The  island of Ko Tao in Thailand is a scuba diver’s paradise. Blessed with crystal-clear waters and surrounded by colorful coral reefs, Ko Tao has plenty of opportunities for beginner divers to stick their fins in, so to speak, and enough magic to wow even experienced divers.

Ko Tao is also one of the cheapest places in the world to get your open-water dive certification.  If you want to stay dry, there are plenty of other activities available, ranging from rock climbing to just lounging on the beach. However, the real magic is in the water.

Diving at Ko Tao gives you the opportunity to encounter a variety of ocean creatures. Sea turtles, stingrays, fish and even the elusive whale shark all make their home off the cost of Ko Tao. The enormous but gentle whale shark is the prime attraction, but don’t get your heart set on seeing one-whale shark sightings are somewhat infrequent, even here.

If you want to test your luck, the best dive spot for whale sharks off Ko Tao is Chumphon Pinnacle. Even if you don’t see one of these gentle beauties, you’ll still have a wonderful time!

To learn more about the island and see pictures of what Ko Tao looks like for yourself, check out this excellent post from Wayfaring Travel Guide.

Ready to jump in? As you plan your trip, take a moment to make sure you understand Thailand’s visa system.  Americans entering Thailand don’t need a visa for stays of less than 30 days. However, if you’re taking a few months off to travel in Thailand and surrounding countries, you might want to stay more than 30 days.

In that case you can apply for a 60-day Thailand visa before you leave. To submit your application, you’ll need the following documents:

• Your US passport
• A completed Thailand visa application
• 2 passport photos
• A copy of your round-trip ticket
• A copy of a bank statement showing a balance of   $500 per person or $1000 per family.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can help you research the visa requirements for your next international trip.  Our visa specialists can also help you with the paperwork and submit your application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible service.

Traveling to Thailand?  Apply for your visa today!

Tags: Thailand, Thailand visa, tourist visa

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 11:16 pm and is filed under Destinations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.