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Phuket is fortunate to be in the centre of one of the world's best
diving areas. Prospects at the local beaches are limited, however
short day trips can bring you to some spectacular sites.
For those with a little time to spare, the first class dive vessels
based here offer access to the Similan, Surin and Andaman Islands
and much more.
To the south of Phuket some two hours by motorboat, the unspoiled
island of Koh Racha offers dives down to 30 metres (98ft) and visibility
ranging between 20 and 40 metres (65 to 131 feet). In addition to
the excellent visibility, Racha's attractions include huge rock
formations, sloping coral reefs and steep drop-offs. From January
to March, manta rays and whale sharks may occasionally be encountered.
Shark Point and Koh Dok Mai, approximately an hour and a half east
of Phuket by motorboat, are two of the most popular dive sites in
the area. Shark Point, a submerged reef, is a favourite spot for
leopard sharks and stingrays. Daring divers have hand-fed moray
eels and leopard sharks here. The visibility at Shark Point is 10
to 22 metres (33 to 72feet) with dives down to 25 metres (82ft).
The island of Dok Mai offers dives down to 30m (98ft) with visibility
of 10 to 25 metres (33 to 82 feett). In addition to a variety of
corals, this dive site offers an impressive wall dive and a number
of cave dives.
The Phi
Phi Islands (Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley), some 40 km (25 miles)
southeast of Phuket and about two hours by motorboat, are among
the most beautiful islands in the world. They also have some excellent
dive sites between 10 and 30 metres (33 and 98 feet), with visibility
extending from 15 to 25 metres (49 to 82 feet). In particular, the
islands offer several cave dives and many impressive wall dives.
In addition, there are many hard and soft corals and an abundance
of marine life. In the tropical reefs one can see, among other fish,
whitetip sharks, stingrays and moray eels.
Note: With new fast boats in the area, one day Similan dive trips
from Phuket are now also possible.
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