Phuket, Thailand's largest island, is the natural base of operations for divining in the Andaman Sea. I may say Phuket is the diving hub of Andaman Sea: e.g. Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Phi Phi Islands, Islands in Trang and Satun. Phuket itself offers a wealth of facilities, while at the same time it lends access to all the islands of the Andaman-many of them archetypal desert isles, virtual magnets for both divers and sailors.
Diving Sites:
* Koh Racha Noi and Yai
* King Cruiser Wreck
Hundreds of luxury hotels located along the west coast. Book early especially during the peak season (normally Nov - Apr).
Accommodation:
(recommended)
*
Kata Garden
Resort
*
Patong Lodge
Koh Similan
These nine small islands
have a reputation as one
of the best diving
destinations in the
world. This is in part
because of the variety
they offer.
Aside from coral walls
and deep dives with huge
sea fans, barrel
sponges, and big fish,
the bottom topography is
often fantastic. Huge
granite boulders
overgrown with coral and
algae lie jumbled
together all the way
from the surface to 40
meters and beyond,
providing lots of
interesting swim
through-canyons,
archways, and caves.
(The western sides of
the islands are kept
largely clear of sand by
currents; the east and
south sides tend to have
more beaches, and the
underwater boulders are
generally buried in
sand). Not only that,
there are plenty of
shallow corals to keep
skin divers happy. The
Similans also have the
richest variety and
abundance of reef fish
in Thai water (except,
perhaps, for the Hin
Daeng to Hin Muang
area). Deep-water
creatures-manta rays and
whale sharks-also visit
the area, particularly
in the late March to
early April season, when
upwelling of
nutrient-rich water
cause planktonic blooms.
Water clarity is
generally very good.
Local dive shops claim
visibility of up to 30
meters and more, though
we have seen no better
than 25 meters.
Until a few years ago,
the Similans were
Thailand’s real diving
frontier. Now, they are
a stepping-of point for
more distant frontiers
still-destinations such
as the Surins and the
Burma Banks.
Location
This marine national
park, a group of nine
small islands (Similan
is derived from seminal,
which is “nine in
Malay), lies 52 miles
northwest of Phuket.
Access
Divers normally explore
the Similans from
live-aboard dive boats
or else make day-trips
from Phuket. The Thai
government does provides
basic bungalow
accommodation on two of
the islands (Koh Miang
and Koh Similan), but
there are minimal
facilities, and nothing
for the diver.
Sea and Weather
Conditions
Dive mainly during the
NE monsoon (November –
May), although strong
winds may come up during
early December. With
favorable weather
forecasts, trip from
Phuket or Thap Lamu are
possible during the low
season.
Southeast Point, Island
Koh Huyong
Location
Lying 52 miles northwest
of Phuket, Koh Huyong is
also located 5 miles
south of Koh Miang.
Access
Approach from seaward.
Live-boat dives
Accommodation:
(recommended)
*
Phranang
Tour
