Best time of the year to dive N + S Adaman Sea....Phuket region

[ScubaLykinsDad]

Appreciate any info on best timing, water temp, 3 0r 5 mil wetsuit,,, or anyother tips...The family is planning a trip to Thailand and would like to know best time for optimum diving, fish sightings etc.....

Also any other tips for travel to Thailand...ex type of AC current and plug type, and anything you can think of

Thanks in advance!!!\

 

[Quero]

Hi SLD, and apologies for the late response. Your post was not initially in the regular discussion forum (it was in the Marketplace subforum), but I've moved it for you, so now you can expect more replies.

Briefly:
• The best time of year to dive the north Andaman Sea is in the winter and early spring. The national parks where the dive sites are located close down for the season from May 1 to Oct 31 each year and are open from November 1 to April 30. These periods correspond roughly to the monsoon seasons.
• The best way to dive the north Andaman is by liveaboard. There is a broad range of choice available. Daytrip diving is also possible, but not nearly as convenient.
• You can dive the south Andaman Sea year round, although your choice of liveaboards is much more limited, and in some areas, dive centers actually close down for the low season. Land-based daytrip diving is prevalent in this part of the Andaman.
• The water is very warm at 80-85 degrees, and most people are fine in a 3mm shorty wetsuit, while some dive in just a rashguard and board shorts.
• Electricity is 220-240 volts, and electrical outlets accept two flat prongs and sometimes two flat plus one round ground prong.
• The weather in southern Thailand (where all the diving takes place) is always hot, the food is wonderful, and the people are friendly.

 

[stevenl]

In addition, we have most sightings of sharks, seahorses, ghostpipe fish etc. in the off season, so from may till October, when there are less divers around. So the diving those months certainly has its attractions.

 

[Scuba Cat Diving]

The high season is November to May, where the Similan and Surin Marine parks are open, they close for the rest of the year. This means more variety of dives are available.
Best weather and chance to see larger things is from Jan to May, but have been spotted at other times of the year too.
The South Andaman is open all year, but we have more rain so would avoid September and maybe June for this reason.

Liveaboards are a great option if the reason for visiting is purely diving, you can get ones to both the north and south of the Andaman. But these are November to May time mostly.

Daytrips are available all year round.