Phuket Travel and Destination Guide

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Phuket Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving on Phuket is a must for all underwater lovers. The number of dive sites in such a small concentrated space is incredible; the courses are comprehensive and the conditions perfect. Scuba diving liveaboard safaris are increasing in popularity – spacious and comfortable dive boats that cruise from suite to site at a leisurely pace, keeping you entertained on board between trips. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top Phuket dive sites:

Diving at the Similan Islands Phuket

The Similan Islands is one of the top ten dive sites in the world, a gathering of nine tropical islands in the Andaman Sea, 100 km's northwest of Phuket. It became National Marine Park in 1982, and offers swim - throughs, wall and drift dives with a wide variety of marine life, including leopard and reef sharks, with visibility ranging from 25 - 40 meters. The east coast has white powdery beaches, and hard coral gardens which slope down to 40m. Drift diving is popular here.

Diving at Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and Koh Ta Chai Phuket

Richelieu Rock is situated 90 km's north of the Similan's, and is famous for its coral gardens. This is a top spot for whale sharks and the diving at Koh Bon and Koh Ta Chai features visits from Manta rays! Nearby Koh Tachai is famous for rays, leopard sharks and nurse sharks.

Diving at Hin Daeng & Hin Muang Phuket

Hin Daeng and Hin Muang - the red and purple rocks are located 90 km's south of Phuket. Hard and soft coral gardens, steep drop offs, whale sharks and large pelagics make this a spectacular spot. It drops to 60m + on the south and has spectacular underwater gardens. Liveaboard cruises ideally start from 2 days/ 2 nights.

Diving at Burma Banks Phuket

Burma Banks is a new dive site with plankton and a variety of sharks such as silver tips and nurse sharks. Hammerheads and huge whale sharks make occasional guest appearances. The visibility exceeds 30 meters!

Diving at Mergui Archipelago

The Mergui Archipelago are Burmese islands 150km north of Phuket. Opened since 1996, the 800 plus islands feature diverse array of marine life. There’s an array of pinnacles, islands and sea mounts in the rugged underwater terrain, plus hard and soft coral, sharks and other pelagics.

East of Phuket is a wreck, King Cruiser, and not far from there is Shark Point and Anemone Reef with bright soft corals and Leopard sharks. Trips to these dive sites are usually combined with a dive at Koh Doc Mai, one of the best wall dives in the area.

Diving at Phi Phi Islands Phuket

The Phi Phi islands are surrounded by numerous excellent dive sites. The archipelago of limestone islands is a site not to be missed.

Phuket Diving Accommodation

Kata Beach, Karon Beach and Patong Beach all have dive centres. Base yourself in a Phuket rental villa on these beaches and indulge in a perfect dive holiday.