Extending from Myanmar (Burma) down past the west coast of Thailand to beyond the Malaysian border, the Andaman Sea forms part of the Indian Ocean. Many of the 155 islands in the Andaman Sea are uninhabited and crowned by lush primary vegetation tumbling down to a shoreline punctuated by idyllic sandy beaches.

The sea has been traditionally used for fishery and transportation of goods between the coastal countries and its coral reefs. Most of the diving in this region is organized from the popular holiday island destination of Phuket, with a wide variety of operators offering recreational and technical training, day trips, and live aboard options.

The best time for diving is between October and May. Despite having been devastated by the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami, they remain popular tourist destinations. The nearby coast also has numerous marine national parks – 16 only in Thailand, and 4 of them are candidates for inclusion into UNESCO World Heritage Sites.