Thailand's Crystal Sea, Diving Information in Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand, often known as the "Land of Smiles" is also a land of fabulous diversity, and nowhere is this more evident than in its crystal seas. With 2,600 kilometers of coastline and hundreds of idyllic islands, Thailand's waters harbor a mesmerizing menagerie of life, from vast coral reefs, to shoals of brilliantly colored fish, to such breathtaking and exotic visitors as manta rays, turtles, sharks and dolphins.

The seas around Thailand are unusually calm and clear, and at a temperature of around 28 degrees, perfect habitat for more than 200 spies of coral and the tens of thousands of different types of organism they support. But a large part of the reason for Thailand's marine bio-diversity lies in the fact it comprises two distinct ecosystems.

To the west is the Andaman Sea, part of the Indian Ocean, home to the internationally-renowned resorts of Phuket and Phi Phi and the world-class diving sites of the Similan and Surin islands. To the east stretches the Gulf of Thailand, famed for its laid-back diving havens of Koh Samui and Koh Tao, and biggest marine national park of the region, Mu Koh Ang Thong, One benefit of these two systems is that together, unlike other tropical locations, they offer ideal snorkeling and diving conditions all year round.

The Gulf of Thailand is perfect between May and September, with the Andaman clearest between October and April. As well as Thailand offers laid-back beach life on golden, palm-fringed shores, all the sports and leisure activities you could desire and a famously friendly and welcoming people. It's no wonder that every year more and more visitors come back to marvel at the Land of Smiles.

Marine Eco-Tourism
Thailand has responded vigorously to the pressures tourism places on its rich natural heritage, establishing 18 marine national parks in the last 30 years - as well as more than 70 terrestrial ones. Eco tourism is a fast-growing market and promises to have a positive effect on Thailand's environment, adding economic incentives to preserve Thailand's natural treasures, and reminding us all of our responsibilities towards nature.

Many of the activities available on and around Thailand's crystal seas are environmentally sound. Sea canoeing, windsurfing, biking, walking, swimming, snorkeling and sailing are, when practiced as they should be, perfectly respectful of nature. Diving, the most popular water sport in Thailand, can be just as green.

It goes without saying that quality travelers do not litter or pollute the sea and beaches, or take part in activities they believe to be harmful to the country or its peoples. Equally, it is bad for the environment and can be dangerous to injure or to try to take plants, animals or pieces of Thailand's historical monuments as souvenirs.

Most diving schools in Thailand are highly environmentally sensitive. Dive boats should not anchor over coral reefs, and when diving, please do not touch or stand on corals, as this kills them. Touching fish can do the same. Try to dissuade other people from doing so.

By taking these simple steps you ensure that Thailand's seas will be enjoyed as much by future generations as they are today.

Activities on Thailand's Crystal Seas
With thousands of miles of coastline, hundreds of islands, brilliant marine life and breathtaking natural beauty, it's no wonder that most visitors to Thailand, at least for part of their stay, head for the sea.

While you certainly deserve to take the time out just to lay back and relax, to see some of the country's heritage and culture and to shop, why not also take the chance to participate in some more active pursuits? All kinds of water sports and seaside activities, from the relaxing to the highly challenging, are readily available on and around Thailand's crystal seas.

Whatever your favourite sport, you will find it here, but also many activities that are new and exotic. From sea canoeing to diving, trekking to sailing and the extreme sport of wakeboarding, Thailand has got it all. Take part in these activities, and on top of everything else you get from a visit to the kingdom, you'll arrive home fitter in body and mind than before.

Diving -the most popular water sport

Scuba diving is Thailand's most popular water sport, and it's an experience you cannot forget. With magical apparatus allowing you to breathe underwater, a whole new universe opens up to you. Some of the most extravagantly beautiful creatures in creation await you in this weightless, watery world. Explore brilliantly-colored coral reefs and be dazzled by fish of a thousand hues. Expect close encounters within giant barracuda, manta rays, sea cows and even sharks!

Thailand is the central focus of scuba diving in Southeast Asia. Thousands of people learn to dive in Thailand every year and become avid divers for life. There are world-class locations for every level of expertise and scores of professional. Well-established dive shops are located all over the southern peninsula. Diving in Thailand is competitively priced, and one you have achieved your certification in Thailand, you can use it to go scuba diving all over the world.

Diving is available at all times of the year, although visibility changes according to the season. In the Andaman Sea the best time to dive is from October to April and in the Gulf of Thailand from May to September - in other words, first-class diving all year round!

All reputable dive shops are affiliated with PADI or other international dive bodies, and most hold courses in multiple languages. All over Thailand, you can expect modern amenities, international standard boats and professional facilities.

Sea conoeing - an eco-tourist activity par excellence

Sea canoeing is the eco-tourist activity par excellence, and proves the benefit of the natural approach. The quiet of this mode of tourism heightens your sense of awareness, and wildlife is not scared by your silent approach. All of nature's beauty is there before you when there is only the sound of the wind, the dip of your oars in the water, and the lapping of waves against your boat.

Some of the most fantastic natural wonders of Thailand are only available by sea-canoe. Take the limestone cliffs and caves around Phuket and Phang Nga for example. From the dazzling sunshine and blue sky of the open sea, you spot a tidal cavern, stalactites reaching down around the entrance. You emerge from the darkness into a lost world, a secret cove, with weird limestone walls overflowing with vegetation, and exotic creatures of every kind.

Windsurfing - a non polluting exotic sport

Leaning back into the wind, skimming over the waves, emerald islands in the distance against a blue, blue sky. It's an exotic sport alright. Wind-surfing is not only exhilarating and an excellent way to get fit, it is also quiet, non-polluting and environmentally friendly. Of course, it's not the kind of thing you can just get up and do - it requires some learning. But you can learn to windsurf all over Thailand's coast, and your patience in learning will be more than repaid when you take off on the breeze. Once you have mastered the basics, you'll find boards and sails available everywhere.

Wakeboarding - an exciting extreme sport
The extreme sport of wakeboarding, a cross between water-skiing and snowboarding, is about speed, color and adrenaline. You are strapped into a double-ended surfboard, and towed at 30 kilometers per hour behind a speedboat specially weighted to make a large wake behind it. The wake boarder cuts in and out of the wake, using the waves to jump, turn, spin and somersault. Wakeboarding is high velocity excitement, and great fun to watch. The sport is practiced on the major beaches of Samui, Phuket and Pattaya.

Swimming & snorkeling - perfect fun for all

Sandy beaches, warm clear water and mild currents make Thailand a swimmer's paradise. Not only is it completely free and gives you a great workout, swimming is 100 percent environmentally friendly. Almost anywhere where there are beach suitable for swimming there are also masks, snorkels and flippers you can rent or borrow.

Many of Thailand's coral reefs, tropical fish and other marine life live in shallow water near to the shore, and are accessible for snorkeling, or take your mask and flippers out with a diving expedition.

Jet skiing - for the high speed fun
Driving a jet ski couldn't be more easy; just power on and take off! After that it is all high-speed fun, roaring around the spectacular bays, turning on a dime, getting thrown off and climbing back on to do it all over again. As well as easy and exhilarating, jet skiing is also safe. There are skis for hire on the main beach of Samui, Phuket, Pattaya and others.

Sailing - a perfect way to explore the seas

Sailing is a timeless pleasure; the wind in your sails and your yacht slicing through the glittering waves, the sea and the sky all around you. Sailing is its own reward, but it is also the perfect way to explore the treasures of Thailand's crystal seas. Moreover it is ecologically green and clean too. A sailing trip can be as relaxing or demanding as you want; you can charter a crewed yacht and sit back as you sail away to a tropical island paradise, perhaps trailing a fishing line behind you as you go. Or you can take charge of a bareboat yacht and enjoy the challenge of sailing it yourself.

Trekking & nature study leisure way to explore the bay

If you think that trekking is something only practiced in the mountainous north of Thailand, think again. There are seven National Marine Parks protecting Thailand's crystal seas, and all of them include land area.

There are also many more terrestrial national parks and nature reserves dotting Thailand's coast and southern peninsula. On foot or perhaps on a mountain bike, you can explore deserted bay and beaches, travel through wild jungle trails and discover secret lagoons, Monkeys, leopards, bears, wild elephants and eagles are just some of the creatures you may surprise.

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