Scuba diving is possible along both coasts of Thailand - each complementing the other and permitting scuba diving when the other is unsuitable because of the conditions. Liveaboards and shore based scuba diving from the mainland and the array of minor islands around Thailand offer plenty of marine life and corals plus a few good wrecks. Dotted with coral reefs as well as deep water offshore pinnacles, it's not hard to understand Thailand's popularity among backpackers and members of the dive community alike. Sheltered sandy bays offer the perfect depths for learner divers, while the more adventurously inclined can visit deeper sites and perhaps even fulfil the diver's dream of spotting a whale shark or two. The freshly sunk HTMS Khram shipwreck is located just south of Koh Phi and has rapidly become a favourite among local divers. An incredible amount of marine life has already been attracted to this wreck in a relatively short time. The Samae San / Sattahip area has similar diving conditions, with the added attraction of two large intact shipwrecks. The Petchburi Bremen is an old freighter laying in 21 meters of water in the Khram Channel (Sattahip). It is home to many Grouper and Barracuda. The Hardeep is a cargo ship sunk in 28 meters during the World War II era. This ship is completely intact, and can be dived from bow to stern entirely inside!! With a huge hole ripped through her belly the King Cruiser went down in less than an hour and provided the Phuket Diving community, at long last, with her own artificial reef. At 80 feet you'll find the engine room and car deck. Moving up to 60 meters you'll find the passenger section which has the heads, bar and lots of tables and chairs. Even having a low ceiling it is relatively safe to {penetrate|enter{ as the doors are broken off. At 20 feet you'll see the captain's cabin and wheel house. The reef is teeming with life and its closeness to Shark Point and Anemone Reef has undoubtedly had a lot to do with its quick population growth. The wreck is an extremely popular dive and said to be one of the best in area. In Shark Island depths range from 28 meters and above at the southern tip to the surface and at the deeper depths you may be joined by Leopard and Reef Sharks. At the shallow end you will discover pretty gardens of vividly colourful corals and anemones and at high tide it is even possible to cross from one side of the southern island to the other. This site supplies a huge range of fish including the Blue Ringed Angel, Long Fin Banner, and if you are lucky the odd resident Hawksbill Turtle. A 3mm shortie or full length suit is usually enough for scubadiving in Thailand.
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With the presence ofLeopard sharks, whale sharks, silvertips, manta rays and year round scuba diving in Thailandreally is unmissable.
Keith Lunt writes for Godiving.org where you can find more about Thailand scuba diving and other destinations.
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