Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHALE SHARKS
The elusive whale shark - the largest fish in the sea - has a giant mouth that can measure about 2m wide (so just
imagine how big their bodies are!) Don't worry: they are filter feeders, which means they mostly feed on plank-
ton, krill and other tiny organisms. Usually these gentle creatures gravitate towards submerged pinnacles. They
often hang out at a site for several days before continuing on, so if rumours are flying around about a recent
sighting, strap on your scuba gear and hit the high seas.
Where to Dive
Thailand's coastal topography sits at the junction of two distinct oceanic zones - the An-
daman waters wash in from the west, while the gulf coast draws its waters from the is-
lands of Indonesia and the South China Sea.
Diving the Andaman
When the weather is right, the Andaman Sea has some of the finest diving in Southeast
Asia. Many would argue that the Andaman has better diving than the gulf, but this is
mostly attributed to excellent visibility during the few months of favourable sea condi-
tions. Over the last several years coral bleaching has been an issue and you'll encounter
less of this around more remote sites like Richelieu Rock.
Exploring the Gulf
The best part about diving in the Gulf of Thailand is that sea conditions are generally fa-
vourable throughout the year. The southwestern gulf coast has the finest diving spots,
near the islands of Ko Tao and Ko Pha-Ngan. Pattaya, just a quick two-hour hop from the
Bangkok bustle, offers a few memorable dives as well, including a couple of wrecks. On
the far eastern side of the coast, the Ko Chang archipelago provides for some pleasant
scuba possibilities, although choppy seas limit the season to between November and
May.
Safe Diving
Before You Dive
Before embarking on a scuba-diving trip, carefully consider the following points to en-
sure a safe and enjoyable experience:
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Ensure you're healthy and feel comfortable diving. Make sure to be very hydrated on the days you dive.
