Khao Lak Dive Sites
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Khao Lak is a growing resort area for scuba divers because of it's proximity to the Similan and Surin National Marine Parks. It is also possible to reach Burma dive sites from Khao Lak based liveaboards and the dives sites of Phuket, Phi Phi and Krabi are not that far away.
The Andaman Sea offers the best diving in Thailand.
The best time to dive this area is during the north east monsoon from November to April, Khao Lak largely shuts down in the May-October off season when waves make the Similan Islands unreachable by boat.
For the best chance of seeing whale sharks at Richelieu Rock dive from February to April (although they are seen at other times).
Manta Rays are most common at Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and some big boulder Similan Island dive sites such as Deep Six.
Diving can be done by daytrip dive boat or by liveaboard safari.
Khao Lak Scuba Diving Basics
| Land Temperature: | Hot and Sunny Tropical climate. Usually humid but can be cooler in the mountain areas. February to May are usually the hottest months. October is usually the wettest month. |
| Water Temp: | Average of 27°C year round though can go up to 29°C and occasionally drops to 24°C. |
| When to go: | The best diving in the Andaman Sea is between November and April. The Similan and Surin Island national marine parks officially close for the May to October rainy season when waves can make getting there a problem. The best time to see Whale sharks at Richelieu Rock is February-April although they are spotted throughout the high season. |
| Wetsuit | A 3mm shorty wetsuit is sufficient and many divers choose to dive with no wetsuit at all. |
| Visibility: | The Similan Islands has the best visibility, in excess of 40m. The Andaman Sea side of Thailand has better visibility than the gulf of Thailand. Many of the dive sites in the Andaman sea are granite islands which all have superb water clarity with very little suspended matter in the water. Dive sites close to Khao Lak beaches have less good visibility. |
| Diving types: | Reefs, wrecks, drop offs, pinnacles, caverns, walls, boulders, drift |
| Experience Level: | Beginner to experienced. There are great dive sites for learning to dive with shallow, warm and current free clear water. These sites are also great for snorkelling. Other dive sites can be deep with strong currents and only suitable for experienced divers. |
| Marine life: | The most common sharks are Leopards shark and black tip reef sharks. White tip reefs, Bamboo sharks, nurse sharks and Whalesharks. Turtles, Mantas, Stingrays, Lionfish, Scorpionfish, Jacks, Barracuda, Snapper, Seahorse, Pipefish, Frogfish... |
| After diving: | Khao Sok National Park treks, Kayak Phang Nga Bay, Rock climbing in Krabi, Shopping in Phuket |