There is a right time and the right season for everything, and that’s especially true when you’re out scuba diving. There’s generally no one right answer to this one, as it all depends on where you are, and what you intend to do on your diving trip. For now, however, let’s look into when the best time is to go scuba diving Thailand.
Thailand has a lot to offer the adventurous diver, from the Similan Islands, to the waters surrounding Koh Samui in the gulf. If you want to go scuba diving Thailand, however, you’ll not only need to know where the good spots are, but also when the best time is to make the most out of your trip. You may want to see the fabled whale sharks, so you’ll need to adjust your schedule when you’re most likely to see them, or you may be on a budget, so going to a certain spot when there are fewer tourists and the accommodations are cheaper is something you’d want.
There are a lot of factors to consider, so let’s dive into it. We’ll be listing the most popular sites to dive into individually and tell you when the most optimal time is to visit them.
1. Surin Islands
This diving spot are one of the most remote places to go to for scuba diving Thailand. This long stretch of islands located in the Thai province of Phang Nga is about 37 miles off the coast and is considered to be one of the best in the world to go diving and snorkeling. Its crystal-clear waters make it a great area to dive in, and one of the quietest, given that its distance from the mainland means that not many people visit these islands.
It has a vast reef network that has remained untouched for years, with diverse corals that make any experience scuba diving Thailand. The best time of the year to visit the Surin Islands is on February to April, when it’s almost a guarantee to meet a whale shark.
2. Phuket
Phuket is one of the southern provinces of Thailand and is the largest island in the country. There are a good number of diving spots in and around the area, most notable of which is the King Cruiser wreck, a ship that once crashed into the Anemone reef, and has provided a good spot for scuba diving Thailand. The wreck itself is about 270 feet long, and 100 feet at its widest, with both its interior and exterior providing good spots to explore.
Another great spot to dive into is the Shark Point, located on the eastern coast of Phuket. The place itself is home to many Leopard Sharks, which are generally very timid and submissive. When scuba diving in Thailand, it’s certainly a great place to explore.
Phuket is generally a good place to visit between the months of November to April, when the weather is at its calmest, and the seas aren’t too rough.
3. Koh Samui
Scuba diving Thailand wouldn’t be complete without visiting Koh Samui. Part of the Chumphon Archipelago, Koh Samui is also known for its thriving nightlife, aside from its pristine diving spots. Dive centers on the island generally take you to Koh Phangan and Kho Tao, where the overhead boat and jet ski traffic is the least troublesome.
Because of its popularity, it may not be a good idea to visit this area during the peak season of November to April. March to September is the best time to visit, as not only are there fewer tourists around, it’s also very likely to get sightings of both whale sharks and green sea turtles in the area.
4. Koh Lanta
The island of Koh Lanta is situated in Phang Nga Bay, and is known for its calmer, quieter ambience compared to its neighbors. This is where you can find two of the most famous spots for scuba diving Thailand: Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Both these spots are known for the soft coral walls and numerous other marine animals thrive here, giving divers a unique experience.
Both Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are perfect to visit between November and April, when the soft corals are at their most vibrant, and when the seas are the calmest.
