phuket’s. Phuket holidays are more common than those on Koh Chang, but Koh Chang hotels are numerous and varied enough to suit everyone.

There are more Phuket attractions than in Koh Chang, but wonderful diving holidays can be had on both islands. The best scuba diving experiences do not depend solely on the hotel, water or marine life. The people involved can make or break vacations.