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Diving

Pattaya

Numerous dive schools in Pattaya are offer PADI and other authorized training course in diving and have their own boats to take students to dive areas and supervise their diving. Courses can be taught in various languages such as English, German, Japanese, Thai, Chinese, etc., depending on the particular dive shop.

Optimal diving is found from November to March and the main scuba diving areas around Pattaya are located in the Far Islands, a second ring of islands about 20-30 kilometers from Pattaya. The islands are controlled by the Navy, with no permanent structures and minimal boat traffic. These islands include Koh Kin, Koh Man Wichai, Koh Hu Chang and Koh Phai.

Altogether there are 20 different dive sites with visibility ranging from 5-15 meters. Contact Mermaid’s Scuba Diving, Tel: 038-232 219, www.mermaiddive.com  for more information.

Phuket

Phuket is one of Thailand’s main centres for diving and snorkeling as its unique coral reefs draw both the novice and expert underwater adventurer. The warm, clear waters of the Andaman Sea provide excellent conditions for the growth of coral and a rich variety of marine life.

One of the main attractions of the island’s underwater world is the contrasting features from north to south. Massive granite boulders can be seen on the islands northern ocean floor, while the southern area features towering limestone karsts.

Popular dive hotspots include the Similans, Surin, and Phi Phi islands. Equipment and instruction can be found at any of the main beaches.

For more information visit www.sea-bees.com

Samui

Samui and the surrounding islands provide plenty of exciting diving for both experienced and non-experienced divers alike. The depths of dives range from over 30 meters to just a few meters, so whether you are a first time diver or looking for new challenges, this is an adventure waiting to happen! And, although the best diving conditions are from March to November, visibility is considered good to excellent most of the year so you won’t miss out, whatever time of year you visit the island. With dive sites including coral reefs, pinnacles, patches of boulders covered with soft and hard corals and a wide variety of tropical fish life, there’s definitely plenty to see.

Those in the know say that the waters around Koh Tao are much more scenic than Samui’s, but if you’re only interested in getting certified, doing it on Samui is cheaper. Many dive operations have opened around the island. The highest concentration of dive shops is at Chaweng beach.

Although the best diving is not found immediately around Samui, there are some dive sites which are good for beginners or snorklers and are easily accessible by boat in five to twenty five minutes. These include Lamai, Chaweng and WaiKiKi Reefs and Koh Matlang. In addition, Koh Tan twenty minutes south of Samui is a great place to take the family snorkeling.

In addition, the Anthong National Marine Park, is only two hours north west of Samui and easily accessible for a day trip. The 40-plus islands, are not only beautiful from above the water with impressive land scenery, but also have a fabulous variety of corals and under water fauna, some of which is accessible to snorklers. These dive sites are renowned for their variety of soft corals, underwater caves and swim thru’s. The sea life here is also plentiful with schools of Yellowtail Barracuda, Jacks, Snapper and Sergeant Majors. Anemone fish dart around the reefs where lucky divers can see Blue-spotted Stingrays, Giant Barracuda and “Timmy” the resident Green Turtle.

Approximately thirty minutes by speed boat, Koh Tao or “turtle island”, has twenty excellent dive sites. World class diving can be found at Chumpon and the South West Pinnacles. Other dives sites which are popular include Shark Island, the exhilarating swim thru’s at Green Rock, the turtles at White Rock and Light House Bay with Koh Tao’s only accessible wreck - a newly sunk fishing boat.

Sail Rock, between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan is one of Thailand’s top dive sites. This dramatic rock juts out of the water creating a superb wall dive with a maximum depth of forty five metres. This site is famous for its chimney - descending through a tunnel ten metres long, you emerge at a depth of eighteen metres to thick schools of Trevalies, Jacks and Snappers. This is a notorious spot for the large fish hunt, attracting Sharks, Mackerels and Kingfish. There is a good chance of seeing Whales and Manta Rays.

The Amari Palm Reef Resort has it’s own dive shop, the Discovery Dive Centre. Richie, at the dive shop, can advise experienced divers about the choice of trips available. In addition, beginners can enjoy a first diving experience in the swimming pool free, to see if they like it. If so, beginners have a couple of options. Firstly, a one day introductory dive involving a speed boat excursion to Koh Tao, with two dives. This gives you a really good taste of what diving is all about. Alternatively, you can sign up for a four day PADI open water program which will earn you PADI certification. Either way, you will have an unforgettable experience taught by professionals.

For more information, visit the Discovery Dive Centre website, www.discoverydivers.com or email Richie on info@discoverydivers.com.

Discovery Divers are open form 10:00-17:00, telephone (0) 7741 3196.