Scuba diving in Pattaya is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it is something that more and more people are finding affordable to experience. The area is known for a great range of dive sites, which means a diverse diving holiday is certainly on the cards. That being said, wreck diving has proved to be big in Thailand. This is not necessarily due to the number of wrecks that are here, but more due to the fact that the wrecks on offer are quite intriguing.
Pattaya is known for being an extremely cheap place to come and visit, especially in comparison to many parts of Europe. For many holidaymakers that are interested in diving, getting certified whilst on a trip is usually the most cost-effective option. There are plenty of dive operators here offering scuba lessons for the complete beginner right through to the advanced.
When to Dive in Pattaya
Unlike many of the other dive sites throughout the world, Pattaya is an all-year-round diving destination. Of course, the time of year will affect the visibility on offer, but generally, any time of the year will be a great opportunity to hone some diving skills. Visibility is extremely high, throughout the year being 10 meters and more. Remember, Pattaya is extremely hot throughout the year and very humid, which means preparing for the weather is going to be essential to ensure that the maximum is taken from a trip here.
The Top Dive Sites Found in Pattaya
Pattaya is a place that is home to some great dive sites. Possessing these sites and being excellent value for money, means that this is quickly becoming a must-see dive destination when you visit Thailand. Of course, it is the wreck diving here that really manages to attract the attention of scuba divers who are looking for diving in Pattaya.
HTMS Khram – The shipwreck was deliberately sunk back in 2003 by the Royal Thai Navy and is now situated between Koh Phai and Koh Larn and since then it has been stripped by the Navy so that it is not just suitable, but one of the very best dive sites in the world.
Koh Krok – This is an island that is within driving distance of Pattaya, being some 6km away, and features some of the best shallow water scuba diving that Thailand has to offer, with opportunities to see the likes of the sea turtles and barracuda.
Marine Life Found in Pattaya Bay
Like many of the best dive sites in the world, Pattaya is rich when it comes to the marine life on offer to scuba divers here. On any one dive, a diver can expect to experience marine life such as butterflyfish and even angelfish, which are extremely large. Other occurrences might include the likes of turtles, coral eaters, and even jacks, so having a camera at the ready might be a good idea.
About Pattaya – What’s It All About
Pattaya has certainly been put on the worldwide map for tourism over the last decade or so. It is known by many as a place to visit for a great party but there is a lot more on offer in this beautiful place situated in Thailand. As a beach resort, it naturally attracts tourists and being just 165km from Bangkok, it offers a great chance to see some of the influential parts of the world at the same time.It has a population of around 100,000 although this is a figure that is increasing dramatically thanks to the influx in tourism and the number of ex-pats moving here, thanks to the lower cost of living.
How to Get to Pattaya
Pattaya has been commercialized over the last decade or so, which means getting here has never been as easy as it is today. There are airports dotted throughout the area, which means there are opportunities to land within a short drive of the accommodation. Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok accepts flights from around the world and is approximately 1.5 hours drive from Pattaya, which is ideal for tourists and divers. Of course, getting in and around the city is easily done via public transport, although getting to the dive sites is usually best done using local tour operators, as they know the areas well. The excursions that the tour operators provide people here are extremely cheap, especially when divers consider the relevant cost of a trip in areas such as the coastlines of Europe, which are sometimes three times the price or more.
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