Thailand Guide
Southern Thailand: the Andaman coast
Diving off Phuket
The reefs and islands within sailing distance of Phuket rate among the most spectacular in the world, and diving and snorkelling trips are both good value and hugely popular. Many dive centres run trips year-round, though some of the more remote islands and reefs become too dangerous to reach during part or all of the monsoon season, roughly June to October.
Among the most popular dive sites are the marine sanctuary known as Shark Point (Hin Mu Sang), notable for soft corals, sea fans and leopard sharks; the submerged Anemone Reef, visited by lots of fish, including leopard sharks, tuna and barracuda; the spectacular reef walls at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, off Ko Lanta, and the wrecks and drop-offs around Ko Phi Phi.
Day-trips to the closest of the dive sites, including at least two dives, cost B3100–3900, while multi-day live-aboard cruises to the more distant top-rated reefs of Ko Similan and Ko Surin, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, and the Mergui archipelago cost around B33,000 for four days, including sixteen dives and full board but excluding equipment and national park fees.
For learners, prices range from an average B3300 for a one-day introductory diving course to B12,000–15,000 for the four-day Openwater course, including equipment.