Phuket Diving

The Best Dive Sites in the Andaman Sea

Nestling like a pearl, set in the centre of the Andaman Sea, Phuket's location sets it apart from and elevates it above Thailand's other diving destinations, and this is one of the reasons why so many divers come back to the area year after year.

Simply put, this island is the only resort area from where you can go diving at all of Thailand's chief attractions, with regular Phuket liveaboard tours to the famous Similan Islands, Hin Daeng, Richelieu Rock, as well as Burma.

You can dive Phuket for a wide range of interesting local adventures too - discover the sunken treasures of the King Cruiser car ferry wreck, or if you are a keen photographer then you can take underwater photos of the leopard sharks at Shark Point or Koh Phi Phi. Then there's the chance to dive with manta rays and view whales at Racha Noi South Point.

With unbeatable access to all of the best diving in Thailand, its own varied and fascinating underwater worlds, plus its legendary topside attractions of fantastic beaches and thumping nightlife, Phuket diving proves very popular with both young holidaymakers and experienced dive travellers.

• Phuket tourist information

• Map of Phuket Island

Diving Season

You can visit all the Phuket dive spots all of the year round, but the best conditions exist from November through to April.

Late May to October brings monsoon winds and surface swells to the island, sometimes reducing visibility by about 30%, but it's pretty rare that diving trips are cancelled due to bad weather. Indeed some of the sites are just as good, if not better, in the low season. October also brings heavy rains to the Andaman Sea.

The liveaboard season runs from early October through to mid May. There are also a limited number of liveaboard safari cruises to the Phi Phi Islands and Similan Islands all the year round, although the unpredictable weather patterns during the months from May to October can lead to cancellations.

Reef Basics

Great for: Small animals, reef life and health, beginner divers, diving value-for-money, snorkelling and non-diving activities
Not so Great for:
Depth: 5 - 40m
Visibility: 5 - 40m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Calm to moderate
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites: ~30
Access: Phuket liveaboard cruises and day tours
Recommended length of stay: 1 week, or 2 - 3 weeks to dive all destinations that are accessible from here

Dive Sites

More detailed information on the Phuket diving sites:

Dive The World Recommendations: Racha Noi and Shark Point.

Other sites that are dived on liveaboards and local day trips from Phuket

Other destinations that can be visited on liveaboard charters from Phuket:

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