Scuba Diving off Phi Phi Island Thailand

Scuba Diving Nang Yuang Pinnacle

Nang Yuan Pinnacle diving site is also known as ‘Red Rock’ by a few because the locals call it Hin Daeng, which means just that. It is one of the most popular Koh Tao diving sites and although not one of the ‘Big Three’ should certainly be on the itinerary for almost every Koh Tao scuba diver. It has a lot going for it and can be a great fun dive location even if the visibility under water is not very good.

What’s a Safety Stop?

Scuba diving is regarded by some as an extreme sport and by others as an adventure sport. Those who do it probably just think of it as a hobby. It is completely safe, as long as those taking part follow a few simple scuba diving rules. Holding your breath is a big no-no, as this could cause a lung expansion injury. Touching the reef or any animals is also forbidden, both for the divers’ sake and that of whatever they touch. Diving alone and getting too low on air before deciding to end the dive are also against PADI diving rules. However, one possible danger which many people have difficulty understanding, even after having it explained to them, is the need for a safety stop, in order to avoid the serious diving-related health problem known as decompression sickness (DSC / The Bends).

Scuba Diving at Deep Six, in The Similan Islands

Scuba diving at the Similan Islands in Thailand is something that every serious PADI diver should try to experience. Clear turquoise sub-tropical waters full of colourful and healthy marine life, are surrounded by picturesque islands out in the Andaman Sea. Without a shop or hotel within miles, this archipelago of nine main islands and a few rocky outcrops makes up what surely offers the best scuba diving packages in Thailand and among the best in the world.

Donald Duck Bay @ Similan Island #8

Donald Duck Bay

Unlike many Similan Island PADI scuba diving locations, Donald Duck Bay is an easy dive site, which is neither deep nor has strong currents. In addition, it is just a few hundred metres from a lovely beach on the north-west coast of Similan Island #8, the largest in the archipelago on Thailand’s Andaman west coast. The location above the water’s surface is probably more famous than below, although what lies beneath the waves is really what those visiting the Similan Islands come to see.

Scuba Diving At Boulder city Thailand

Boulder City in the south of The Similan Islands of Thailand is a challenging yet exciting PADI scuba diving site. With crystal clear and nutrient-rich tropical waters, divers can see a wide range of marine life ranging from the small and shy Jawfish (endemic to the archipelago) to the majestic but harmless whale shark. Exactly which of the more than a dozen dive locations in the Similans offer the best scuba diving in Thailand is a matter of opinion, taste, and also depends on the water conditions on the day of diving.

Diving at Shark Fin Reef - Similan Islands

One of the larger dive sites at the Similan Islands in Thailand is a place called Shark Fin Reef. Its name derives from the granite boulders which break the surface at low tide and have the appearance of the dorsal fins of three huge sharks. It’s located on the east side of island 3 at the Similans, in the south of the chain. Depths, visibility, coral health and marine life are all excellent, even after the devastating tsunami in December 2004.

Due to its size, Shark Fin Reef can actually be dived twice in a morning or an afternoon. It’s about one kilometer long and lies from north-west to south-east.

Adventure Holidays in Thailand

The Land of Smiles, officially known as The Kingdom of Thailand, is one of the most popular countries in the world for an adventure holiday. Although many of Thailand’s international tourists relax on beaches or visit the hundreds of beautiful temples, the country is actually visited by holiday goers who want to DO something. The country’s wonderfully diverse geography allows for many tastes to be accommodated. Admittedly, skiing is not an option, but there is so much else to do for adventure tourists. Less well-known adventure activities in Thailand include bungee jumping and white water rafting. Moderately-participated adventure holiday activities in Thailand include rock climbing, but surely the most popular are separated into jungle trips and water sports.

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.

The best balance for choosing diving holidays in Thailand

Scuba diving trips in Thailand are becoming such a popular activity for people from countries all over the world, that instructors are having a ‘whale of a time’ training them to complete whichever diving course or discover scuba single dive that they sign up for. It is easy to find a PADI dive instructor who can speak English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Dutch, Japanese, and even Russian in almost every scuba diving destination around Thailand. For those people who are planning to go diving in Thailand and are able to enjoy diving holidays either in The Gulf of Thailand or on the south-west coast, they need to consider several factors before making their final decision.

Cheapest and best way to start working in diving

Discover scuba diving

It’s probably fair to say that most people who try SCUBA diving enjoy it. Many of those who start off with what is known as an Introduction Dive or Discover SCUBA Diving dive, continue to learn how to dive more independently. The bottom rung of the ladder with regards to independent diving is the PADI Open Water (Diver) course, but there are several levels above that for amateur or fun divers, and many levels of professional SCUBA diving. The start of anyone’s work life in diving would be to become a dive guide, normally referred to as a Divemaster. Although it sounds fancy and expert, it is the lowest level of professional SCUBA divers. Becoming a Divemaster enables the individual to work in SCUBA diving all over the world as an underwater guide and helper for fun divers and above.

Wonders under the water - Diving In Thailand

One of the world’s most increasingly popular recreational activities on holiday is SCUBA diving. People as young as 10 years old and as old as their health will allow can breath pressurized air from a tank at depths of 12 metres or more, while swimming alongside marine life such as clown anemone fish, moray eels, turtles, sting rays and even sharks. Such has been the acceptance of exploring this alien world for humans that it has become a huge tourist earner for countries all over the world.