Phuket Island has some decent dive sites and the largest diving center in Thailand. The reefs around the area are in a healthy condition with both solid and colorfully soft corals. There is also an abundance of marine life. Most of the dive locations are suitable for all levels of divers but there are also some that are quite deep.

The most well-known dive site in the Phuket area is Racha Yai with its sloping rocky reefs and its plenitude of solid coral forests. There is also Ter Bay where there is an exciting wreck in the depths of 25-35 meters. The area south Racha Yai, Racha Noi, is a haven for experienced divers as the depths are greater and the currents stronger. The overall topography is strikingly different from Racha Yai with huge granite boulders. The diving in Racha Noi compared to Racha Yai is definitely more challenging but the rewards are far greater.

Just off Phuket, is the limestone island of Koh Doc Mai that soars vertically from the sea-bed. It is home to a diversity of fish and offers the opportunity to view leopard sharks, moray eels, octopus and turtles. Further afield, most particularly around the ever popular Phi Phi Islands in neighboring Krabi province, some 2 hours east of Phuket, and the Similan Islands, in Phang-nga province, some 110km northwest of Phuket, and the Raya Islands, 1-3 hours due south of Phuket, depending on the type of boat. Diving in Phuket’s warm clear blue waters is best from mid-October to May, when the calm seas and rain free days make Phuket diving a truly unique experience.

Scuba Operators

• Kon-Tiki Phuket Diving & Snorkeling Center. 30 years of experience in Thailand catering divers and snorkelers from around the world. PADI 5 star dive center & GoEco operator. Daily diving and snorkeling trips to Phi Phi Islands, Racha Islands, Shark point and Similan Islands.
• Dive Asia, Phuket's first Padi 5 Star CDC Center, offers a full range of diving services: liveaboards to the Similan/Surin National Parks, daytrips to Phuket's local dive sites and Padi diving courses and IDCs.
• MV Philkade, Luxury Liveaboard to Similan, Surin, Phi Phi & Hin Daeng as well as day trips to all Phuket dive sites and training from try dives to PADI professional level.
• Sunrise Divers, PADI 5 Star Dive Resort specialising in Liveaboards.
• Just Dive It Connects to Worldwide dive and sail with longer liveaboards to the Similan and Surin National Parks.
• MV Atitara, affordable luxury on board MV Atitara to Phuket's major local dive sites. Also offer PADI scuba diver training courses to meet all your diving needs!
• ALOHA offers snorkeling rental gear, SNUBA diving, and scuba diving courses for all ages and abilities.
• West Coast Divers Similan Diving Liveaboards and overnight adventures to the Similan and Surin Islands
• Thailand Divers, Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand. Tel: 0 7629 2052
• Tec Divers, Phuket, Thailand.
• Santana, Diving and Snorkeling Patong Beach, Padi 5 Star IDC Center, 30 years of experience, English and German instructors available. Daily (Day)-Trips and (MV Discovery) LiveAboards, PADI Courses, Gear Rental.