Diving in Koh Samui, dancing with manta rays!

You might not believe it! I, someone who can only "dog paddle" when swimming, actually completed my first-ever dive in Koh Samui! When clownfish slipped through my fingers and manta rays glided overhead like giant kites—I instantly understood why people say "the underwater world is another planet." Today, I’m sharing this complete diving guide that even beginners can master! --- 🤿 Must-Know Before Diving · Real Experience Report 📍 Best Season: June to October (water visibility over 30 meters!) 👗 Clothing Advice: Rash guards are more practical than bikinis (sun protection + scratch prevention) 💰 Best Value: Koh Tao one-day diving trip (about 1200 RMB for 2 dives, including hotel pickup and lunch) 🌴 Four Top Dive Sites Tested and Rated 1️⃣ Sail Rock 🪸 | King-Level Scenery ► Sightings: Whale sharks / eagle rays / storm of sea wolves (seasonal) ► Suitable for: Certified divers ► Stunning Scene: Rising from the deep blue, sunlight piercing the water like holy light 2️⃣ Chumphon Pinnacle 🌟 | Coral Garden ► Underwater waterfall illusion (sand slope creates a visual trick!) ► My highlight: Surrounded by thousands of golden snapper fish 3️⃣ White Rock 🤿 | Beginner-Friendly Zone ► 15-meter shallow practice area ► Fairy tale world: Nemo’s family hiding in rose coral clusters 4️⃣ Southwest Pinnacle 🐢 | Home of the Turtle Prime Minister ► Resident green sea turtle community (closest distance 1 meter!) ► Hidden gem: Night diving to see glowing plankton --- 📝 Beginner Pitfall Avoidance Guide ✅ Buy a waterproof phone pouch online in advance (200 baht each at the pier) ✅ No flying within 18 hours after diving (don’t book red-eye flights!) ✅ Biting the snorkel is tiring; slow nasal breathing is the correct technique ✅ Choose coral-friendly sunscreen (regular sunscreen kills coral) 🦞 Diver’s Exclusive Food Map ► Chaweng Beach "Crab Samui" | Diver instructor’s secret spot 🔸 Must-try: Black pepper fried crab + coconut smoothie (about 400 baht per person) ► Fisherman’s Village Night Market, Fridays only | Fresh sea urchin 🔸 Tip: Eat raw with lime juice, so fresh it’ll make your pupils quake! 📸 Photo Tips ✨ Renting a GoPro is cheaper than buying (250 baht/day at the pier shop) ✨ 3 PM underwater light is the most dreamy ✨ Wear bright-colored fins to make your legs look longer (a secret from the instructor) --- 💡 Heartwarming Moment The Thai guy who helped me adjust my gear that day saw my hands trembling nervously and suddenly said in Chinese, “Don’t be afraid, the fish underwater are much friendlier than the people on the beach.” Later, underwater, he pointed out a pufferfish guarding its eggs—the fish puffed up its belly, carefully protecting a cluster of pink eggs. At that moment, I almost cried: it turns out all life protects what it loves in the same way. -- 🌟 Final Words If you’ve ever felt suffocated in life, maybe it’s time to learn how to “breathe” underwater. When pressure wraps around you like seawater, you have to learn to breathe slower, deeper, and more focused, inhaling every precious breath of oxygen. Those seemingly distant blue dreams only need one brave leap.