Diving in Phuket

Phuket is well-known for its diving, counting several diverse dive spots in its list of attributes. Many people come to the island purely to partake in this aquatic activity and enjoy a variety of underwater settings, ranging from pinnacles to vertical walls, and even wreck diving. There are plenty of dive centres dotted around the island, with a high concentration in Chalong since most diving and fishing trips start from the Chalong pier. Diving is an activity that can be enjoyed year-round, however, conditions and visibility will vary during low season (May to October).

DIVING COURSES

If you’ve never tried to dive before, Phuket is the perfect place to learn. Take a Discover Scuba Diving lesson to whet your appetite and find out whether this watery activity is for you. If you decide that there’s no looking back and you want to see more of what the underwater world has to offer, PADI dive courses are available from Open Water to Instructor from any number of dive centres.

DAY TRIPS

There are many diving day trips you can do from Phuket, such as to Anemone Reef where you’ll see an abundance of colourful sea anemone and tropical fish; Shark Point for sightings of the leopard species; and King Cruiser Wreck where an 85-metre ferry has its final resting point; this location is preferable for the advanced diver due to strong currents. An ideal spot for those new to diving can be found at Koh Racha Yai where the water is shallow and filled with multi-coloured fish, thus creating a relaxing atmosphere for beginners.

LIVEABOARDS

Liveaboards are a popular option to many diving enthusiasts, offering the chance to participate in several dives a day, as well as some night diving. You can take a liveaboard from Phuket to dive spots around Phi Phi or the spectacular Similan Islands, which boast some of the best diving in Southeast Asia. The Similan Islands are only accessible during the high season, between November and mid-May.

DIVE SITES

ANEMONE REEF
Maximum Depth: 30 Metres
A limestone pinnacle that rises 30 metres from the sea floor and stops at approximately five metres below the water’s surface. The main features are the mass amount of brightly coloured sea anemone, clown fish, grouper, snapper, barracuda and the odd leopard shark.

KING CRUISER WRECK
Maximum Depth: 30 Metres
An 85-metre car and passenger ferry that sank on 4 May 1997 while sailing between Phuket and Phi Phi after it struck the rocky pinnacle at Anemone Reef. Today, it is a popular dive site where you can swim through the wreckage that lies between 12- and 30-metres.

KOH PHI PHI
Maximum Depth: 40 Metres
Made up of six limestone islands. You can dive a number of different spots with features such as caves and vertical walls. Teeming with tropical fish of all shapes and sizes, as well as an assortment of corals and fans, Phi Phi remains a renowned location for diving enthusiasts.

SIMILAN ISLANDS
Maximum Depth: 40 Metres
A group of nine isles in the Andaman Sea that offer some of the world’s best diving, rich in marine life that includes manta rays and whale sharks. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular. There are over 20 distinct dives to participate in both by day and night.