Phuket:
South of Phuket there are a number of excellent dive sites scattered over an area that incorporates the islands of Koh Phi Phi, Racha Yai and Racha Noi. These dive sites are accessible by day boat from Phuket. Divers are met from their hotel in Phuket and are then taken down to Chalong pier to join MV Scuba. Each dive day includes breakfast and lunch on board the day boat, along with fruits, coffee, tea and water.
Dive sites:
 Located 45 km east of Phuket, the Phi Phi Island group is one of the most sensationally beautiful island chains in the world. The islands dramatic limestone cliffs border a number of beautiful bays and underwater have formed into extensive caves and overhangs. These protect an incredible range of hard and soft corals, which are the habitat to large numbers of scorpion and lionfish. Vertical walls plunge from the surface to over 25 metres and support beautiful soft corals and sea whips.
Several species of unusual coral inhabit the reefs including both the exotically formed white bush coral as well as increasingly rare black coral. In many places, the islands are fringed with hard-coral gardens, home to a wide variety of colourful reef fish. Most of the fish species that inhabit the Similans can be encountered around Ko Phi Phi as well.
Shark Point and Anemone Reef:
By far the most popular dives sites by day trip from Phuket or Phi Phi, these two pinnacles are located approximately 25 kilometres east of Chalong Bay in Phuket. Given official marine sanctuary status in 1992, these sites are superb day boat sites. The rock is teeming with life; the sheer density of marine life makes diving here a wonderful experience. Shark Point rises out of the water from surrounding depths of around 18-20 metres.
Racha yai and Racha Noi:
Racha Yai’s best diving is off its east coast, which makes it particularly attractive during Phuket’s off-peak summer season. Although visibility varies, it can be as good as 25 metres or more. A typical dive is a gentle drift along a sloping rocky face that is sprinkled with hard coral forests. Especially conspicuous are the stag-horn corals. Large schools of barracuda can often be spotted hovering over the reef, while on the reef itself you will see octopus and cuttlefish in addition to more common tropical species.
Divers of all levels of experience and snorkellers can enjoy the gentle conditions at Ko Racha Yai, where depths range from 3 – 30 metres. Ko Racha Noi is for more experienced divers, as the diving depths are generally greater and are exposed to strong currents. The northern tip features a large pinnacle, which attracts a large amount of marine life. |
Accommodation: