Where to retire in Thailand and Dive?

[Skulmoski]

Where would you recommend I retire to dive in Thailand. I will retire in a few years and I am considering purchasing property. I have only dived in Koh Tao so I am not widely traveled in Thailand. Where is a dive friendly retirement community?

Thanks for your advice.

GJS

 

[flyboy08]

FYI..4M Baht = $115,473 US$

 

[stevenl]

Best diving is at the Andaman side of Thailand, with from Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi and to a lesser extend Lanta year round diving. Have a look at those areas, depending on how you want to live and what kind of environment and amenities you like.

 

[lord khram]

Where would you recommend I retire to dive in Thailand. I will retire in a few years and I am considering purchasing property. I have only dived in Koh Tao so I am not widely traveled in Thailand. Where is a dive friendly retirement community?

Thanks for your advice.

GJS

If you are a serious diver and are set on Thailand as the destination for your retirement. Without question the Andaman (West) coast offers by far the best Thailand has to offer.

 

[Bubble Junky]

I would say Koh Lanta. It's my favourite Thai island, and the diving is good. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are inaccessible for a few months of the year, but dive centres still head to Phi Phi for diving at that time.

 

[Wingy]

I lived in Krabi many many years er decades ago - I still love the place even though it has developed rapidly - Ao Nang has kept its laid back vibe as much as anyplace can in 30 years. Handy to dive the usual suspect spots.

 

[decompression]

I really liked Koh Lak, smaller and laid back, access to day dives and similan live aboards. Great restaurants and little shops.

 

[stevenl]

I really liked Koh Lak, smaller and laid back, access to day dives and similan live aboards. Great restaurants and little shops.

Yes, Khao Lak is nice, but dont forget that there is no diving at all 1/2 the year and the place is almost dead that 1/2 year.

 

[red_barbarian]

OP you will need to describe what else is important to you besides just quality of diving. How often would you like to actually dive? Are you on a budget or can you afford anything? What kind of visa are you thinking about? Do you prefer a city environment or more rural? How much hassle are you willing to put up with over visa runs/90 day reporting? Do you care if you are around an ex-pat community if so is there a particular Nationality group you would prefer to be around, etc.

 

[wedivebc]

I really liked Koh Lak, smaller and laid back, access to day dives and similan live aboards. Great restaurants and little shops.

A mutual friend of ours and I were there in 2005 just months after the tsunami. The diving in the Similans was great. R. was sunbathing on the beach one morning and someone came up to her and said if you knew what was under that sand you would not be so happy sunbathing. It had a very sad vibe to it that year. I intend to go back though and I am glad it has bounced back from that horrible event.