Not only is Phuket an excellent base for exploring some of Thailand’s great dive sites, but it’s also a lively holiday destination packed with fun.

Phuket provides shore and boat diving as well as the Similan and Surin Islands, and the southernmost sites are also a jump-off point for liveaboards. Leaving for northern liveaboards from Khao Lak means less time for cruising though.

It only possible to dive in Phuket between November to April only, divers and those planning to go on a vacation there should take note. Monsoon winds are making diving dangerous from this time, particularly shallow dives. It is a necessity that overhead traffic should be treated with care and attention. These are probably great for beginners and training; they are likely to delight macro hunters too.

If you decide to do boat diving, it will take you to the 2 Bacha islands which is two hours away and proffer 10 cool sites to explore. Diving there can interest some of the bigger pelagic too and is also great for entry-level. In the direction of Koh Phi Phillies Doc Mai, That Island is all just about the little things.

Boat diving can take you to the two islands of Racha, and these are only two hours away cruising and offering ten places to discover. Diving in this place is perfect for entry-level and may interest some of the pelagics that are biggertoo. Koh Doc Mai lies towards the roadthat lead toKoh Phi Phi. The prestigious King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point and Anemone Reef are approximately two hours cruise away. King Cruiser, a fabulous and extravagant wreck site can experience quite strong and fierce current, so it’s not suitable for beginners.

Close toKoh Phi Phi, the dive sites there can be accessible from Phuket, the same as HinMuang and southern peak of HinDeang too. These are the most desirable dived from nearer points or on a southerly heading liveaboard because of the distance.

FAVOURABLE TIMES TO DIVE IN PHUKET

Concerning the climate in PHUKET, it is, of course, tropical, and the weather is usually hot and humid throughout the whole year. The two seasons there are:

The rainy season

The dry season

The rainy period or season lasts from May to December every year. It should be noted that from June to October that sometimes there will be downpours of rain but rainy days are seldom seen, and it is mostly a cooling two-hour downpour at the end of the day.

The dry season, which is usually hot runs from January to April and is the best time to visit Phuket. It is import to note that it can still be rainy during the dry season.

November – April is when the high tourist season runs with a peak in December through January. Of course, it is best and wise to avoid this period because accommodation is often full and there is always increment in prices.

Furthermore, the best main sites are usually crowded during this particular season, and it is also crowded underwater. So if you’re planning to visit there during this period, it is better to book in advance because liveaboards are also usually fully booked.

Air temperature there is usually from 25°C to 32°C, and the water temperature is approximately 29°C throughout the whole year.

To scuba dive in phuket all year round is possible, but the best and advisable Scuba diving period is from November to April when everywhere is crystal clear. If you want to come when it is quieter, then come after January in order to avoid the tourist crowds. The sea is usually choppy, and the visibility is usually reduced from April to October.

Liveaboards run throughout the year but the main season is between October and May if you want to go Scuba diving in the beautiful Similans and Surin archipelagos.

PHUKET FAVOURABLE AND BEST DIVE SITES  

Phuket is an ideal destination for beginners and experienced divers alike. The warm seasonal weather allows for year-round diving, but the peak conditions are from November to April. Even though this is a popular scuba diving tourist destination, the coral reefs are well-kept and also appropriately maintained and are in excellent condition. Conservation is taken seriously in this area, and the reefs are cleaned periodically.

Of course, here is a list of the best scuba diving sites:

Shark Point

Shark Point is since 1992 protected as a marine sanctuary. This particular site epitomizes and sum up the phrase “the living reef”. Everywhere is full of reef fish, and the corals also make available a backdropkaleidoscopic. Leopard sharks rest approximately eighteen meters on the sandy parts close to the base of the peaks, and bamboo sharks are usually found under the hard corals. You will discover various shrimp species like, moray eels, octopus scorpionfish, lionfish, and so much more.

RachaNoi South Tip 

Fascinating topography, excellent visibility, exhilating drifts and moving pelagics turn this into an unbeatable dive. The array of underwater boulders emerging from the water attracts manta rays, whale sharks and other larger fish including schooling jack and tuna. Currents here are different, and the drifts can also be an interesting and thrilling ride.

KohDok Mai

This is an excellent and wonderful drift divewall, with secret caves and crevices prowling in its limestone rock face. Glide through yellow tube coral gardens and check out the reef for moray eels peeking out. The sun rays from above illuminate the beauty of this place, and baby nurse sharks and whale sharks makes here their home in the big blue from November through May. KohDokMai ‘s diversity is among Thailand ‘s finest, and no two dives are ever the same.

Anemone Reef 

It is seen as the limestone pinnacle, which emerges from 30 meters up to 100 feet and is entirely shrouded in an extraordinary mass of anemones that is multi-colored. As one would anticipate, anemone fishes is not in short supply here, but the pinnacle also appeals a plethora of reef life including butterflyfish, snappers,sweetlips, triggerfish, moray eels and a range of critters to boot!

BidaNok / BidaNai 

This two limestone islands are awesome, both above and below the water with impressive walls home to hawksbill turtles and sea snakes. BidaNai also have several overhangs and caves where seahorses and many other small critters love to hideout. The acme here is the different kind of marine life from wrasses, moray eels, barracuda, ghost pipefish leopard sharks, and scorpion fish camouflaged against the reef.

WHAT TO EXPECT OR SEE

February to May is the advisable time to see whale sharks in this area. Leopard sharks are likely to be seen here too. Anticipate seeing pieces of stuff like tuna, barracuda and grouper. Also,the brilliant reef favourites like angelfish, trumpetfish andbutterflyfish. If you have sharp eyes or a good guide you’ll see seahorse, ghost pipefish, nudibranch, anglerfish, scorpionfish and stonefish.

AREA

Phuket is Thailand’s biggest island, so big that you might not even recognize it wasn’t part of the mainland. Bridges enlist Phuket to the mainland. It fibs off the west coast and is 210 miles square (543 sq. km) and home to over half a million people. Moreover, mountains run from the north to the south and wrap some 70% of the landmass.

It’s a hugely prominent destination, hectic, vibrant, somewhat loud and heavily refined. The main area of Patong is by far the busiest. Outside of Patong, there are peaceful and less refined areas to spend your holiday. The decent beaches and the attentiveness of tourist buildings run along the west coast, guaranteeing you a magnificent sunset to sip cocktails in front of, every evening of your holiday.

As you might foresee for a destination of this dimension and popularity, it has everything you could need for a thrilling, action-packed holiday. Great panorama, great waterfronts, thumping nightlife, a full range of water sports, shops galore, great cafes and even an old town and some temples and cultural sites to explore.

OTHER MIND-BLOWING ATTRACTIONS

Apart from the plethora of actions available, Phuket also has standard international definitive championship golf courses.

HOW TO GET THERE 

The island’s Phuket International Airport is visibly located in the north of the island and is the second largest airport in Thailand. It is serviced by regular flights to Bangkok, other main cities in Asia and also Australia and Europe.

There are several taxis, shuttles, busses and minibus services all accessible to your accommodation from the airport.