Diving in Khao Lak

Fringed by picture-perfect beaches and kissed by the gleaming Andaman Sea, Khao Lak has earned its places as one of Thailand’s favourite beach resorts. The waters here are clear and warm, home to coral reefs and a great selection of wrecks. Khao Lak is also the jumping-off point for the Similan Islands, one of the top 10 scuba diving sites in the world and home to beautiful coral reefs as well as dramatic submerged rock formations, huge boulders and deep gorges. Here the visibility is 20 to 30m (65 – 98ft) and the best time of year to dive is between October and May. You can also strike out from Khao Lak to dive the Surin Islands, north of the Similan Islands, with live-aboard boats (there are day trips but it makes the days long) offering trips to discover some of the best coral in Thailand at Koh Torinla and your best chance of seeing whale sharks at Richelieu Rock as well as some great opportunities for underwater photography. Back in Khao Lak, you have four wreck sites to choose from, plentiful marine life and a mix of coral gardens and monoliths that puncture the underwater topography. Look closely and the macro life is quite dazzling as well.