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South Thailand & Myanmar
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Nurse shark (Marcel Widmer) |
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At a Glance
Distance from the Equator: The Similan Islands are 8o39' North
Diving Season: October-May
Highlights: Whale Sharks, Giant Mantas, Leopard Sharks, Richelieu Rock, beautiful beaches, frontier diving in Myanmar
Thailand Resorts >>>
Thailand & Myanmar Liveaboards >>>
The coast of Thailand is home to numerous islands, often famous for their partying and diving alike. Thailand is also a favourite for people learning to dive, with many PADI dive schools and good value dive courses. However, away from the crowds there are some exceptional dive spots, and to get the most from them you will need to join a liveaboard or stay on one of Thailand's West Coast islands. Your destination is the Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock and the twin sea mounts of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang in Thai waters and for those who want to venture further, there is the option to continue North to Myanmar’s virgin reefs at the Mergui Archipelago and Burma Banks.
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Whitetip Reef shark (Marcel Widmer)
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Underwater the Thai Islands have exceptional fish life, stunning soft and hard corals, an exciting underwater topography of caverns and arches and big fish highlights including huge Giant Mantas (not to be confused with smaller, more common Reef Mantas), Leopard Sharks (Zebra Sharks), Whale Sharks, Barracuda, Tuna and Trevally. Richelieu Rock, in particular, is a world hot spot for Whale Shark encounters. The Hin Daeng and Hin Muang seamounts are famous for their stunning red and purple soft corals as well as frequent visits from Giant Mantas and Whale Sharks. Above water the Thai islands are equally stunning with tropical jungle interiors surrounded by white sand beaches.
The Thailand Aggressor and MV Nautica liveaboards visit the Surin Islands, Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang and the Phi Phi Islands on 6 and 7 night dive safaris. If you prefer a resort, Pimalai Resort and Spa on Koh Lanta makes the perfect base for visiting Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.
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Topside scenery in the Similan islands (Mike Wivell)
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The Mergui Archipelago and Burma Banks offers frontier diving on it’s rarely visited, remote reefs and sea-mounts. Highlights in Myanmar include both macro and big fish, including Nurse sharks and Blacktip reef sharks. One of Myanmar's most famous dive sites is Black Rock, a dive where you can enjoy schools of pelagic fish in the currents and a great selection of nudibranchs in the shallows. Black Rock has dramatic drop offs to depths of up to 60m and is considered to be one of the best sites in Myanmar, and a great adrenaline dive. Other dive sites in Myanmar include Western Rocky and Three Islets where one can find mating Octopus and Pharaoh cuttlefish, and a selection of macro critters including Tiger-tail seahorses and Ghost pipefish.
The MV Nautica liveaboard visits the Mergui Archipelago including dives at Black Rock on a 7 night dive safari which also visits Richelieu Rock.
Thailand Resorts >>>
Thailand & Myanmar Liveaboards >>>
To arrange your diving holiday to South Thailand & Myanmar call us on 0161 442 7703 or email us at info@equatordiving.com
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Similan's Sunset (Marcel Widmer) |
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Spotted Moray (Andrew Lioe)
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Frogfish (Marcel Widmer)
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Green turtle (Marcel Widmer)
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Beautiful bay in the Similan Islands
(Mike Wivell)
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Whale shark with Remora
(Marcel Widmer)
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Moray eel with shrimp
(Marcel Widmer)
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Frogfish (Marcel Widmer)
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Grand Palace in Bangkok (Ben Jackson)
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Grand Palace in Bangkok (Ben Jackson)
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