Thailand is well known as a vacation spot for the nightlife and bustling streets of Bangkok where the party goes on around the clock. To retreat from the sounds of the city centre you can head for the ocean which is about seventy kilometers away. Once at the coast you can find centers offering Scuba Diving in Pattaya from its sandy beaches.
While you do not need to be an Olympic athlete to take up this sport, you do need to be medically sound. The center will ask you to complete a questionnaire as heart or breathing or ear problems will stop you participating. Pregnant women are also advised not to dive as it may harm the fetus.
Luckily most people are passed fit to dive and can at least try an introduction to the water with a qualified instructor. It is important to choose a reputable center with qualified professional instructors. Diving is not dangerous as long as you follow the safety guidelines which are laid out by diving associations.
In Pattaya you will find most centers are affiliated with PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. PADI certificates are recognized around the world and if you choose to take a course during your stay you can become a qualified Open Water Diver. This is the next step after a DSD or introductory dive. The OW course lasts for around four days so you need to make sure you have allocated enough vacation time for this.
Part of the course will be visiting the coral reefs and other pretty dive sites nearby. The "Far Islands" and the Samaesan Corals are accessible via a short boat journey and are very popular with guests. Under the water you should be able to see between five to fifteen meters around you depending on the conditions. Strong currents effect some areas so pay attention to your guide and be sure to follow any instructions to the letter.
As well as coral reefs there are 3 shipwrecks which are worth a visit. The HTMS Khram has a lot of flora and fauna even though it sunk quite recently. The wreck of the freighter Petchburi Bremen and the Hardeep, which was a cargo ship, are also very popular. The Hardeep can by dived internally from stem to stern as it sank intact.
Along with the pretty corals it is likely that you will spot barracuda and a host of other brightly colored fish. Divers who have previously dived in the Red Sea might find some of the sites disappointing and the visibility considerably less than in Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada, but for first time divers the experience will be quite stunning.
Scuba diving in Pattaya is a superb way to unwind and relax following a trip into the hustle into Bangkok. The world underneath the waves is calming and quiet. There is plenty of sealife to be seen and a host of tales to relate to family and friends on your return home.
While you do not need to be an Olympic athlete to take up this sport, you do need to be medically sound. The center will ask you to complete a questionnaire as heart or breathing or ear problems will stop you participating. Pregnant women are also advised not to dive as it may harm the fetus.
Luckily most people are passed fit to dive and can at least try an introduction to the water with a qualified instructor. It is important to choose a reputable center with qualified professional instructors. Diving is not dangerous as long as you follow the safety guidelines which are laid out by diving associations.
In Pattaya you will find most centers are affiliated with PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. PADI certificates are recognized around the world and if you choose to take a course during your stay you can become a qualified Open Water Diver. This is the next step after a DSD or introductory dive. The OW course lasts for around four days so you need to make sure you have allocated enough vacation time for this.
Part of the course will be visiting the coral reefs and other pretty dive sites nearby. The "Far Islands" and the Samaesan Corals are accessible via a short boat journey and are very popular with guests. Under the water you should be able to see between five to fifteen meters around you depending on the conditions. Strong currents effect some areas so pay attention to your guide and be sure to follow any instructions to the letter.
As well as coral reefs there are 3 shipwrecks which are worth a visit. The HTMS Khram has a lot of flora and fauna even though it sunk quite recently. The wreck of the freighter Petchburi Bremen and the Hardeep, which was a cargo ship, are also very popular. The Hardeep can by dived internally from stem to stern as it sank intact.
Along with the pretty corals it is likely that you will spot barracuda and a host of other brightly colored fish. Divers who have previously dived in the Red Sea might find some of the sites disappointing and the visibility considerably less than in Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada, but for first time divers the experience will be quite stunning.
Scuba diving in Pattaya is a superb way to unwind and relax following a trip into the hustle into Bangkok. The world underneath the waves is calming and quiet. There is plenty of sealife to be seen and a host of tales to relate to family and friends on your return home.
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