Final in Thailand on Koh Samui: After almost four weeks in the land of smiles, I'm setting off on my last underwater tour - and I don't want to miss the chance to see a whale shark. “Big Easy” with the Easy Divers on Koh Samui is on the program – but can you see the big fish? A small diving travel report from the large, wild island in the Gulf of Thailand. 

Koh Samui offers me a pretty damp reception - it's pouring rain and it's not getting any better at first. The journey was long and I am on my last leg: my first destination was the dream island of Koh Lipe in the very south of Thailand, then I went on the west coast to the Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock before I jetted all the way to the Gulf of Thailand to stay on the dreamy island Koh Phangan to get stuck for far more days than planned.

But as is usual in Thailand, the thick clouds quickly disappear and under the bright blue sky, Koh Samui shows its true face: hectic, spacious, but also beautiful. The traffic on the ring road that goes around the island is incredibly heavy and places literally flow into each other so that you hardly notice where one ends and the next begins. Anyone traveling on Thai roads should definitely be careful - there is danger!

Restaurants, shops, shopping centers and massage studios are lined up one after the other. And the nightlife is particularly strong in the larger towns of Chaweng, Lamai and Mae Nam with many discos, beach clubs and bars. And watching over everything is the Big Buddha, a huge, golden Buddha statue that is located on a small peninsula near Chaweng. An impressive building that is of course a tourist magnet, but was built above all in appreciation of religion - and you can definitely feel that.

But it doesn’t always have to be remote and lonely! “Koh Samui is incredibly diverse with numerous waterfalls, jungle and old fishing villages,” reports Marita Fassbender, who has lived on Koh Samui for many years and is a manager at Easy Divers Samui. “If you’re looking for relaxation, you’ll find it here too.”

I found the Easy Divers on my island tour and of course I want to dive with them. Because when I'm looking for relaxation, I prefer to find it underwater - because my motto for many years has been: "Diving is meditation!" And after my dives on Koh Phangan, I would of course also like to know what diving on Koh Samui is like.

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Deluxe day tour from Koh Samui – diving with Easy Divers

Even though my days in Thailand are coming to an end, I still want to enjoy the underwater world to the fullest. So I start with the Easy Divers, who have several bases on Samui in Chaweng and Lamai. And most importantly, they have a wonderfully spacious day boat. The Sea Star - like most day boats in Thailand - is no longer the latest model, but is certainly spacious and stylish.

I feel very comfortable on the ship right from the start - the staff and fellow divers are in a really good mood and the breakfast is also very good. This is also extremely important because on the Big Easy Tour we are on the water all day from morning to evening.

Three dives are on: Southwest Pinnacle, Shark Rock and I meet an old well-known again: Once we dive also at the Sail Rock. I hope to do that again on the last tour Sharks in Thailand get to see. I'm diving with Günter. According to his own information, the guide already has a five-digit number of dives under his belt that he has completed worldwide. And I believe this immediately:

While we are assembling the equipment, the Viennese native sees every little twisted strap and has everything in view at all times. Before we jump into the water, Günther changes our position again so that we don't have to fight so hard against the current. The Austrians call the places “diving places” in the Viennese dialect – a small addition to my vocabulary that I will also use in the future.

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Diving on Koh Samui – well-known diving site Sail Rock

Underwater, this is the picture we've seen over the last few weeks: here in the Gulf we have towering, beautifully overgrown and colorful rocks around the rocks and pinnacles, but overall there is significantly less coral than over on the Indian Ocean. There are four fish in total, although as usual the larger schools are located where there is more current. And there are numerous small animals hiding between the rocks, such as snails, many baby moray eels and crabs. Anemones with the corresponding anemonefish are ubiquitous.

The enormous number of mackerel, tuna and barracuda is always admirable. Only one thing can't be seen again: None Whale Shark far and wide. And there are none else this time either Hedge far and wide. "Do not worry," says instructor Günter, "it took a few 100 dives with me to see the first one. It's just a matter of luck! "He's right - and that's why I'm not overly sad that I did not catch anyone. Because that's reason enough to start the next big journey soon!

My final dive day with the Easy Divers is once again really good: a day trip with three dives and lots of fish, exciting dive sites, a really nice troupe and good food on the Sea Star Easy Divers. An all-round successful day!

Easy Divers Koh Samui

diving Center	Property
Address	158, 6, Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Phone	+66 86 773 9762
Website	easydivers-thailand.com
Type of dive center	PADI 5 Star Center
Vocational Training	from beginners to diving instructors
Facilities	Training center on Lamai Beach, pool for beginner divers, several Boats, 2 compressors and an air bank with 500 liters, drying room, sink, training room, lockers and lamp charging facility
Diving trips	Diving trips around Koh Samui, to Sail Rock, Koh Tao and Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
Reviews	4,8 from 5 stars at Google - 4 of 5 points at Trip Advisor

Dive into a strange world

My conclusion

After more than four weeks in Thailand, it is of course time for a short conclusion: You might think that after almost a month and almost 30 dives, that would be a good thing - but no, exactly the opposite is the case! The diving spots in Thailand are very good. I heard before my trip that Thailand lags behind the really big top spots in the world.

That may be the case when it comes to the density of large fish and the lushness of the coral gardens - and the underwater world is struggling with the consequences of fishing and overexploitation of the sea. Rare sea creatures such as sharks are often found in restaurant displays, which will make a sea lover's heart bleed every now and then. Like everywhere else, in Thailand there are people who want to protect the sea and those who exploit it.

But comparing diving destinations around the world is often like comparing apples and oranges. It starts on a small scale when the guide becomes euphoric underwater because he spots a blue spotted ray - and elsewhere in the world there are hundreds of them at every dive site. Overall, it's the diversity that matters and the overall package on a trip has to be right - above and below water - and that's absolutely true in Thailand.

Anyone who gets involved with the country, the people and the culture has another component that is crucial in addition to diving. Anyone who gets involved in the country's mentality, looks around with open eyes and enjoys the diversity will love Thailand - below and above sea level.

Have you ever been diving on Koh Samui or in Thailand in general? Share your experiences in the comments.