Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3000B to 6000B for your Open Water certificate. Ko Pha-Ngan, Ko Phi-Phi, Khao Lak
and Ko Lanta round out Thailand's top five places to learn to dive.
Live-Aboards
The live-aboard industry has been steadily growing in Thailand over the past 20 years.
Most live-aboards are based out of Khao Lak, just north of Phuket on the Andaman
Coast. These live-aboard excursions are all-inclusive (lodging on the boat, food, scuba
gear, guides) and vary in length from two to five nights. Note that there are no diving
live-aboards in the gulf.
Freediving
Freediving is a type of underwater exploration where a diver goes below the waves with
a single breath hold and no scuba or snorkelling gear. Currently, one of the top spots to
try this sport is on Ko Tao in the southern gulf. Beginner courses (usually two days of
diving) cost around 5000B.
For more information on freediving check out
AIDA International
(International Association for
Development of Apnea;
www.aidainternational.org
)
and
CMAS
(World Underwater Federation;
www.cmas.org
)
.
Technical Diving
Often called tec diving by those in the industry, technical diving is an advanced type of
scuba diving involving additional equipment and, most notably, a tank of mixed breath-
ing gases to allow for deeper dives. Technical diving is often taken on as a recreational
sport for those interested in exploring deep wrecks and caves.
Underwater caving has really taken off in recent years, and there are several operators
on Ko Tao that offer one-day/one-night trips out to the submerged grottoes in Khao Sok
National Park (
Click here
)
.
