RD027 REGAL BRO-09 P72-99 AW 6/8/08 12:24 Page 74
THAILAND
REGALDIVE
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Diving in Thailand
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Thailand
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Dive with sharks in the
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g86g73g69g84g78g65g77 sparkling Andaman Sea
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Many of the best diving opportunities in Thailand
are found in the Andaman Sea, northwest of
Phuket Island. This is some of the best diving in
Southeast Asia, with dramatic underwater
topography and an amazing abundance of
marine life. The big draw here is the presence of
pelagic species. In Thailand, expert and novice
divers alike have the chance to dive with whale
sharks, leopard sharks and giant mantas.
DIVE THE SIMILAN ISLANDS
With snow-white beaches set against picturesque
granite outcrops above the water, and spectacular
dive sites in crystal clear water below, it is not
surprising that the Similan Islands are ranked as
one of the finest dive destinations in the world. The
best way to reach these rugged and beautiful
islands, and savour the remoteness of this unique
marine park location, is by liveaboard from Phuket.
Accessible only from October to May, the
Similans boast over 500 species of thriving soft
and hard corals set in a dramatic underwater
landscape of gullies, caves and granite boulders.
Leopard sharks and guitar rays are often spotted
close to the seabed, whilst large schools of
oriental sweet lips and yellow snapper patrol the
reefs. The abundance of marine life, combined
with the renowned underwater visibility, makes
the Similans ideal for underwater photographers.
DIVE THE SURIN REGION
The Surin region is also reached by liveaboard and
covers 140 square miles of reefs, including the two
main Surin islands. The underwater terrain is varied
with fringing reefs, coral gardens and boulder
formations. Koh Bon and Koh Tachai are two reefs
located between the Surins and the Similans. Here,
vertical walls are covered in large sea fans, and
manta rays and leopard sharks cruise by.
Lying to the east of the Surin islands, Richelieu
Rock is an isolated limestone pinnacle. It is well
OTHER HOTELS
known as one of the best dive sites worldwide for
spotting whale sharks and manta rays, during & LIVEABOARDS
February and March.
Schools of blue-spotted stingray are sometimes
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seen alongside large schools of batfish,
barracuda, snapper and cobia. Large solitary
potato cod and impressive marble rays circle the
pinnacle, which is home to over 200 species of
hard coral. Staying in Thailand
DIVING FROM PHUKET
Day boats operate year round in the waters
The beautiful weather, beaches, cultural sites,
southeast of Phuket, visiting less remote but
and renowned hospitality of the Thai people
equally beautiful dive sites. The dramatically
makes Thailand a first-rate holiday destination.
beautiful seas around Ko Phi Phi provide a range of
Club Bamboo is situated a short distance from
excellent dive sites, that mark out Phuket as an
the Scuba Cat dive centre in Patong. The
excellent base for a land based diving holiday. Koh
curved sandy bay offers a wide range of
Dok Mai is a vertical wall plunging to 30m, covered
watersports and activities during the day as
in colourful crinoids. Another popular site, Shark
well as a variety of nightlife.
Point, is named after the inhabitant leopard sharks.
It is possible to extend your diving holiday to
Anemone Reef is one of the most popular day
take in the other cultural aspects of this beautiful
trips from Phuket. This dramatic drop off has been
country. Regaldive can organise twin centre
awarded official marine sanctuary status and
stays between Phuket, Krabi’s Ao Nang
offers fabulous diving. This is also the location of
and Bangkok, and combine liveaboards with
the King Cruiser, the impressive wreck of an 86m
hotel stays.
ferry that sank in 1997.
74 q www.regaldive.co.uk
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