If you’re a scuba diving lover and preparing for a trip to Southeast Asia or the Indian Ocean. You might be confusing which destination is better for scuba diving – the Maldives or Thailand. In this article, we’ll compare these 2 popular scuba diving destinations and help you select which one is better suited for your diving preferences.
1. Marine Life
#Maldives
The Maldives is famous for its various and abundant marine life. The Maldives archipelago is home to over 1,100 species of fish and 300 species of coral, creating it one of the most biodiverse places in the world.
You can spot a type of marine species such as devilfish rays, sea turtles, whale sharks, and colorful tropical fish.
The Maldives also has some of the most pristine coral reefs globally, making it an ideal destination for aquatic photography.
#Thailand
Thailand, on the other hand, is home to a broad range of marine life, including lionfish, clownfish, moray eels, seahorses, and octopuses.
While the country’s coral reefs have mourned some harm due to breakdown and climate change, there are always plenty of amazing dive sites that deliver a unique and thrilling underwater adventure.
2. Water Temperature and Visibility
#Maldives
Water temperature and visibility are essential factors that affect the diving experience. The Maldives’ water temperature varies from 25°C to 29°C throughout the year, making it excellent for scuba diving.
The visibility in the Maldives is amazing, with an average of 30-40 meters, which permits you to see the underwater globe in all its jewel.
#Thailand
In Thailand, the water temperature changes depending on the area and time of year.
Koh Tao has a water temperature varying from 26°C to 30°C, while Phuket and Koh Phi Phi have a water temperature of around 27°C to 30°C.
The visibility in Thailand can be influenced by the monsoon seasons, but on moderate, it is around 10-20 meters.
3. Location and Accessibility
#Maldives
The Maldives is an isolated island. You can reach the Maldives by taking a direct flight from the cities worldwide to Malé Airport, the capital city.
From there, you can take a seaplane, or motorboat to your hotel, resort, or liveaboard.
#Thailand
Thailand, on the other hand, is a well-known traveler destination in Southeast Asia and is smoothly available in most countries worldwide.
You can fly straight to Bangkok or Phuket and then take a trained flight or bus to your diving destination.
4. Cost and Accommodation
#Maldives
The Maldives is understood for its luxury and exclusive resorts, making it a famous destination for honeymooners and luxury travelers.
The cost of housing in the Maldives is more elevated compared to Thailand. But you’ll get to appreciate world-class comforts, excellent services, and incredible views.
Scuba diving in the Maldives is even more costly compared to Thailand, but the rate of the experience is worth the price.
#Thailand
Thailand, on the other hand, presents a wide range of housing options, including budget-friendly guesthouses, and mid-range resorts.
While there are also high-end resorts open in Thailand, scuba diving in Thailand is generally more reasonable than in the Maldives, creating it an excellent destination for budget-mindful travelers.
5. Certification and Experience
#Maldives #Thailand
Both the Maldives and Thailand show a range of diving adventures right for beginners and shared divers. However, some dive sites in the Maldives can be challenging and require advanced certification.
In contrast, Thailand has many dive sites appropriate for beginners. The cost of getting certification is generally more inexpensive than in the Maldives.
In conclusion, both the Maldives and Thailand are excellent for scuba diving. If you want to save some money then you should go to Thailand.
Best Scuba in Thailand
Thailand is one of the most suitable places to go scuba diving. Delivering a huge selection of dive sites with a combination of marine life and stunning underwater scenery. Here are some of the top places to take into account if you’re peeking for the best scuba diving in Thailand:
Similan Islands – Thailand’s most amazing scuba diving location is the Similan Islands, which are situated in the Andaman Sea.
Divers of all capabilities will see it to be heaven because of the crystal-clear turquoise seas, coral reefs, and the prosperity of marine life. Manta rays, reef sharks, and other marine life can be seen.
Koh Tao: Also directed to as the “Turtle Island,” Koh Tao is a well-liked scuba diving spot in Thailand. There are over 70 dive spots on the island.
A type of marine life, such as deep corals, tropical fish, and sea turtles, can be caught while swimming via tunnels and digging underwater caverns.
Koh Phi Phi is a popular scuba diving location in Thailand because of its gorgeous limestone cliffs and crystal waters. Find sea fans, coral gardens, and a type of marine life, including blacktip reef sharks, as you research the underwater world near the island.
Scuba in the Maldives
The Maldives is a famous scuba diving location due to its exquisite waters and plenty of marine life. Here are some of the best places to visit in the Maldives if you’re heading scuba diving:
The North Male Atoll is home to some of the numerous well-known dive sites in the Maldives. It is only a quick distance from the capital city of Male.
Various marine life, including reef sharks, rays, and academies of tropical fish. Can be noticed when swimming via gorges and studying beautiful coral reefs.
South Ari Atoll is a must-visit place for scuba divers in the Maldives due to its surplus of whale sharks and devilfish rays. You can investigate small reefs, and experience the best scuba in the Maldives.
Vaavu Atoll: Situated in the middle of the Maldives. Vaavu Atoll is house to some of the nation’s most clean and unspoiled dive spots.
A combination of marine life, including sharks, rays can be seen while floating through tunnels and trolling underwater caverns.
Addu Atoll: The southern Maldives’ Addu Atoll is a specific location for scuba diving. Showing a breadth of dive locations to locate.
Divers can watch a sort of marine life, including turtles, sharks, and academies of barracudas while dipping along the atoll’s walls, investigating shipwrecks.
Scuba Diving Maldives Cost
Scuba diving in the Maldives is a thrilling adventure that permits you to explore the lively underwater world of the Indian Ocean. Some general info about the cost of scuba diving in the Maldives. Here are some key points to consider:
Diving Packages: The cost of scuba diving in the Maldives changes depending on the kind of package you select. Most dive camps offer a range of packages that contain multiple dives, equipment rental, boat transfers, and sometimes even lodging and dinners.
Resort Diving: If you’re visiting a resort in the Maldives, they usually have their own dive centers.
The costs for diving at these resorts tend to be higher compared to freed dive centers. Yet, the comfort of having the dive center on-site and the rate of service are often worth it.
Independent Dive Centers: There are also self-reliant dive centers in the Maldives that deliver a wide range of diving ventures.
These centers may have lower prices likened to resort dive centers while still keeping high-security standards and delivering excellent diving opportunities.
Scuba Diving in Maldives Cost is generally $70 – $80
Diving Certification: If you’re not already a certified diver, you may require to factor in the price of a diving certificate course.
Many dive centers in the Maldives deliver beginner courses, such as the Open Water Diver certification. The prices for these techniques can vary relying on the duration and the certification agency.
Liveaboard Diving: Another choice for scuba diving fans is to embark on a liveaboard diving trip.
These trips involve staying on a technical diving vessel and exploring various dive sites throughout the Maldives. Liveaboard journeys usually show multiple dives per day and deliver a unique and immersive diving adventure.
However, they can be more costly than a resort or independent dive center packages.
Scuba Diving Thailand Cost
Scuba diving in Thailand is a famous sport due to its surprising underwater terrains, diverse marine life, and reasonable prices. While the typical costs can vary relying on the location, dive center, and package you pick, here are some general facts to think about the cost of scuba diving in Thailand:
Diving Packages: Dive centers in Thailand generally show diverse diving packages to suit various preferences and skill levels.
These packages usually include multiple dives, boat transfers, and sometimes feeds.
Prices can vary from around $50 to $100 or more per dive, relying on factors such as the destination and the number of dives included.
Dive Sites: The cost of diving in Thailand can differ based on the location and popularity of the dive site. For example, destinations like Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Tao are famous for their diving spots and may have just higher costs compared to lesser-known areas.
Liveaboard Diving: Thailand also delivers liveaboard diving trips, where you stay on a boat and probe multiple dive sites over many days.
Liveaboard trips furnish an immersive diving adventure and usually include meals and lodging.
Prices for liveaboard trips can range widely counting on the duration, the vessel’s amenities, and the dive spots visited. Normally, liveaboard diving in Thailand starts from around $200 to $300 per day and can go up to several thousand dollars for extravagance options.
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