Everything You Need to Know About Diving in Phuket

Phuket is regarded as one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. If you’ve ever been to the island or simply seen a photograph of the water here, it’s surprising– the emerald green sea makes diving a transcendent experience. The Andaman Sea is teeming with exotic wildlife, from the coral reefs around the Phi Phi Islands to the indigenous whale sharks at Shark Point. If you’re planning a trip to Phuket, a scuba diving excursion is a must. Whether you’re a beginner and need lessons or are a seasoned diver, there are numerous centers here which provide excellent coaching, safe equipment and value-for-money. 

 

Read more to learn everything you need to know about diving in Phuket.

 

1st Time Diving

If you’re a beginner or are diving for the first time, we recommend doing some research and booking a day excursion to begin with. There are 50 dive centers and hundreds of dive boats around Phuket offering day-trips, so you’ll have plenty of options regardless of where your apartment rental or hotel is. Chalong Bay is Phuket’s main diving port, where you can easily arrange a dive trip to Racha Yai and the Noi Islands – these are the most popular sites for beginners. 

 

Staying in Phuket for a week or more? You might be interested in getting your PADI certification, which gives you full license to dive anywhere in the world. These cost approximately 13,000 THB and are very popular among visitors to Phuket. Most of the dive centers here will offer accreditation and will usually take 3-4 days to complete. You may also be interested in finding condo for rent if you are planning a long term stay in Phuket.

Daytrip Dive Sites

The region to the northwest of Phuket is fast becoming recognized as one of the top dive sites in the world. As you’ll discover with the list below, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to electing a spot for your trip. Read below to discover the unique attractions of each site. 

 

Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Islands offer some of the most beautiful, turquoise diving waters in Thailand. The underwater scenery is gorgeous and excellent for diving – you can navigate through caves, swim-throughs and majestic rock formations. 

 

Anemone Reef

The King Cruiser was a passenger ferry that hit the Anemone Reef and plunged into the sea twenty years ago. The ship-wreck has made Anemone Reef the only dive site with a real ship-wreck to explore. You’ll see fish, crabs and other species taking up residence across the deck and cabins of the ship, while the corals of the reef are also great to explore.

 

Shark Point

The main diving attraction here is of course, the sharks. Shark Point is famous for the local leopard sharks which are found resting on the sandy seafloor. Not to worry – they’re docile.

 

Richelieu Rock

Richelieu Rock is located near the Surin Islands, close to the border of Burma. The main attraction here is the whale shark. It’s one of the best places in the world for divers to swim side by side with these gentle beasts, which grow up to 20 meters long. It’s one of the largest species of fish anywhere, and is found right here in Phuket, sighted 70% of the time throughout the year.

 

Koh Dok Mai

Located about 25 kilometers from Phuket, Koh Dok Mai is a small jungle island densely populated with lush vegetation. The huge limestone rocks that form out of the sea are iconic – you’ll recognize them on your boat ride there. The wall dives are what this island is famous for, with underwater cliffs, corals and the resident Moray Eels. Divers also love exploring the many caves that are located around the wall.

Dive Centers

Diving is very popular in Phuket and there are around 50 dive centers scattered across the island. We recommend doing your research and choosing a reputable one to ensure that the equipment is well-maintained and instructors are experienced. Most of them will offer PADI certification, while offering you access to some of the best dive sites around the islands.  If your condo is in Patong beach, Aussie Divers Phuket offers fantastic excursions to the Similan Islands. If you’re around Kata, Dive Asia is an institution that has been arranging dive trips for up to 20 years. Sea Fun Divers is also another reputable dive center which offers a range of courses and certifications for both beginners and professionals.

 

A Dip for The Kids

Scuba diving is a wonderful activity that the whole family can partake in. Many of the dive centers around Phuket offer certification programs for children, where they’re taught basic diving skills in swimming pools. If your children are over 10 years old, they can dive with you to a depth of 12 meters and enjoy all the gorgeous marine life of the Andaman Sea.

 

From world-class diving experiences to exploring one of Thailand’s most beautiful islands, there’s so much to do in Phuket. If you’re planning a trip to the Pearl of the Andaman, we have plenty of Phuket long term rental options for you to choose from. Get in touch with us at Rental for the Holidays to begin planning your journey to Phuket.