Scuba Diving the Andaman Sea
PADI Instructor Peter ‘Oz’ Osborn, owner and manager of Sea Fa Diving, has put together a great article on dive spots in the Andaman Sea.
He shares it with us here in his “Scuba Diving the Andaman Sea” guide. Thanks “Oz,” we'll catch you again at 10 fathoms!
The Stunning Andaman Sea |
The Primary Dive Sites |
What to look for in a good dive center? |
Diving at Ao Nang Beach, Krabi |
Other Activities |
About “Oz”
The Stunning Andaman Sea [Back to top]
The southwest coast of Thailand borders the Andaman Sea, renowned as one of Thailand's most beautiful coastal locations.
The area around Ao Nang in Krabi province boasts the largest number of island groups in the Kingdom, including the famous Phi Phi (pronounced Pee Pee) Island group, the location from which the movie “The Beach” was filmed.
Another island in the group is the island used as Dr. Goldfinger‘s hideaway in a James Bond film.
Indeed, the stunning vertical limestone rock outcrops, called karsts, and the beaches seen on many an advertisement for Thailand's tropical beaches, were taken here in Krabi province.
Scuba diving in the region is world famous for its clear waters and extensive marine life, including manta rays, whale sharks, the secretive reef shark and docile leopard sharks, graceful turtles, and the host of reef communities of colorful tropical fish, and hard and soft corals.
The area is also very safe as there are no aggressive 'sea monsters' in the seas around Ao Nang and the majority of the dive sites go no deeper than around 30 meters (140 feet).
The Primary Dive Sites [Back to top]
Hin Daeng/Hin Muang (Hin means “rock” in Thai, so we have Rock red and Rock purple).
These two pinnacles are the exception to the 30 meter deep rule.
Hin Daeng is Thailand’s only real deep dive site, dropping off to 60-70 meters.
Many fun divers don't go that deep, but when the visibility is good you can see the bottom anyway.
Both these dive sites have regular manta ray sightings, along with whale sharks and schools of barracuda, jacks, and fusiliers.
Phi Phi Islands.
There are a host of dive sites all around the island group.
Maximum depth is around 25 meters which makes for longer dive times and a chance to spot that leopard shark or turtle.
Koh Ha Yai.
A small group of 6 rocks one of which boasts a picture postcard beach, these islands are noted for their good underwater visibility, and a very special dive, where we surface inside a cavern called “the Cathedral.”
This is a truly inspiring dive and suitable for all levels of diver (in fact a good snorkeler could enter the cavern too!).
King Cruiser Wreck.
The wreck of the 80 meter ferry boat 'King Cruiser', which sank in 1997, along with two pinnacles in close proximity, offers the opportunity for making three dives in one day-trip.
The wreck is an older roll-on-roll-off car ferry which sits upright on the bottom at 30 meters.
Known for its resident friendly (sometimes too friendly!) turtle, lion fish and scorpion fish, this dive and its sister pinnacles offers stunning coral beds and sleeping leopard sharks.
Snorkeling.
Of course, it’s not only scuba divers who can enjoy the area's marine life.
Snorkelers also get the opportunity to observe and wonder at the marine diversity, because 90% of the dive locations are snorkel-friendly.
Since the rock outcrops have progressively deeper stepped coral beds, the shallower ones make for ideal “snorkel territory.”
Indeed, most good dive centers are very welcoming of both divers and snorkelers on their boats, especially convenient for non-diving partners and families
What to look for in a good dive center? [Back to top]
Divers the world over generally feel comfortable when they are well looked after, so check out the staff in the shop.
You will usually find that a good shop will have friendly, welcoming, and informative staff.
Beware of shops who want to just book you, without taking the time to patiently answer your questions, and make you feel comfortable.
Don't be afraid to ask to see rental equipment and to ask about insurance.
And if possible, talk to the dive guides if they are available.
They can answer questions about dive and boat procedures, and give you the low-down on the dive sites.
If you've talked with your dive guide before the day of diving, you'll feel much more relaxed on the boat.
You might want to know about the boat you'll be diving from.
Some boats are big and some are smaller but more personal, some are faster, and others are slower, but great for sun bathing.
What about the facilities aboard and safety procedures?
Will you get a boat briefing and a dive briefing before each dive?
How many divers to each dive guide?
Diving at Ao Nang Beach, Krabi [Back to top]
Ao Nang is a developing tourist destination.
The local airport is only 40 minutes away and is being upgraded to 'International' status to be able to accommodate direct flights from Europe and South East Asia.
The legendary hospitality of the Thai people, with their tolerance and happy disposition, truly makes Thailand the “Land of Smiles.”
Modern facilities are now in place and the recent development of underground facilities (electricity, water, high speed internet) and creation of beach side promenade walkways have made Ao Nang a new and modernized resort. A full range of hotels and bungalow resorts to suit all budgets are predominately situated within walking distance of the two main beach areas, where local restaurants and shops are to be found.
Dining out is very economical in Thailand and the food, especially the seafood, is fresh and sumptuous.
Other Activities [Back to top]
Along with island hopping tours, Ao Nang is also world renowned for its world class rock climbing facilities to suit climbers of all grades.
Other activities include kayaking, white water rafting, Thai cooking schools, and horseback riding.
There are plenty of tailors here too, for extremely good value.
About the writer [Back to top]
Peter ‘Oz’ Osborn is the owner and manager of Sea Fa Diving, and is a PADI certified Instructor.
Oz worked in IT Customer Services for 25 years for a large multinational company in England before changing lifestyles and setting up the Sea Fa Diving Company in 2001.
The company started the first fast dive boat operation in Ao Nang, and for the 2005/2006 season added a catamaran dive boat to its fleet.
Sea Fa provides a range of diving and snorkeling day trips, and also dive courses under the PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) certification standards.
Our philosophy is distinctly customer service oriented, and we focus on diving in small groups, and restricting the numbers of people on the boat to a comfortable number, rather than “packing 'em in.”
We also offer a resort booking service and provide pickup from the airport for all our guests.
Operating hours are from start of day until 9 pm.
Sea Fa Diving, 79/3 Moo 3, Nopparat Thara Beach, AoNang, Krabi 81000, Thailand.
Tel: (075) 637-627, Mobile: (01) 895-7095. www.seafa.com, email : peter@seafa.com