All about diving in Thailand

Diving in Thailand

Diving in the coastal waters of Thailand continues to be a rapidly developing area of ​​active recreation. Thai diving owes its popularity to the warm and clear waters of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, and the predictability of surface currents. Mostly, scuba divers encounter only tidal fluctuations in the water level. The rich flora and fauna of the underwater world take the breath away even for experienced divers. Diving to the remains of sunken ships and exploring underwater caves are especially attractive, but this is the lot of professionals.

The safety of this trendy service in Thailand is strictly regulated at the state level. Licenses for commercial scuba diving in the country are issued by the PADI Diving Instructors Guild, the NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors), the Scuba Diving School (SSI) and the TDI (International Federation). The availability of permits from these companies indicates the legality of the service provided, the instructor's qualifications and the proper certification of the equipment offered.

Under the patronage of the listed organizations, a ramified network of schools for express training in the intricacies of exotic vacations has been created. They are represented at all popular resorts in Thailand: Phuket and Ko Lanta, Ko Tao and Krabi, Ko Chang and Ko Samui, and many others. Perhaps it would even be correct to say that it is difficult to find a resort here where diving would not be offered as at least an entertainment for tourists.

Applying for diving as part of an excursion group will usually lead a beginner to lessons and instructions under the auspices of PADI, the most famous association in this regard. Training courses from BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club) are also widely available. The most popular program is still the beginner driver course. Tourists with diving experience are not deprived of the opportunity to use the services of private instructors, which allows them to gain greater freedom in the depths of the sea.

Diving prices in Thailand

There is no single price list for diving services developed by Thai diving centers. The cost depends primarily on the comfort of the vessel on which daily diving is offered (day charter with visits to several dive sites). For example, a tourist staying at a Phuket hotel will pay about 100-120 US dollars for a sea cruise from morning to evening with three anchorages for diving. A beginner will traditionally pay 50% more than a certified diver. The price is also higher, the more remote the dive site.

The lowest prices for diving are offered in Pattaya. The further south you go, the more expensive it is. The highest prices are on the islands, but the conditions there are the best. If you compare prices with other countries, diving in Thailand is cheaper than in America or Europe, but more expensive than in Turkey or Egypt.