Dream Destination. Leisurely Lifestyle. Divers Delight. Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is popular with holidaymakers and an expat haven for people retiring in Thailand or those aspiring to work and live in Phuket.
There are so many things to do in Phuket. Think – water sports galore, vibrant nightlife, eating in mom-and-pop stalls to international fine dining restaurants, fresh produce markets, sandy beaches and turquoise waters, hilltop temples, trekking, sunset chilling, and more. Residents enjoy excellent sporting clubs and fitness centres, cycling, tennis, football, dancing, volunteering, and socializing with like-minded people. And it’s a scuba diving paradise.
For underwater enthusiasts, Phuket offers warm tropical waters, amazing sea life and corals, mild currents and near year-round scuba diving. Phuket boasts many fantastic dive sites on tropical reefs suitable for beginners to advanced divers. Reputable Dive Shops offer PADI certification and day and liveaboard trips.
Popular Dive Spots by Day Trip
Racha Yai
Approximately 1.5 hours by speedboat from Chalong Bay, it is the closest to Phuket. Providing a range of marine life, it is popular with beginner divers and those brushing up their skills. The most popular site is Harruby, between Bay 1 and 2. Although Racha Yai and Noi sustained coral bleaching in 2010, they are recovering Racha Noi more quickly.
Racha Noi
Another 40 minutes south, this island offers a great opportunity of spotting manta rays. It also has good visibility up to 30 metres. Banana Bay is one of several excellent dive sites.
Phi Phi
These stunning islands are must-do for divers and suitable for all levels. Colourful coral and a profusion of sea life, including blacktip reef sharks, leopard sharks and turtles, make the location appealing to snorkelers as well. Popular sites include Koh Bida Nok, Koh Bida Nai, Phi Phi Ley – Palong bays, Maya Corner and Whale Shark Wall. Above the water, the islands are simply stunning.
Sharkpoint
Often combined with Phi Phi trips. It comprises three main pinnacles and is home to the Giant Gorgonian Fan Coral, barrel sponges and swaying anemones, and a great mix of sea creatures, like bamboo sharks and banded sea snakes.
Anemone Reef
Featuring anemones on a submerged pinnacle, divers frequently spy lionfish, clownfish, moray eels, and reef sharks. The site is more suited to experienced divers.
King Cruiser Wreck
The passenger ferry operating between Phuket and Phi Phi struck Anemone Reef in 1997. Thankfully, all passengers survived the disaster. This advanced dive site can sometimes have strong currents and poor visibility. However, at the right time, vast schools of snapper, barracuda, fusiliers, rabbitfish and goatfish are present. The wreck can no longer be penetrated, and beware black Diadema sea urchins.
Koh Dok Mai
The photographer’s dream dive site, the Wall Dive, is alive with macro marine life. Sometimes hampered by strong currents, this is a slow pace dive, checking nooks and crevices for small critters lurking, including yellow tiger-tail seahorses, harlequin ghost pipefish, and nudibranchs.
Top Dive Spots by Liveaboard Trips
As some fantastic dive spots take considerable time to get to, it makes sense to liveaboard, plus the memorable experience of living on the water.
Similan Marine National Park
Considered one of the world’s top 10 diving destinations, nine islands comprise the marine park. It offers diverse sites of long coral reefs like East of Eden to rocky outcrops like the acclaimed Elephant Head Rock. Richelieu Rock is arguably the best dive site in Thailand. Koh Bon is home to octopus, cuttlefish, barracuda, shrimps and a range of corals, to name a few. The park is closed from May to October.
Southern Andaman
Hin Daeng, Hin Muang and Koh Haa offer superb opportunities to observe large sea animals, including manta rays and whale sharks.
Where to Live on Phuket
For the diving enthusiast, consider that many day trips depart from Chalong Bay, in the island’s southeast. If you have your own power boat, perhaps choose somewhere closer to the marinas on the east coast. Koh Samui also presents fabulous scuba diving if you prefer a smaller island.
However, many other factors come into play, such as easy access to shops, restaurants, entertainment, recreational facilities, international schools, medical facilities, requirements under the long-term resident visa, and so forth. Many expats shy away from the busy tourist zone, turning to Chalong, Kathu, Rawai, Bang Tao, and Laguna.
If you are thinking of the best places to invest in Phuket, buying off-plan in solid growth areas like Naiyang, Naithon and Layan may be a good option.
Our Lazudi agents have an excellent knowledge of Phuket and can help you find the right place for you, whether you want to rent, sell, buy to live in or invest in Thailand.
