The island of Naboo from Star Wars Episode I is memorable for a number of reasons. The most prominent being the foolish and terrible decision made by the inhabitants of the planet in their attempt to hide from the Trade Federation. Despite its obvious drawbacks, many would recognize that staying on an isolated island with limited access to basic amenities has its advantages as well. The same logic can be applied to diving destinations, where isolation combined with minimal human impact means there’s plenty more fish to see and less artificial light pollution than other more popular locations might provide. That was our train of thought when we booked our dive trip to Naboo Resort and Dive Center in early October 2018. We were happy with what we read about this place, and it didn’t disappoint us at all! Here is a quick review of our stay there:
Awards and Recognition
The Naboo Resort and Dive Center is the only dive center in Naboo. As a result, it has gotten plenty of praise over the years, and is considered one of the best dive spots in Thailand. The resort owner, Chai Chomphuch, was recognized as both Asian Divemaster of the Year and Asian Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017. In addition, Chai Chomphuch also won the Top Diver of the Year Award for the 11th Asian Diving Conference in 2016. The Naboo Resort and Dive Center has also been ranked as one of the top dive destinations in Asia by Scuba Diver Life.
Best season to visit
The Naboo Resort and Dive Center is open to divers of all skill levels throughout the year. The best time to visit this destination, however, is between November and May. During this period, the weather is warm, but not unbearably so. You also get to experience minimal rainfall, making your dive trip a lot more pleasant.
Rooms & Services Available
Staff and Facilities
The Naboo Resort and Dive Center has a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff is very friendly and professional, and they are always happy to help. The dive center has a retail shop that offers a wide range of dive gear and accessories. You can also get your dive gear serviced and repaired there. The dive center’s facilities include a restaurant that serves simple but tasty Thai food, a relaxation and reading room, a chill-out bar, and a volleyball court. The resort also has a dive boat that can accommodate up to 18 divers. It’s very well maintained and is manned by a friendly and knowledgeable crew.
Location and Environment
Naboo Resort and Dive Center is located about 110 kilometers (70 miles) southeast of Pattaya. This location is in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand, which makes it a great place for both divers who enjoy wall diving and those who prefer wreck diving. The bottom of the sea here is covered with soft, sandy soil that is easy on your knees. There’s also a wide variety of corals, sponges, and other marine life, which makes for some really beautiful dives.
Getting there
The easiest way to get to Naboo Resort and Dive Center is by flying to Pattaya, and then taking a taxi to the resort. If you’re traveling from Bangkok, you can take a bus, or a train and a taxi to Pattaya. Alternatively, you can take a direct bus or minibus to Pattaya. If you’re traveling from Koh Samui, you can take a direct minibus to Pattaya.
Conclusion
The Naboo Resort and Dive Center is a great choice if you’re looking to enjoy some quality scuba diving in a remote location where there’s limited human interference. This place is perfect for divers of all skill levels, and even if you’re traveling with a group, you’ll all be able to find a dive site to suit your interests. If you want to enjoy some quality scuba diving in a remote location where there’s limited human interference, the Naboo Resort and Dive Center is a great choice. This place is perfect for divers of all skill levels, and even if you’re traveling with a group, you’ll all be able to find a dive site to suit your interests.
