Did you know that up to 71% of our planet is made up of water? That means there are a lot more mysteries- and therefore adventures- that lie underneath the surface than on it. One great place to deep dive into this exciting and often hidden paradise is Thailand’s Andaman Sea. With rich corals having taken root, these waters are home to some of the most expansive biodiversity known to man. You can brush shoulders with all sorts of sea dwellers, both small and mighty, some with interesting creature powers that have inspired science. But that’s a topic for another day. Today, we explore the exciting marine adventures in Andaman. Are you ready? Put your goggles on!

Turtle Bay at Havelock Island – A day in the life of a turtle

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know what adventures lie here. Turtle Bay has proved a haven for turtles over the decades, registering a growing population of 4 four different species of sea turtles alongside an abundance of:

• Clownfish
• Green Jobfish
• Rays and so much more

Turtles often live a mysterious life, more so when they’re young. This is your chance to get a peek into their everyday lives while also enjoying the scenic views of corals from underneath.

Are you just a beginner who’s more comfortable in shallow waters?  With less than 14 meters of sea depth, this a great place to whet your appetite for Andaman water sports as a newbie just trying to dip his toes in the waters, so to speak.

Elephant Beach – Ride into the sunset with a new bestie

Yes, Elephant Beach is named after the largest land mammal on the planet. And yes you can ride one if you so wish. Riding an elephant across the shore to a magical sunset certainly makes for photogenic moments. But that’s not even the best part of Elephant Beach. Its greatest treasures perhaps lie well below sea level.

The beach is also home to dolphins, which, alongside sea lions, are often referred to as the dogs of the sea. This is your chance to make a playful new pal with a strong sense of adventure.

So clear that you can vividly see the fish swirling around your feet, Elephant Beach is also ideal for beginners with depths that start as shallow as 1 meter.  While there’s still quite a lot of activity at this depth, you stand to spot even more colorful schools of fish deeper still.

Similan Islands- catch up with curious cephalopods

Is that all we’ve got do you say? For deep-pocket divers who truly mean business, the jaw-dropping islands of Similan are the place to be and the same goes for Surin. Its rich marine life is famous far and wide, and so are its white beaches and transparent waters.

Counting as one of the best diving sites on the planet, you can jump off the shores to bask in the stunning beauty and grace of cephalopods such as:

• Pharaoh cuttlefish
• Squids
• Reef octopus

If lady luck shines on you, you might just catch a glimpse of a paper nautilus or argonaut. For the uninitiated, this is an extraordinary type of octopus that’s known – or rather unknown- for its very secretive lifestyle. It hides among crevices and holes and is a delightfully absurd creature. This could be your chance to figure out just what it’s up to.

Corbyn’s Beach – Your dose of fast and furious

Jet skiing, speed boat riding, scuba diving, parasailing, and surfing. You can do it all and then some at Corbyn’s Cove Beach, where every day is like waking up to a fairy tale. With coconut palm trees earmarking the periphery, it’s a great place to kill some hours by the beach and in the water.

The great thing about Corbyn’s Beach is that it’s an all-year-round destination. Whether you visit in summer or winter, there’s always something fun and exciting to do. One of which is snorkeling around Snake Island, which offers massive corals that can go down to as much as 40 meters. In terms of what you’ll see here, brace yourself for:

• Sea urchins
• Jellyfish
• Sharks
• Sea cucumbers

If you’re lucky, you might even spot the critically endangered sea cow. When visiting Corbyn’s Cove purely for diving pleasure, you might want to visit between November and May.

For a more exhilarating experience, you can also try your hand at a seakart adventure in Andaman. It’s a much better way to explore marine life if you’re not comfortable maneuvering around the creatures of the deep so up close. You can take up the option to get behind the wheel yourself and satisfy your thrill for top speeds with the sea breeze in your hair and the expansive blue ocean in your sights.

North Bay Island – Make a splash with stingrays

Besides snorkeling and diving, North Bay Island is also famous for its hair-raising water sports offerings. In particular, it is a paradise for parasailing in Andaman. With minimal waves/winds and clear skies, parasailing is certainly a more exciting way to explore the marine life that lays quite literally right under your feet.

Still, nothing can hold a candle to the intimacy that a deep-water dive provides. At North Bay Island, you can explore one of Andaman’s oldest coral formations. The seabed makes for particularly enthralling viewing, as you’re likely to spot the following creatures busy at work:

• Blue-spotted stingrays
• Pufferfish
• Batfish
• Dolphins and much more

With an instructor to hold your hand, figuratively or literally when need be, you can dive to depths of 7 meters or more if you’re feeling extra adventurous.

The Andaman is a snorkeler’s dream come true

Coral reefs that have aged gracefully like fine wine over centuries have seen to it that Andaman boasts rife conditions and the foundation for a thriving underwater ecosystem. From spider crabs to whale sharks and many other strange, majestic, and exciting creatures in between, Andaman offers lots of promise for scuba divers, snorkelers, and lovers of water sports. If you require the assistance of a travel agent to make your next Andaman adventure more effortless and memorable, check out the Akshaya India website today.