Thailand
Islands, currents and quiet coves — diving and island-hopping across Koh Lanta, the Phi Phi Islands, Koh Samui and the Similans.
Thailand is where I go for the mix of it all: proper drift diving, limestone karsts, and quiet island life in the same fortnight. I have dived and island-hopped across Koh Lanta, the Phi Phi Islands, Koh Samui and the Similan Islands, and each has its own character. The Similans are the dive headline — granite boulders, clear water and currents that carry you along the reef. Phi Phi gives you the postcard karsts and shallow coral gardens. Koh Lanta is the laid-back base, and Koh Samui the easy gateway. It is the easiest place to combine a diving week with a beach one.
A liveaboard or day-boat run to the Similans for granite boulder sites, clear water and gentle drift dives.
Shallow coral gardens and the famous limestone karsts, with a long-tail boat morning between dives.
Slow island days — Koh Lanta for the quiet base, Koh Samui for the easy access and beach afternoons.
Days 1–2
Fly into Phuket or Krabi, transfer to Koh Lanta, settle in and a first relaxed dive on a local site.
Days 3–5
Similan Islands liveaboard or day-boat runs — drift dives, granite boulders and clear blue water.
Days 6–8
Phi Phi Islands for karsts and coral gardens, then across to Koh Samui for beach days and a Gulf dive.
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