Thailand is famous for its gorgeous beaches, wild nightlife and amazing shopping opportunities, and has long been a prime holiday spot. The tourist season reaches its peak between November and February, which also happens to be the country’s ‘cool’ season. However, whether one visits Thailand during the height of the tourist season or during the somewhat quieter off-season, there is always plenty to do. Beaches are among the favourite places in the nation. The ribbons of white sand that separate the lush palm trees from the mesmerising blue waters are accessible throughout the year. So are a myriad of activities associated with the beaches. One will be able to find all the favourites such as wind surfing, jet skiing, para gliding, and of course, scuba diving.
The waters off the coast of Thailand are known for their marine diversity, and the country boasts numerous amazing diving spots. The Andaman Sea is warm and hospitable, and the sheer variety of aquatic fauna it contains is dizzying. There are a number of places that offer facilities for scuba diving, but choose a place that rents out underwater cameras. Renting a camera does add to the cost of the dive, but it is definitely worth it considering the kaleidoscope of life beneath the shimmering waters.
The waters surrounding Thailand feature extensive coral reefs, and they come in a variety of shapes and colours, and act as homes for many sea creatures. Of course, some types of fish are more intriguing than others. The rhinopia is a brightly coloured angler fish. The strange looking creature is quite hard to spot, which makes sighting it all the more rewarding. Octopodes are a bit more common. In fact, the playful eight legged creatures have been known to snatch cameras off unsuspecting divers. Lucky divers may also get the opportunity to see barracuda, jellyfish, and even the largest fish of all, the whale shark.
While the beaches of Samui and Phuket are obvious options, the lesser developed island of Hua Hin is a better choice. Less crowded, quieter and more peaceful, it is the ideal place for rest and relaxation. One can also find plenty of Hua Hin luxury hotels that are designed to pamper their guests, the Anantara Hua Hin, Thailand being one of them. This gem among Hua Hin hotels has a delightful spa which is sure to help guests de-stress.