The Kingdom of Thailand is often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Smiles”, because you can always enjoy the gorgeous weather, the rich bounty of the warm Andaman Sea, and the great hospitality of the local people. Scuba diving is not limited to one specific area, but most of the top spots are located on the west coast. The most common routes for safari boats include the Similan Islands, including Richelieu Rock, and Burma Banks with the marvelous Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar. Liveaboard diving in this area is known for its safe and comfortable cruising and sailing environments.
What to see on Thailand liveaboard trips?
The complex ecosystem of the Similan Islands in Thailand and the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar is often referred to as the rainforest of the sea. Here you will see hard and soft corals, great variety of sea anemones. The communal structures created by polyps of hard corals produce various forms and sizes and eventually a coral reef is formed.
On the liveaboards, you will be able to encounter leopard sharks and whitetip reef sharks that are very common during the Similan trips. The safaris in Myanmar have many nurse sharks and silvertip sharks. Big schools of barracudas, turtles, blue-spotted rays, marble rays, and fantail rays can be seen at all Thailand destinations as well. If you are lucky you will even be able to see whale sharks and manta rays here, so keep your fingers crossed!
Specifics of Thailand liveaboards
The Andaman Sea is full of diverse dive sites, but Thailand has plenty of islands, so most of the beautiful places are located far from shore. When thinking of the specifics of this destination, the wisest decision you can make is to go on a liveaboard to dive in Thailand. Safari diving here has its own particular features because it is shorter than you might have thought.
The common length for Thailand liveaboard diving is 5 days/4 nights. A shorter option of 3 days/2 nights is also available, as well as extended trips for 7 days/6 nights or 8 days/7 nights. The extended trips have 15 to 26 dives, while shorter safaris provide the opportunity for 7 to 11 dives.
Dive sites
There are more than 100 dive sites in Thailand, which have something for every diver. If you prefer walls, tunnels, and sharks, then you can go to Koh Haa or Hing Muang. For more diverse types of sharks, visit the famous Shark Cave. The Phi Phi Islands are also very popular with divers who enjoy macro photography and sharks.
The Similan Islands are well-known for everything that you may want to see, from coral walls and beautiful landscapes to tiny nudibranchs and graceful manta rays. If you visit the Similans on a liveaboard, you can visit Richelieu Rock and East of Eden, which are the 2 most famous dive sites in all of Thailand.
