thailand

How to include some Diving activities with your kids on your next family vacation to Asia.

Here is A comprehensive guide for people who want to try something new and enjoy the beauty of the earth under-the-water style!

Why consider diving?

Diving is one of the best experiences that the earth struts. It supports the livelihood of the locals. At the same time, divers experience the hidden beauty of underwater wonders. Unbelievably, health benefits are associated with this exciting activity. In fact, studies resulted to a so-called Aquarium Therapy. It indicates that watching the fishes in a fish tank reduces the level of stress and anxiety. Imagine what could happen if you watch the fishes while actually being with them in a fish tank. After all, this is not impossible! All the thanks to the mother nature. She gave us an infinitely big fish tank with unfathomable beauty.

What to do before and while diving?

Safety is the number one priority. Before going under the water, you should pay attention to your dive-masters for tips and guides. Simple hand languages may be learned for communication because apparently, voices are of little use down there. Your mouth will be a little preoccupied for breathing. Make sure to double check your equipment before going; the tank and the tube are of highest importance. It has to be in a perfect condition. After safety is ensured, you are now down to the fun and best part. Enjoy the beauty. Experience the wonder.

How easy is diving?

Diving is not a hard skill to learn. A five-minute orientation just before going underwater is sufficient. Unlike in casual swimming, apparatus that will make the experience easier will be provided. Witnessing wondrous creatures and unbelievable things underwater will make it even easier. After all, if you enjoy something, the difficulty will not be a significant matter. Although there are diving spots that require training and experience, there are also a lot which doesn’t.

Where to go diving?

There are a lot of ultimate diving sites in the world. Few of these are coincidentally all found in the southeast Asia area. Hold on because I’ll be giving tips and guides for maximum experience of fun and enjoyment.
Upon going through the list, you will find 5 criteria in order to assess the diving spot in each aspect.

Criteria for Assessment:

Diving Expertise Needed – some diving spots are not recommended for first time divers; various areas may require training and experience before diving.

Travel Cost – the overall level of expenses incurred throughout the journey; from flying to swimming.

Underwater View – the overall assessment of the view; the presence of fishes, coral reefs, wrecks and other interesting stuff underwater.

Area Development Status – the level of development based on hotels, resorts, and other establishments for the service of tourists. Although, a low development status may indicate that the place’s nature is untouched, unpolluted, and less populated.

Overall Enjoyment Factor – the level of fun and excitement all throughout the experience.

#1 Sipadan, Malaysia

photo from Malaysia.travel

“An Untouched Piece of Art”, Jacques Cousteau

Sipadan is a small island which can be circled by walking in approximately 20 minutes. The island’s wildlife is amazing and the marine life is even more wonderful. It became a famous diving site because of its natural beauty with warm waters and an excellent diversity of marine animals and corals The diving experience is great. There are varieties of options that tourists can choose from. Kids may do snorkeling in the shallow waters while the adults may engage in more exciting underwater exploration. After diving, bird watching can also be done as this place is also wealthy of flying wonders.

Tips:
1. Best resorts to stay at are in Mabul or Kapalai Islands
2. Expect a lot of walks in a beautiful sandy place
3. Keep in mind that this place is mainly a diving destination
4. Barely a destination for the whole family because the facilities are lacking, but if the family are all grown-ups there shouldn’t be a problem

Ratings:
Diving Expertise Required: Medium
Travel Cost: Low
Underwater View: Medium
Area Development Status: Low
Overall Satisfaction Factor: Medium

Travel Route Series: Malaysia -> Kinabalu/Tawau -> Semporna Town -> Mabul -> Sipadan

photo from Wikitravel.org

#2 Similan Islands, Thailand

Similan Island, photo from sunrise-divers.com

A Top Diving Spot

Similan Islands are located in Thailand. They are well known for its crystal-clear water, diverse marine life, and rock formations. The island is also covered with a forest making it habitable for land wild-life. Going to the blue, one competitive edge of this area are the whale sharks who roam around the vicinity of the island during what they call Whale Sharks Season. During this time, the tourist may go diving and see the magnificently huge creatures face to face. When visiting Similan, you wouldn’t want to miss the chance of going to the Surin Islands. The place is also majestic and has a lot to offer. The route is short but can be very tricky. Asking for directions from the friendly locals can be a lot of help.

Tips:
1. Prioritize safety, locals can only provide basic first aid
2. There are no Wi-Fi connections
3. Bring enough cash for your travel, there are no ATM’s
4. Prepare for a very bumpy way, there are no roads
5. Cellular signals work on islands 4 and 8, the others are unreliable

Ratings:
Diving Expertise Required: Low
Travel Cost: Low
Underwater View: High
Area Development Status: Low
Overall Satisfaction Factor: High

Travel Route Series: Bangkok -> Ranong/Khao Lak -> Similan Islands

photo from remotelands.com

#3 Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar

photo from scuba-diversion.com

Myeik Archipelago is more popularly known as Mergui which is its colonial name. The beauty and wonder of this archipelago are unfathomable. Travelers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers journey to this wonderful place to witness its beauty first hand. Tropical jungles, white sand beaches, and colorful coral reefs merged together giving birth to this paradise. Scuba diving, snorkeling, and nature walks are just some of the activities. The competitive edge of this archipelago is the wonderful underwater view and experience.

Tips:
1. The trip can be expensive, prepare cash on hand
2. Children accommodations are common and accepted
3. There are restrictions to city boundaries, be careful
4. Finding hotel accommodations can be challenging, make sure to book in advance.
5. Prepare for lots of boat rides

Ratings:
Minimum Diving Expertise Required: Very Low
Travel Cost: Very High
Underwater View: High
Area Development Status: Low
Overall Satisfaction Factor: Medium

Travel Route Series: Myanmar -> Yangon -> Myeik

photo from scuba-diversion.com

photo from MyanmarTravelAndTours.net

#4 Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

photo from TravelTriangle.com

A Rocky Paradise

Tulamben is a tiny fishing village. The place is mostly rocks covered with a wonderful grassland. In fact, the name is a mere contraction of the word ‘batulambih’ which literally means many stones. Different colors of the rock formations make it pleasing to the eyes. The waters are clean and very blue. Snorkeling in the shallow areas may be done but the rocks may make it harder or better depending on preference. Diving in this area is absolutely wonderful. The underwater life is as colorful as a rainbow. Diversity was never compromised and it paved the way to a paradise under the water.

Tips:
1. Expect more activities other than diving
2. Expect a lot of seafood since this is a fishing village
3. Don’t miss to view the sacred volcano of Mount Agung
4. Definitely, don’t miss the Liberty Ship Wreck
5. Book an hotel in advance to save time and money.

Ratings:
Minimum Diving Expertise Required: Very Low
Travel Cost: Low
Underwater View: High
Area Development Status: Medium
Overall Satisfaction Factor: High

Travel Route Series: Indonesia -> Candi Dasa/Kuta/Padang Bai/Sanur/Ubod -> Tulamben
photo from Yusmar Yahaya

photo from Marcel Ekkel

photo from CNN.com

#5 Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, Philippines

photo from 1Planet.com

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Tubbataha is a world heritage site. Being so, the features of this area far outperforms the others. Its underwater beauty is incomparable. If there is a more extreme word for diverse, it would be appropriate to describe Tubbataha. There are thousands of species living together in harmony in this reef. The corals are only getting stronger, more colorful, and more eye-catching as time passes by. The area is protected by the local and national administration as it is considered as one of the country’s crown jewels. The friendly locals make the experience even more wonderful. They are very accommodating, kind, and approachable. Kids and adults are very welcome to experience this paradise.

Tips:
1. Be mindful of your trashes, since this is a world heritage site, locals are strict about negative left-behinds
2. Bring enough cash, there are ATM’s but they occasionally undergo maintenance. You wouldn’t want to go short on money.
3. Bring an underwater camera, this is one of the cleanest reefs so you wouldn’t want to miss capturing it
4. The Philippines are prone to typhoons, make sure to check the weather forecast before traveling. Strong winds and currents may prohibit diving activities
5. There are a lot more to experience in the area other than diving, make sure not to miss those out.

Ratings:
Minimum Diving Expertise Required: Low
Travel Cost: Low
Underwater View: Very High
Area Development Status: High
Overall Satisfaction Factor: Very High

Travel Route Series: Philippines -> Manila -> Puerto Princesa -> Tubbataha

photo from NaturalisExpedtions.com

photo from OriginalDiving.com

photo from SailDiving.com

Should your family go diving?

Definitely yes! A 3 to 4-week stay in these destinations might make you forget all your problems in life. The experience is great and your family will be able to bond at the best places. The joy of experiencing something new will leave a mark in your hearts and minds forever.
What are you waiting for? Travel now and experience the beauty of the earth under-the-water style!

Thailand offers bountiful beaches, rolling jungle, spiny mountain ranges…there’s so much to see, do (and eat) here, that families can find it hard to know where to start.

Eating is a large part of the fun, but it can appear challenging at first, as so much of the food is spicy. Note the phrase ‘mai phed’ (no spice) for eats without the heat. While adventurous older kids might be excited to chow down on deep fried bugs, there are gentler options too, such as mango with sticky rice (served as a dessert or light lunch), noodles, and super-crispy spring rolls filled with meat and/or fresh crispy vegetables. Children are warmly welcomed at Thai restaurants, making dining out relatively stress free. Follow our itinerary for eating your way around Thailand with kids but be warned, you’ll probably want to come back and visit all the places you missed the first time.

Day 1-3: Bangkok

Crazy, colorful and chaotic, Bangkok is perhaps better known as a destination for thrill-seeking adults than for its child-friendly activities, but family trips to Bangkok can be surprisingly rewarding. There are theme parks, oceanariums and playgrounds galore, so set aside at least three days to fit in a couple of big ticket attractions. All that noise can be a little draining, however, and street food can be hard on delicate little tums, so take the stress out of mealtimes by visiting an ‘all under one roof’ spot such as Helix – the ultra-modern food hall at EmQuartier mall. There are some 50 restaurants here, serving everything from spring rolls to American-style burgers, and it’s easy to push a stroller from one spot to another.

For something a little more ‘local’ grownups shouldn’t shy away from sampling the street food that is available across the city. Check out the Old Town (or Banglamphu) for Khao gang (curry rice), which is popular fuel at breakfast and lunch, and sees a variety of veggie and meaty curries piled onto a plate of rice, and typically costs the equivalent of under $1.

Tip: Foodie visitors in Bangkok should also be sure to check out the famous Chinatown (Yaowarat). There’s a Chinese flavor to much of Bangkok’s dishes, and this vast Chinatown is said to have kickstrted the famous street food scene.

Day 3-7 Chiang Mai

All aboard the sleeper train! The overnight rail journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a fun one, and kids tend to enjoy being tucked into comfy bunks for the trip (book first class rooms to up the comfort level if the budget will stretch). There’s a whole host of activities on offer for foodie families in Chiang Mai, and kid-friendly food is both easy to come by and highly affordable. As is so often the case in Thailand, food courts cater to every taste, and families should also check out the handful of cafes with play areas, such as the German-run Nic’s, which has trampolines for the kids and gin cocktails for mom and Dad. At Cooking Love in the center of town, kids can watch the dishes being prepared in front of their eyes, and it costs less than $4 for a family to tuck into child-friendly mild chicken and mango curries, washed down with coconut water.

Tip: Families in Chaing Mai can learn to whip up traditional Thai dishes such as Pad Thai, with kid-friendly classes organised by Asia Scenic, close to the center of town.

Day 8-11: Pai

It’s a bumpy-yet-fun 3.5 hour mini-bus ride along mountain roads to the welcoming ‘hippy’ community of Pai. There’s a big vegan community here, so travelers in Pai with kids can recharge the batteries with super-fresh dishes whipped up with the abundant local fruit and vegetables – kids will enjoy the juices that are available for well under a dollar, and there are several informal cooking schools here too. By night, Pai’s famous ‘Walking Street’ fill up with vendors, and it’s fun and safe to stroll around, checking out the various treats: try the sugary grilled bananas as a kid-friendly alternative to the meat and seafood on a stick.

Day 12-16: Golden Triangle

Head back to Chiang Mae and either overnight or take the 4-hour minibus ride (or an organised tour if budget allows) up to Chiang Rai, the river city at the edge of the Golden Triangle – so called because it is the point at which Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. It’s known for its breathtaking scenery, elephant sanctuaries and endless rice paddies, and visitors to the Golden Triangle with kids can fuel cycling or hiking adventures with treats such as dim sum, grilled chicken, fresh smoothies or miang kham tea leaves stuffed with shredded coconut, peanuts and ginger.

? Box out: The Saturday and Sunday Walking Street Markets are popular with locals and visitors alike, and see vendors selling everything from backpacker-chic clothing to snacks (yes, there are crispy bugs to try, should you fancy it).

Day 17-20 Ayutthaya

Back down to Chiang Mai, then board an overnight train to Ayutthaya – sleepers are available for less than $20 p/p, VIP cabins slightly more, but turn up early as tickets sell out. Kids can rampage around the ruins of this ancient city, see temples galore, and for around $10 families in Ayutthaya with kids can feast on absolutely delicious freshwater prawns, sprinkled with salt and cooked over hot coals and enjoyed on the deck of floating restaurants. There are a handful of good hotels and guest houses here, and it’s well worth spending a few days to get a feel for the history of the place.

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Day 21-22 Bangkok

It’s around 90 minutes’ bus ride back to the capital, where families in Thailand might want to overnight before heading in the direction of Thailand’s magnificent island beaches. Check out food malls for easy eats that won’t upset the stomach before the journey.

Day 23-29 Phuket

After all that exploring, foodie families will likely be ready for some time chilling on Thailand’s famous island beaches. Phuket is one of the best spots for families, and is easily reached by plane – several operators ply the 80-minute route from Bangkok, with flights costing as little as $50. Treat this as a vacation in itself, and settle in for a week of swimming, snorkeling, theme parks, water parks, and an abundance of playgrounds both natural (all that jungle) and manmade (this is a very kid-friendly spot). Many hotels here offer international dishes, and burgers, pasta and pizza are all easy to come by, but for a real taste of Phuket that will linger long in the taste buds, try the sizzling wares cooked up by the street food vendors. As well as Thai dishes, you’ll find Malaysian, Chinese and Indian dishes on offer.

? Box out:

Going Bananas: Bananas grow in abundance in Phuket, and they make their way into many a street treat. Banana pancakes are cooked on a hot plate, drizzled with condensed milk and cut into stacked wedges; deep fried banana on sticks is a sweet delight, and it’s whizzed into smoothies.

Day 30: Back to Bangkok and it’s bye bye Thailand – for now!

Family-Friendly Diving Activities in SE Asia