Dive Sites

Diving Overview Dive Sites

Phuket's West Coast

The west coast of Phuket Island consists of reasonably healthy reefs and a surprising amount of marine life. Visibility is usually fine but the weak currents and relatively shallow depths afford a great location for dive training and snorkeling. Sites such as Freedom Beach, Paradise Beach, Bang Tao, Koh Pu (near Kata Beach), Nui Beach and Laem Phrom Thep are easily accessed from the shore or via a short longtail boat ride.

Anemone Reef

A completely submerged pinnacle about 1km north-west from Shark Point. As the name suggests, the area is completely covered in green, pink and brown sea anemones. Adding to the beauty of the underwater vista are large clusters of radiant soft corals and gorgonian sea fans. These provide homes for an abundance of fish and invertebrates. Lionfish can often be seen here in large numbers.

Coral Island

Also known as Koh Hae, this island is one of the most popular year-round day trip destinations from Phuket, due to its proximity (about 9kms from Chalong or Rawai), and sheltered location. Visibility is never excellent here, although the large variety of reef fish and healthy hard coral growth make this a decent site for beginners and snorkelers. Non-diving day-trippers can make this area quite busy during the high season.
(For general information see Coral Island destination guide).

Hin Daeg & Hin Muang

These two pinnacles are located about 60kms to the south of Phi Phi, completely surrounded by the open sea and 15kms from the nearest island. These sites are a favorite destination for short live-aboards out of Phuket and Phi Phi.

King Cruiser Wreck

The King Cruiser was an 85m catamaran-style ferry that ran regular trips between Phuket and Phi Phi. The ship sunk on May 4, 1997 without loss of life in calm seas after tearing its hull on a shoal, apparently due to a simple navigational error. This provided Phuket's divers with a great wreck dive which Phuket had been conspicuously lacking. The wreck lies approximately 1km south-east from Shark Point. A large variety of marine life has been attracted to the wreck, although coral growth will take some time.

Koh Doc Mai

Meaning “Flower Island” in Thai, this small jungle topped island has imposing cliffs that tower above the sea. 20kms from Chalong and half-way between Phuket and Shark Point, there is some great wall-diving here, with beautiful scenery from the surface right to the bottom. A spectacular dive when visibility is good, with a large assortment of marine life including leopard sharks and pelagics.

Phi Phi

Popular with divers on day trips and as well as those who come to stay on Phi Phi Don, the largest of the Phi Phi islands, the underwater scenery in the area is as spectacular as it is above water. Often considered too busy by serious divers who prefer quieter dive sites, there are good reasons for its popularity. The area has some excellent dive sites. In particular, the islands offer several cave dives and many impressive wall dives. Currents are generally weak and though visibility is fair, it's rarely excellent.

Racha Yai & Racha Noi

Due South of Phuket lie two classic tropical islands, Koh Racha Yai ( Big Racha ) and Koh Racha Noi ( Little Racha ). Both islands feature fringing hard coral reefs with an abundance of fish life, including octopus, cuttle fish, puffer fish ,box fish and moray eels and small boat wreck on Rach Yai. You can always find territorial triggerfish and large schools of blue line and yellow tail snapper. Depending on the day Racha Yai can offer some awsome drift diving. Rach Noi offers deeper dives and a good chance to see manta rays and sharks. Both islands are great for snorkeling also.

		Dive Sites Diving Overview Dive Sites Phuket's West Coast The west coast of Phuket Island consists of reasonably healthy reefs and a surprising amount of marine life. Visibility is usually fine but the weak currents and relatively shallow depths afford a great location for dive training and snorkeling. Sites such as Freedom Beach, Paradise Beach, Bang Tao, Koh Pu (near Kata Beach), Nui Beach and Laem Phrom Thep are easily accessed from the shore or via a short longtail boat ride. Anemone Reef A completely submerged pinnacle about 1km north-west from Shark Point. As the name suggests, the area is completely covered in green, pink and brown sea anemones. Adding to the beauty of the underwater vista are large clusters of radiant soft corals and gorgonian sea fans. These provide homes for an abundance of fish and invertebrates. Lionfish can often be seen here in large numbers. Coral Island Also known as Koh Hae, this island is one of the most popular year-round day trip destinations from Phuket, due to its proximity (about 9kms from Chalong or Rawai), and sheltered location. Visibility is never excellent here, although the large variety of reef fish and healthy hard coral growth make this a decent site for beginners and snorkelers. Non-diving day-trippers can make this area quite busy during the high season. (For general information see Coral Island destination guide). Hin Daeg & Hin Muang These two pinnacles are located about 60kms to the south of Phi Phi, completely surrounded by the open sea and 15kms from the nearest island. These sites are a favorite destination for short live-aboards out of Phuket and Phi Phi. King Cruiser Wreck The King Cruiser was an 85m catamaran-style ferry that ran regular trips between Phuket and Phi Phi. The ship sunk on May 4, 1997 without loss of life in calm seas after tearing its hull on a shoal, apparently due to a simple navigational error. This provided Phuket's divers with a great wreck dive which Phuket had been conspicuously lacking. The wreck lies approximately 1km south-east from Shark Point. A large variety of marine life has been attracted to the wreck, although coral growth will take some time. Koh Doc Mai Meaning “Flower Island” in Thai, this small jungle topped island has imposing cliffs that tower above the sea. 20kms from Chalong and half-way between Phuket and Shark Point, there is some great wall-diving here, with beautiful scenery from the surface right to the bottom. A spectacular dive when visibility is good, with a large assortment of marine life including leopard sharks and pelagics. Phi Phi Popular with divers on day trips and as well as those who come to stay on Phi Phi Don, the largest of the Phi Phi islands, the underwater scenery in the area is as spectacular as it is above water. Often considered too busy by serious divers who prefer quieter dive sites, there are good reasons for its popularity. The area has some excellent dive sites. In particular, the islands offer several cave dives and many impressive wall dives. Currents are generally weak and though visibility is fair, it's rarely excellent. Racha Yai & Racha Noi Due South of Phuket lie two classic tropical islands, Koh Racha Yai ( Big Racha ) and Koh Racha Noi ( Little Racha ). Both islands feature fringing hard coral reefs with an abundance of fish life, including octopus, cuttle fish, puffer fish ,box fish and moray eels and small boat wreck on Rach Yai. You can always find territorial triggerfish and large schools of blue line and yellow tail snapper. Depending on the day Racha Yai can offer some awsome drift diving. Rach Noi offers deeper dives and a good chance to see manta rays and sharks. Both islands are great for snorkeling also.
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