Whether you’re up for exploring an ancient culture, shopping, great eats or just want to dive, dive, dive, the Land of Smiles has what you’re looking for. Take a look at 10 reasons to love Thailand.

1. SAIL ROCK

North of Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand, this site is a popular wall dive where you might see a turtle or two, and stingrays, puffers and batfish are nearly guaranteed.

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2. WAT PHU KHAO NOI

Wat Phu Khao Noi is the oldest temple on Koh Phangan and is situated on top of a hill just outside Thong Sala, near the hospital. It has some very interesting ancient buildings and Buddhist stupas, or dome-shaped shrines, as well as amazing views over the island.

3. SHARK POINT

Named for its topside resemblance to a dorsal fin, this Andaman Sea site is like two dives in one. Different sides of the islet offer a variety of critters, including corals, sponges and morays.

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4. ANEMONE REEF

Not far from Shark Point, this site is popular among all levels of snorkelers and divers for its shallow reef starting at about 10 feet. With sea anemones covering the reef almost in its entirety, it isn’t hard to spot clownfish, juvenile reef fish and colorful sea stars.

5. THONG NAI PAN NOI VILLAGE

Situated on a beautiful cove beach, this is a great place for a meal or shopping for fun boho dresses and an array of accessories.

6. HIN DAENG AND HIN MUANG

These two spectacular open-water pinnacles in the south Andaman support canyons and plateaus that create picturesque niches for eels, shrimp and other critters, and good-size grouper and schooling barracuda hang just out of reach. On a night dive at Hin Daeng, free-swimming eels turn the slopes into a living, rippling mass before your eyes.

7. THAI MASSAGES

Hourlong massages with fresh coconut oil and warm jasmine tea are around every corner and will run you about $20.

8. STONEHENGE

Known for its diversity of species as well as its topography, this site off Koh Lipe, near the Malaysian border, is one of the prettiest dives anywhere, with monoliths covered in purple soft corals of every hue. Look for seahorses, nudis and anemonefish, plus mackerel, tuna and devil rays at this lively site.

9. BAAN MUAY THAI

Try this Thong Nai Pan restaurant for panang, pad thai or pad krapao moo kai dao, spicy stir-fried pork with Thai basil and a fried egg on top.

10. THE SAND BAR

Popular with expats and travelers, this circular Thong Nai Pan watering hole is easy to miss by day, but it really gets going at night. Drinks are stiff — and cheap.

DIVERS GUIDE

Average water temp Low to mid-80s

What to wear Swimsuit to 3 mm

Average viz 20 feet to 150 feet

When to go Thailand has two seasons, wet and dry. They are opposite depending on which side of the peninsula you’re on.

More info sportdiver.com/thailand