Diving in Satun Province
The little-visited province of Satun, right in Thailand’s south-west corner, is a delight to explore. Recently awarded UNESCO Geo Park status, you can rest assured this off-the-beaten-track spot is well protected and the 50 or so paradise islands that make up Tarutao National Marine Park will long remain pristine. The waters here are said to be home to 25 per cent of the world’s tropical fish. Spend any time under the surface of the Andaman Sea and you may feel like you are seeing them all. Koh Lipe is the main island and most dives leave by boat from here. You could well have the waters to yourself as you explore the soft coral and huge boulders that create a diverse underwater seascape. There is even a Stone Henge, named after the ancient British site, with huge pinnacles of granite menhirs reaching up to the surface. These are some of Thailand’s most exciting and unexplored dive sites, with something for every level of diver, from beginner right through to the most experienced. You can also enjoy diving here year-round, although the high season runs from October to May, and dazzling visibility is best enjoyed off-season. With the seabed said to be the most protected in Thailand, you can be sure you will enjoy a truly unique diving experience, discovering a hidden corner of Thailand before the rest of the world.
Featured places to go in Satun Province
Koh Lipe
Aquatic Life in Satun Province
In Satun, you won’t just spot any turtles, there are three species of turtles that paddle these waters. There aren’t just leopard sharks and whale sharks, but also sperm and minke whales. Reef fish abound, you can see dugong and dolphins, a whole host of different rays and starfish, sea cucumbers and giant clams. The soft coral gardens here are a riot of colour, populated by triggerfish and puffer fish, moray eels and parrotfish. These protected waters house minute seahorses and pearlescent nudibranch, while 8 Mile Rock is where you will find the bigger barracuda, grouper and giant trevally.