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Destinations Thailand Planning Climate and Diving conditions
Destinations Thailand Planning Climate and Diving conditions
| Climate and Diving conditions |
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Thailand has a year round tropical climate, influenced by two monsoons; the southwest and northeast monsoons. The southwest monsoon comes in at the end of May until late September, affecting mainly the southern areas, including Phuket, Phi Phi and the Similan Islands. The gulf of Thailand is not affected during this time of the year. The Northeast monsoons start mid-October and lasts only until the beginning of December, affecting mainly the Gulf of Thailand. The mainland protects the southern region of Phuket, Phi Phi and the Similan Islands during this time of the year. With no monsoon affecting Thailand at all, the period starting during mid- December until May offers the best weather all round and creates the best diving conditions in Thailand. The tropical climate offers Thailand a comfortable air temperatures of around 35 degrees, year round. During heavy rainfall and strong winds during monsoon the air temperature still hardly ever drops below 20-25 degrees Celsius, keeping the air temperature in Thailand always nice and comfortably warm. Water temperature in the Andaman Sea varies between a pleasant 26 and 29 degrees. Towards the end of the season the water is heating up more and more. However, colder currents do sometimes flow through, dropping the temperature a little and creating thermoclines. Advised dive equipment: 3mm shorty to 5 mm long wetsuit, depending on personal preference. The water temperature in the Gulf of Thailand is exceptionally warm. The temperature hardly ever drops below 29 degrees even at the deeper divesites, the water stays very warm. In the summer months of July and August water temperature rises even higher up to temperature of more than 32 degrees. Advised dive equipment: 3mm shorty or rash vest only. General Dive Advice Thailand: Best time to visit Similan Islands, Phi Ph and Koh Tao: December – May Good time to Visit Similan Islands and Phi Phi: October to May Good time to Visit Koh Tao: June to October |
