The gulf of Thailand also has many dive sites and some of them are excellent, most notably Chumphon Pinnacle. Other dive areas include Pattaya, Koh Chang, Chumphon, Koh Samui, Koh Phang Ngan and Koh Tao. Don’t let anyone tell you that these dive sites are as good as the Andaman Sea because they just aren’t.

However they do have their plus points. Pattaya has some good wreck dive sites and offers good dives for technical divers. Koh Tao has very cheap diving and very cheap certification courses for those who don’t mind diving in big groups.

The very best dive area in all of Thailand is the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea. The best way to dive the Similans is by liveaboard dive boat departing from either Khao Lak or Phuket. Longer trips also include Richelieu Rock (best for Whale sharks) Koh Bon and Koh Tachai (best for Manta Rays).

Manta Rays are also seen at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang as well as Racha Noi.

Whale sharks are also seen at Chumphon Pinnacle and occasionally at Phi Phi. Continued >>