The Andaman Sea offers itself to scuba divers
of every skill level. This part of Thailand has some of the best scuba diving
destinations in the country, if not the world, among the most sought after of
which are the Red and Purple Rocks (Hin Daeng and Hin Muang dive sites), which
offer world-class dive spots that deserve to be in every diving enthusiast's
top 10 dive sites to take on. Apart from these locations, other amazing sites
to target include the Surin and Similan Islands.
October through early May or April is the
best times to visit the Andaman Sea. If you want to catch a glimpse of giant
manta rays and whale sharks, they arrive at the Similans between the months of January
and April. However, heavy rainfall usually hits in May, starting at the West
Coast. Heavy downpours usually continue until September, during which the East
of the country is a better option for diving. Here, the best diving is found in
Koh Tao, but you may want to avoid the crowds during peak months.
Thailand is known for its crystal clear
waters. The average sea temperature is a relatively comfortable 28 degrees,
which is good for most divers. Because many of the dive sites around Thailand are
considered national treasures, Thai authorities are very strict in protecting
their natural environment, particularly the coral reefs, even closing dive
sites when necessary. They have strict control over their Marine National
Parks, which is also why these places have retained their beauty and diversity
throughout the centuries.
The maximum dive depth in marine parks is
40 meters and as a rule, no diver may do more than four dives per day. Across
Thailand are a total of 26 marine parks, 16 of which can be found in the
Andaman Sea, while the remainder can be found in the Gulf of Siam.
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