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Thailand Scuba Diving: Phuket, Vacations, Scuba Divers And Gear
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Published: November 26, 2007
Scuba diving has been a popular pastime since humans have possessed the appropriate technology. The ability to explore an underwater habitat for a long period of time is a special one, and many people find it intoxicating. Despite this, it is an activity with which many people are unfamiliar, largely because of its requirements.
Nevertheless, most people can enjoy scuba diving, and many plan entire vacations around it. Numerous parts of the world are well-suited for this kind of travel, but the exotic locale of Thailand holds a special allure for scuba divers.
Phuket, in particular, boats some of the most impressive dive sites in the entire region. Phuket is not a city; it is actually the largest island on the southern end of Thailand. The west coast of the island boasts the largest selection of hotels and nightlife, though adequate tourist accommodations can be found all over the island. Phuket is easy to reach from regional cities like Bangkok and Singapore, yet still maintains its exotic flavor. A number of smaller islands can be found nearby, many of them uninhabited. The Andaman Sea is one of the top destinations for scuba diving, with clear waters and abundant marine life; the beaches on the western part of Phuket provide great access to this treasure. Diving conditions are fairly good all year round, though the peak season runs from October to May. The seasonal monsoons can occasionally wreak havoc with the tides, and safety precautions should be followed at all times while scuba diving.
Scuba diving requires not only specialized gear, it also requires specialized practice and training. It is unwise to simply put on the gear and jump in the water. Ascending from deep water too quickly can result in severe medical repercussions, and the breath and heartbeat must be controlled throughout the dive. It is also a good idea to be examined by a doctor before scuba diving. The health requirements are not stringent, but it is simply not a good idea for people with conditions like asthma to go scuba diving. In addition, scuba diving should always be done in tandem with others for safety reasons. Different environments, such as caves or shipwrecks, will require different training. Most people don't find the activity to be difficult, though, and even novices will be able to enjoy scuba diving.
Scuba diving vacations can be arranged in a number of ways. Many scuba divers opt for several days on a liveaboard, a type of tourist boat that carries passengers on multi-day diving trips. Scuba diving can also be done on a day-to-day basis while staying on land. Coastal Thailand boats a wide range of options, and not all of them are pricey. Thailand is still a popular spot for the rugged backpackers, and the country can be seen on the cheap without too much trouble. Quality classes can be found all over the island, so prior experience is not necessary before embarking on a vacation. With a little knowledge and practice, scuba diving can be an exciting way to transcend the normal habitat and live underwater for a few hours.
Sources:
"Diving Phuket." Diving.Phuket.com. 2007. 30 Oct. 2007. http://www.diving.phuket.com/phuket-diving/index.h tm.
"Scuba Diving Safety Tips." About.com. 2007. New York Times Company. 30 Oct. 2007. http://scuba.about.com/cs/safetyhealth/a/safetytip s.htm.
"Thailand Diving." Sunrise Divers. 2007. 30 Oct. 2007. http://www.sunrise-divers.com/.
Phuket, in particular, boats some of the most impressive dive sites in the entire region. Phuket is not a city; it is actually the largest island on the southern end of Thailand. The west coast of the island boasts the largest selection of hotels and nightlife, though adequate tourist accommodations can be found all over the island. Phuket is easy to reach from regional cities like Bangkok and Singapore, yet still maintains its exotic flavor. A number of smaller islands can be found nearby, many of them uninhabited. The Andaman Sea is one of the top destinations for scuba diving, with clear waters and abundant marine life; the beaches on the western part of Phuket provide great access to this treasure. Diving conditions are fairly good all year round, though the peak season runs from October to May. The seasonal monsoons can occasionally wreak havoc with the tides, and safety precautions should be followed at all times while scuba diving.
Scuba diving requires not only specialized gear, it also requires specialized practice and training. It is unwise to simply put on the gear and jump in the water. Ascending from deep water too quickly can result in severe medical repercussions, and the breath and heartbeat must be controlled throughout the dive. It is also a good idea to be examined by a doctor before scuba diving. The health requirements are not stringent, but it is simply not a good idea for people with conditions like asthma to go scuba diving. In addition, scuba diving should always be done in tandem with others for safety reasons. Different environments, such as caves or shipwrecks, will require different training. Most people don't find the activity to be difficult, though, and even novices will be able to enjoy scuba diving.
Scuba diving vacations can be arranged in a number of ways. Many scuba divers opt for several days on a liveaboard, a type of tourist boat that carries passengers on multi-day diving trips. Scuba diving can also be done on a day-to-day basis while staying on land. Coastal Thailand boats a wide range of options, and not all of them are pricey. Thailand is still a popular spot for the rugged backpackers, and the country can be seen on the cheap without too much trouble. Quality classes can be found all over the island, so prior experience is not necessary before embarking on a vacation. With a little knowledge and practice, scuba diving can be an exciting way to transcend the normal habitat and live underwater for a few hours.
Sources:
"Diving Phuket." Diving.Phuket.com. 2007. 30 Oct. 2007. http://www.diving.phuket.com/phuket-diving/index.h tm.
"Scuba Diving Safety Tips." About.com. 2007. New York Times Company. 30 Oct. 2007. http://scuba.about.com/cs/safetyhealth/a/safetytip s.htm.
"Thailand Diving." Sunrise Divers. 2007. 30 Oct. 2007. http://www.sunrise-divers.com/.
