Diving - Phuket
Phuket is a long established location for dive enthusiast and those who want to learn. There are a number of reputable diving schools and tour operators that cater to all levels and experience. Most diving takes place on the islands in Phuket province, a day trip from the main Island of Phuket. There are countless incredible places to choose from. We have listed 5 of our favourites.
1. Anemone Reef
90 minutes from Phuket, this huge lime-stone pinnacle soars 30 meters from the seafloor to just beneath the surface of the water. A well known shipping hazard, the site is famous for the thousands of sea anemones that cling to every surface. The anemones are a tasty snack, attracting huge schools of tropical fish, snapper and grouper. Larger fish including tuna and barracuda are sometimes sighted. The reef is also famous for large groups of lion fish.
2. King Cruiser Wreck
90 minutes from shore and between 12 and 30 metres deep, the ‘King Cruiser’ is an exciting dive to explore. The 85-metre passenger ferry ran onto the reef here in May 1997. The large open spaces and ship decks are now home to large numbers of fish and crabs.
3. Koh Dok Mai
This solid limestone, jungle topped island is considered one of the best wall dives in the area. On three sides the sheer walls are home to an array of sea creatures including friendly Moray eels. The west side explodes with colourful seal life and coral. A short dive, most make a stop here during day-trips to Shark Point and Anemone Reef.
4. Phi Phi Islands
Up to two hours from Phuket are the idyllic islands of Phi Phi. Famous for diving, limestone cliffs jut from the sea. These rock formations are bursting with caves, overhangs, and swim-throughs. 25 metre vertical walls of solid limestone plummet into the depths of the sea. Phi Phi Islands offer a huge variety of dive sites concentrated in a small area. One of the most popular is located at the Southern tip of the small island of Koh Bida Nok. Huge stag horn and star corals are dominant here, accompanied by colourful reef fish.
5. Shark Point
Shark Point (known locally as Hin Musang) is probably the most popular local dive site due to its vast size and abundant wildlife. 90 minutes from Phuket and part of the Marine Sanctuary, Shark Point is named after the mellow Leopard Sharks that rest on seafloor. Beneath the surface of this modest rock lies a multi-colored reef teeming with life. This large site can take days to explore.
Things to do:
Bangla Road (Patong)
Patong is the undisputed nightlife capital of the island. At night Bangla Road becomes a neon-lit party paradise. Beer bars, go-go bars, nightclubs, massage parlours, cabaret shows and literally hundreds of restaurants serving every cuisine imaginable line the street and side streets. For many tourists, this is their first and only stop when it comes to night-time entertainment.
Shows and cabaret
Thailand is famous for its ladyboys and the performances in Phuket are some of the best in Thailand. A great night out, the shows are glamorous and glitzy, the ladyboys fierce and the music an explosion of pop hits. Simon Cabaret and Aphrodite are the most popular family friendly venues. Soi Paradise and Soi Katoey hold some of the raunchier adult themed shows.
Surfing
The West Coast surfing season runs from around April to November and is starting to make a name for itself. Waves are maximum 3 metre which makes it a good place to learn. Surfing here isn’t limited to beginners though. A number of well-known surfers have been spotted in the area as it continues to grow in popularity. Take a look at our quick guide to surfing in Phuket.
