There’s a cause why scuba diving in Phuket is vastly well-liked. Yearly, divers from all around the world journey to this small Thai island to discover its gorgeous dive websites. From critters to pelagic marine life, from dramatic drop-offs to gorgeous reefs, scuba diving in Phuket is a deal with for divers of all ranges.
So preserve studying to search out out what precisely makes Phuket probably the greatest diving locations in Asia.
Phuket – The Fundamentals
Situated South within the Andaman Sea, Phuket is the most important island in Thailand with a thriving tourism business.
Amongst its pure wonders and vacationer points of interest, Phuket counts palm-fringed seashores, temples, luxurious seashore resorts, a energetic nightlife, and – in fact – prime dive websites.
Regardless of being an island, Phuket is well-connected to the remainder of the world with:
- One worldwide airport (code HKT), making journey from overseas quick, simple and inexpensive.
- One bridge related to mainland Thailand. Nevertheless, touring by highway will not be the quickest, most secure, or most comfy strategy to attain Phuket.
- A dependable ferry service. There’s a daily ferry service from/to Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, and lots of different islands. There’s additionally a ferry reference to Langkawi, Malaysia.
Search flights to Phuket
What’s Phuket diving recognized for?
Phuket is likely one of the greatest locations to dive in Thailand for a lot of causes.
Well-known for its marine ecosystem, Phuket has one thing for all, particularly for novices in search of simple and calm diving situations. There are day by day dive journeys to close by islands, rock pinnacles, and thriving coral reefs the place you may see a wide range of micro and macro life, but in addition wrecks, drop-offs, and partitions.
Scuba diving in Phuket means spending all day on a ship, so when you’re vulnerable to seasickness, bear in mind to pack some movement illness tablets.
There are additionally dive journeys to the far-out Similan and Surin Islands. However – fact be advised – day journeys to those islands wouldn’t provide you with sufficient time to discover the great thing about what many contemplate to be the no. 1 dive spot in Thailand.
So, The Junk liveaboard is a cushty (and thrilling!) strategy to discover the Similan and Surin Islands. The liveaboard’s itinerary additionally contains different well-liked diving spots in Thailand, like Phi Phi, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, and Koh Haa. The Junk additionally sails to Myanmar’s pristine Mergui Archipelago, a fast-growing liveaboard vacation spot.
Enthusiastic about occurring a liveaboard? Right here’s what it is advisable to know.
What marine life can I see in Phuket?
When scuba diving in Phuket, you may anticipate to come back face-to-face with a wide range of marine life. You possibly can see barracudas, seahorses, harlequin shrimps, clownfish, eels, nudibranchs, hawksbill turtles, and leopard sharks.
Relying on the time of yr and your luck, you may even see:
- Whale sharks: February-April (Similan Islands), Might-October (Phuket).
- Ornate Ghost Pipefish: Uncommon and exhausting to search out, so preserve your eyes open!
- Manta rays: 12 months-round (Phuket), December – April (Similan Islands)
When is the most effective time to scuba dive in Phuket?
You possibly can go scuba diving in Phuket all yr spherical, however through the monsoon season (Might-October), some dive areas is probably not accessible or have less-than-perfect visibility. When you’re planning to go to throughout this time of yr and wish to do shore excursions, be prepared for some rainfall.
In any case, when diving in Phuket, you may anticipate glorious visibility within the vary of 25-40m (82-131 ft), heat waters round 25ºC (77ºF), and mild currents.
How a lot does scuba diving price in Phuket?
Through the years, Thailand has earned a fame for being one of many least expensive diving locations. So, when you’re touring on a price range AND don’t wish to miss out on nice diving experiences, Phuket is the place to dive!
On common, Phuket diving journeys price simply over $100 for 3-tank boat dives. The all-inclusive value covers rental gear, meals, and transfers. Fairly the deal, proper?
The place are the most effective Phuket dive websites?
Phuket has many dive websites to match all preferences, consolation ranges, and certifications.
Under are a few of the greatest dive websites in Phuket which you could go to on a day journey or with a liveaboard.
Phuket Coral Reefs
Anemone Reef
Anemone Reef is a marine sanctuary buzzing with marine life. So, it’s no shock that it’s additionally one in every of Phuket’s scuba diving highlights.
Because the identify suggests, Anemone Reef is an anemone-encrusted submerged pinnacle, however there are additionally corals and sea followers. The dive website ranges between 2-25 m (16-82 ft), and you may see something from turtles to leopard sharks, scorpion fish, and colleges of snappers.
Racha Islands
Situated south of Phuket, the Racha Islands are comprised of two islands: Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi. Each are nice diving areas, particularly for novices in search of shallow, simple dives with loads of corals and vibrant fish. There are additionally underwater statues, together with two huge elephants and a temple.
Phi Phi Islands
Scuba diving in Phuket additionally provides you the chance to do day journeys to Phi Phi Island – the world-famous island recognized for its signature pinnacles.
Phi Phi Island has a wide range of dive websites for divers of all ranges. However wherever you dive, you’ll see an abundance of marine life, together with sting rays, turtles, blacktip reef sharks, and lots of tropical fish.
Scuba Diving in Phuket with Large Animals
Shark Level
Shark Level is a well-liked scuba diving spot in Phuket named after the many leopard sharks that reside between the pinnacles of this dive website. However you may as well see different marine life, like pufferfish, boxfish, and vibrant nudibranchs.
The typical depth is 15-20 m (49-65 ft), making it appropriate for superior divers and novices with some diving expertise.
Similan Islands
At a push, you are able to do day journeys to the Similan Islands, however it will be virtually inconceivable to see the most effective that they’ve to supply. So, if you wish to dive within the Similan Islands (and it’s best to!), The Junk Liveaboard is a greater possibility. You’d then have the time to discover all the gorgeous and distant dive websites, together with Tachai, Richelieu Rock, and Koh Bon.
Nonetheless, diving within the Similan Islands is an journey. There are numerous completely different dive websites various in depth, situations, and topography. And it’s right here that you simply’re extra prone to see pelagics, together with manta rays and whale sharks.
Do you know? The Similan Islands are one of many greatest locations to scuba dive manta rays!
Hin Daeng & Hin Muang
Second solely to maybe the Similan Islands, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are a should for superior divers who wish to dive with pelagics. Assume manta rays and whale sharks. You possibly can solely dive right here with a liveaboard or non-public boat.
Wreck Dives in Phuket
King Cruiser
The MS King Cruiser wreck in Phuket ranks as one of many high wreck dive websites in Asia.
Initially a Japanese automotive and passenger ferry within the 90s, the King Cruiser was later bought by the Thai authorities and used as a passenger ferry between Phuket and Phi Phi Island. In 1997, nonetheless, the King Cruiser hit a rock close to Anemone Reef and sank. Fortunately, there have been no casualties.
Measuring 85 x 25m (278 x 82 ft) and mendacity at a depth of 20-32m (65-104 ft) , the King Cruiser is a large wreck well-liked amongst superior divers. There will also be some present, so be sure to have an SMB with you.
Through the years, the wreck has additionally change into a synthetic reef, attracting many fish, but in addition turtles and the occasional shark.
Phuket Wall Diving
Koh Dok Mai
When you get pleasure from trying to find smaller marine life between rocks, crevices, and corals, then it’s important to dive at Koh Dok Mai, a small limestone island. The partitions of the limestone drop to 30m (98 ft), so you may calmly circle your means down whereas trying to find critters, together with nudibranchs, frogfish, and ghost pipefish.
There are additionally many species of corals that appeal to greater fish, making this an all-round unbelievable dive website for anybody who desires to go scuba diving in Phuket.
Which website will you be heading to first? Share this text with a buddy who wants to affix you in Phuket!
Concerning the Creator
Elena Vivaldo is a PADI teacher turned freelance website positioning copywriter and content material author. She makes use of her 20+ years of diving expertise to jot down tales, guides, and opinions for world web sites, together with World Nomads and Waterlust. She additionally contributes to blogs of dive facilities and scuba gear producers worldwide. Take a look at her work on her web site, and comply with her on LinkedIn, Fb, and Instagram.
