Diving in Thailand with 10 year old

[orioncyg]

Yes, it is with guides. There are a couple of easy dives, but also a couple that can have current and are a little too deep. So definitely doable. But Ko Haa inmo would be a combination of a fun and safe OW dives. You can then take it from there.

Oh I see. Yeah, I wouldn't want to take my little one past, 5-6 meters, even if he could...
As I said int he OP, our only experience with diving is in Belize. We didn't go too deep (max depth was around 5-6 meters IIRC).


We might just focus on snorkeling.

 

[Christian]

Oh I see. Yeah, I wouldn't want to take my little one past, 5-6 meters, even if he could...
As I said int he OP, our only experience with diving is in Belize. We didn't go too deep (max depth was around 5-6 meters IIRC).


We might just focus on snorkeling.

I think you make the right choice. Perhaps you can see blacktip reef sharks in Phi Phi snorkeling.

 

[Centrals]

@orioncyg
Diving out from Koh Lanta, Krabi, Phuket or Koh Phi Phi is a long day trip. The only exception is Koh Lipe which is furthest south in the Kingdom with Langkawi in Malaysia only couple of hrs away by big speed boat.
Diving and snorkelling is readily available in Koh Lipe. Island hopping in Koh Lipe offers plenty of opportunity for snorkelling. Most operators with few exception will use long tail boat so crowd is not an issue.
Phuket is huge and most day boats depart from Chalong Bay. If you want to avoid wasting couple of hrs on daily transfer then pick your accommodation carefully.

 

[orioncyg]

@orioncyg
Diving out from Koh Lanta, Krabi, Phuket or Koh Phi Phi is a long day trip. The only exception is Koh Lipe which is furthest south in the Kingdom with Langkawi in Malaysia only couple of hrs away by big speed boat.
Diving and snorkelling is readily available in Koh Lipe. Island hopping in Koh Lipe offers plenty of opportunity for snorkelling. Most operators with few exception will use long tail boat so crowd is not an issue.
Phuket is huge and most day boats depart from Chalong Bay. If you want to avoid wasting couple of hrs on daily transfer then pick your accommodation carefully.

I do very much want to go to Koh Lipe. I just don't know if we'll have time in 12 days.

So far, we want to visit Phuket and surroundings (Phi Phi, Krabi, etc.). I also want to venture to Surin islands, but perhaps we don't need to do a liveaboard if we're only going to snorkel.

I feel like I may need to pick either Surin and Koh Lipe and not both.

 

[Jai Bar]

I think that if you liked the trip you mentioned to Belize and think scuba diving is for you, why not take the opportunity of being at Thailand for you and son's first scuba certification? It will be a memorable experience, and you will be allowed to dive together to a depth of 12meters.

When reaching 12, your son can do Junior Advanced OW, depth limit 20 meters which means you will be able to go on liveaboard vacations in most places all over the world, a world apart experience from daily snorkeling trips...

 

[Centrals]

@orioncyg
You can stay on Surin Island and the nearest port of entry is Khuraburi. After visiting Koh Surin, you have plenty of time left to visit Khao Sok and Khao Lak on the way back to Phuket airport.
What is the attraction of Phuket other than the tourist traps? NOTHING. I only used the airport and leave as soon as possible if time permitted.
Krabi Province is much better but do avoid Ao Nang.
Come back to Thailand when your son is 12yrs old and both of you can complete the respective diving courses together. Limitation of 12m just does not make any sense .

There is daily speed boat transfer from Phuket to Koh Lipe during the season. You can also break down the journey at Koh Phi Phi first. The speed boat from Koh Phi Phi to Lipe usually stop at Koh Lanta first.

It is possible to visit both Koh Surin and Koh Lipe within 12 days but it will be a rush involving long transfer by car/boat.