There’s a cause why scuba diving in Phuket is vastly in style. Yearly, divers from everywhere in 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 hold studying to seek out out what precisely makes Phuket top-of-the-line 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 trade.
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, straightforward and reasonably priced.
- One bridge linked to mainland Thailand. Nonetheless, touring by street will not be the quickest, most secure, or most comfy technique to attain Phuket.
- A dependable ferry service. There’s an everyday ferry service from/to Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, and plenty of different islands. There’s additionally a ferry reference to Langkawi, Malaysia.
Search flights to Phuket
What’s Phuket diving recognized for?
Phuket is without doubt one of the finest locations to dive in Thailand for a lot of causes.
Well-known for its marine ecosystem, Phuket has one thing for all, particularly for newbies on the lookout for straightforward and calm diving circumstances. There are every day dive journeys to close by islands, rock pinnacles, and thriving coral reefs the place you may see quite a lot of micro and macro life, but additionally wrecks, drop-offs, and partitions.
Scuba diving in Phuket means spending all day on a ship, so if you happen to’re susceptible to seasickness, keep in mind to pack some movement illness tablets.
There are additionally dive journeys to the far-out Similan and Surin Islands. However – reality be informed – day journeys to those islands wouldn’t offer you 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!) technique to discover the Similan and Surin Islands. The liveaboard’s itinerary additionally contains different in style 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.
Serious 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 return face-to-face with quite a lot of marine life. You may 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), Could-October (Phuket).
- Ornate Ghost Pipefish: Uncommon and onerous to seek out, so hold your eyes open!
- Manta rays: Yr-round (Phuket), December – April (Similan Islands)
When is one of the best time to scuba dive in Phuket?
You may go scuba diving in Phuket all yr spherical, however through the monsoon season (Could-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 need to do shore excursions, be prepared for some rainfall.
In any case, when diving in Phuket, you may anticipate wonderful visibility within the vary of 25-40m (82-131 ft), heat waters round 25ºC (77ºF), and mild currents.
How a lot does scuba diving value in Phuket?
Over time, Thailand has earned a repute for being one of many most cost-effective diving locations. So, if you happen to’re touring on a finances AND don’t need to miss out on nice diving experiences, Phuket is the place to dive!
On common, Phuket diving journeys value simply over $100 for 3-tank boat dives. The all-inclusive worth covers rental tools, meals, and transfers. Fairly the deal, proper?
The place are one of the best Phuket dive websites?
Phuket has many dive websites to match all preferences, consolation ranges, and certifications.
Under are a few of the finest dive websites in Phuket that 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 considered one 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’ll 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 newbies on the lookout for shallow, straightforward 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 quite a lot 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 plenty 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 dwell between the pinnacles of this dive website. However you can even see different marine life, like pufferfish, boxfish, and vibrant nudibranchs.
The common 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 could be virtually not possible to see one of the best that they’ve to supply. So, if you wish to dive within the Similan Islands (and you need to!), The Junk Liveaboard is a greater choice. You’d then have the time to discover all the attractive and distant dive websites, together with Tachai, Richelieu Rock, and Koh Bon.
Nonetheless, diving within the Similan Islands is an journey. There are various totally different dive websites various in depth, circumstances, and topography. And it’s right here that you just’re extra more likely to see pelagics, together with manta rays and whale sharks.
Do you know? The Similan Islands are one of many finest 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 need to dive with pelagics. Suppose manta rays and whale sharks. You may 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 prime 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, nevertheless, 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 big wreck in style amongst superior divers. There may also be some present, so be sure to have an SMB with you.
Over time, the wreck has additionally turn out to be a man-made reef, attracting many fish, but additionally 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 method down whereas trying to find critters, together with nudibranchs, frogfish, and ghost pipefish.
There are additionally many species of corals that entice greater fish, making this an all-round implausible dive website for anybody who needs to go scuba diving in Phuket.
Which website will you be heading to first? Share this text with a buddy who wants to hitch you in Phuket!
Concerning the Writer
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 international web sites, together with World Nomads and Waterlust. She additionally contributes to blogs of dive facilities and scuba gear producers worldwide. Try her work on her web site, and comply with her on LinkedIn, Fb, and Instagram.
