Your heart pounds in your ears as you slowly descend, breathing slowly, bubbles spiralling above your head. The temperature drops as you dip below the thermocline and near the soft sand of the ocean floor. Coral reef rises before you, a cacophony of tropical colour with gently swaying anemone and playful angelfish darting among the rocks. Suddenly, gliding into view below, a whale shark circles your group, curiously inspecting the new visitors to his ocean floor.
Krabi on the Andaman Sea offers some of the most fantastic and varied diving sites in the world, with exciting dives for both novices and experts. From wreck dives to cave explorations to glorious coral gardens, Krabi has something for every diver. Grab your fins and take advantage of these top five Krabi aquatic wonders, not to be missed!
5. King Cruiser Wreck: A metal mammoth of a wreck, the King Cruiser Ferry sunk in 1997 just beyond Krabi and Phuket (but don’t worry, no one was hurt). The propellers rest at 32 metres depth while the shallower passenger decks rise all the way to 12 metres, making the site accessible to beginners, but still offering some interesting opportunities for penetration to advanced and technical divers. Look out for barracudas skirting among the wreckage!
4. Sra Kreow Cave: The islands around Trang and Krabi are known for their stunning cave systems. Emerald Cave of Koh Moot is a fun destination for an afternoon of swimming and exploration. But technical divers should explore the legendary Sra Keow Cave, the deepest cave system in Thailand. This natural wonder has two entry points at 60 metres and descends to a depth of 240 metres. Not yet fully explored, this cave system is only for divers with technical training and experience in cave diving.
3. Koh Rok Nok: An uninhabited island just offshore from Krabi, Koh Rok Nok offers some of Thailand’s most pristine dive sites, absolutely bursting with wildlife. Among the rainbow of colourful tropical fish, keep your eyes peeled for nudibranchs, moray eels, octopus, sting rays and blacktip reef sharks. Near the eastern tip of the island, you can swim alongside some friendly green or hawksbill turtles. Shallow depths and high visibility make Koh Rok Nok and equally fulfilling spot for snorkellers.
2. PADI Dive Course: If you are new to diving, Krabi is the perfect place to earn your Open Water Diver certification at an affordable cost. Experienced divers should take advantage of Krabi by perfecting buoyancy or learning underwater photography. Some resorts even offer their own dive centres. One of the best is at Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa (sikao.anantara.com) in the quiet and beautiful area of Si Kao just south of Krabi. This kind of resort can be a great way to blend excellent diving with a relaxing holiday – adventure at sea, luxury on shore.
1. Shark Point: A dive site that earns its name, Shark Point is rocky pinnacle rising up out of the water and is home to a number of leopard and whale sharks. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean, beautifully graceful and docile, these plankton eaters can grow up to 12 metres and 20 tonnes. Bubbles scare them away, so breathe carefully and they may creep up close. Swimming beside these magnificent creatures is one of the most exhilarating diving experiences in the world!
