Phuket rates among the top 10 scuba diving destinations in the world. Spectacular reefs, unusual underwater rock formations, and a huge variety of marine life provide great opportunities for divers of all levels.
Phuket is the natural base for diving and exploring the Andaman Sea. The waters here contain some excellent under water scenery and fringing coral reefs with a huge variety of reef and pelagic fish and hard and soft corals. Add to this tens of thousands of other marine organisms, including crustaceans, echinoderms, and worms, each with its own role in maintaining the coral reef ecosystem as a whole, and you have a fascinating diving environment.
Five species of sea turtle nest on islands in Thai waters, leatherbacks, green turtles, loggerheads, hawksbills, and ridley. All of these are endangered species. Other marine life of note includes the mammals. At least two species of dolphin are commonly found in Thai waters: the Indian porpoise and the long-nosed dolphin. Ming whales are also occasional visitors.
Phuket Diving Highlights:
The visibility can be brilliant – often exceeding 30 meters, and can extend to 40 meters.
Warm water (average temperature 29° C), at the Similan Islands quite often 1-2 degrees cooler.
Hundreds of varieties of hard and soft corals, reef fishes, including some of the larger species, and other reef creatures.
You may get an opportunity to swim with whale sharks and manta rays.
Dozens of scenic island destinations are within range of day trips and liveaboard cruises from Phuket.
Diving is possible year round at many of the dive sites in the Phuket area.
Comfortable liveaboard boats with great food and expert supervision operate to the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock.
Diving courses are offered in virtually all languages.
What better souvenir to take home then a PADI Open Water ticket as a scuba diver, or, if you’ve already qualified, accreditation from a speciality course such as underwater naturalist, navigator or wreck diver?