Ko Racha, to the south of Phuket some 2 hours by motor boat, has dives down to 30m (98ft) and a visibility range of 20-40m (65-131ft). 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 can occasionally be seen, in addition to varied tropical marine life.
Shark Point and Ko Dok Mai, approximately 1.5hrs east of Phuket by motor boat, are beyond doubt two of the most popular dive sites in the area. Shark Point, a submerged reef, is a favorite sleeping spot for leopard sharks and sting rays. More daring divers have been hand feeding moray eels and leopard sharks (not with the diver’s own limbs). The visibility at Shark Point is 10-22m (33-72ft) with dives down to 25m (82ft).
The island of Dok Mai offers dives down to 30m (98ft) with visibility of 10-25m (33-82ft). In addition to a variety of coral this dive site offers an impressive wall dive and a number of cave dives.
The Phi Phi Islands (Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lek), some 40km (25mi) southeast of Phuket and about 2hrs by motor boat, are among the most beautiful islands in the world. They also have some excellent dive sites between 10m and 30m (33 and 98ft), with a visibility of 15m-25m (49-82ft). In particular, the islands offer several cave dives and many impressive wall dives. In addition there are many hard and soft corals and an abundant marine life. In the tropical reefs one can see, among other fish, white tip sharks, sting rays and moray eels.
Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are a group of nine virtually uninhabited tropic islands approximately 80 kilometers (50mi) northwest of Phuket. The group was declared a Marine National Park and increasing efforts are being made to keep them in their present pristine condition. The islands encompass some of the best dive venues in Thailand.
The dive possibilities range from viewing coral gardens to adventurous drift diving in strong currents. In the judgement of Asia Magazine (issue of October 18 to 20, 1991: "Every diver has particular favorites, but few would dispute that the Similans... are one of the best. The visibility tops 100 feet between the November-April peak season, revealing a wonder world among the giant granite coral-coated boulders stacked one atop the other to depths of 90 feet and more."
Ko Huyong, the southernmost island of the Similan group offers a magnificent coral garden in 7-14m (23-46ft) depth. The garden consists of many varieties of soft and hard corals and abounds with small colorful coral fish. This site frequently has over 30m (98ft) visibility, only slight currents and is considered a very safe site.
An extensive reef runs off another of the southern islands and provides at least 4 different dive sites. One bottoms out at 25m (82ft) and has many large rocks which provide a most interesting contour; many large schools of fish inhabit the area. Another part of the reef has an excellent 20m (65ft) dive, with a lot of small lava type rocks which provide a home for colorful anemones, hydroids and soft coral as well as moray eels and red grouper. The visibility is seldom less than 30m (98ft) and frequently more. There is often a strong current here, a good site for drift dives.
The central island of the group, Ko Miang, is the only island which is inhabited. There is also a number of excellent dive sites around this and the small adjoining island including one which features huge boulders leaning together forming many interesting tunnels and small caverns. This dive often has a strong surge which attracts a large variety of marine life. Small white tip sharks, rays, snapper and turtles are just a few of the species of marine life at this site.
An excellent night dive site is just around the corner and close to a safe overnight anchorage and a beautiful white sand beach. This dive site is a coral drop-off and depths range from 10m-20m (33-66ft). The almost complete absence of currents is what makes it ideal for night dives. Lobster and large red crabs are usually seen here.
Hin Pousar or Elephant Rock is one of the best known dive locations of the area; it has at least 3 more excellent sites. There are again many big holes and caverns created by the unusual rock formations. Anemones and coral provide a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows, blues and browns. Frequently large rays, tuna or barracuda can be seen.
Further to the north lies an off-shore reef which comes up to within 8m (26ft) of the surface and drops off to over 35m (114ft). More tunnels, hollows and chimneys provide a site that never fails to impress even the most experienced diver. Two large sea cod and a huge resident moray eel add to the many interests of this site. Seldom is the visibility less than 25m (82ft) and usually much more.
These are only a few of the many dive sites available in the Similan archipelago. Each island provides its own special sites and there is something to be found to interest both the novice diver and the much traveled diver.
Similar conditions can be found at Surin islands and Tarutao Marine National Park (see entry under Satun) though no regular trips to these island groupings are yet available.
Tours to the Similans generally last five days, though some are much longer in order to explore other nearby islands including the Surin group, some 30km (19mi) to the north. For accommodation, divers have the choice of tents, dormitory bungalows and on-board berths. During the trip all meals are provided and at least nine individual dives are organized.
Dive Shops
Fantasea Divers
Patong Beach, PO Box 74, Tel 32-1309
Tlx 69513 SHPSERV TH, attn. Fantasea
Mr Maarten Brusselers (Dutch)
Languages: Dutch, English
Marina Sports
International and Diving Sports Center
Marina Cottage, Kata Karon Beach
Tel 21-2901 to 4 Ext Marina
PHO Box 143, Tlx 69513 SHPSERV TH
Mr Frank Lamine (German)
Languages: English, German
Ocean Divers
Patong Beach Hotel, Tel 32-1186
Mr Prasert Banmuang (Thai)
Languages: Thai, English
Phuket Aquatic Safari
62/9 Rasada Center, Rasada Rd
Tel 21-8582, Tlx 65533 TAFCO TH
Mr Peter Lee (Malay)
Languages: English, Chinese
Phuket Divers
7/70 Phunphon Rd, Tel 21-5738
Tlx 85543 PKDIVER TH
Mr Verrasak Eamsakulrat (Thai)
Languages: Thai, English
Phuket International Diving Center
Coral Beach Hotel, Tel 32-1108 to 15
Mr Eric Dohlon (Swedish)
Le Meridien Hotel
Tel 32-1480 to 5 Ext 1822, Fax 32-1479
Tlx MERIHKT 69542 TH
Mr Guy (Charlie) Lidureau (French)
Languages: French, English
Poseidon Memrod Club
Phuket Island Resort, Tel 21-5950 to 5
Fax 21-5956, Tlx 89555 ISLAND
Mr Klaus Orlik (German)
Languages: English, German, Spanish, Italian
Santana
Patong Beach, PHO Box 79, Tel 32-1360
Kata Beach, Tel 29-2901 to 4 Ext 105
Mr Horst Hinrichs (German)
Mr Dieter Eichler (German)
Languages: English and German
Siam Diving Center
Kata Karon Beach, PHO Box 244
Tel 21-2901 to 4 Ext 014
Tlx 65542 SIMILAN TH, attn. Siam Dive
Mr Matthew Hedrick (American)
Language: English
South East Asia
89/71 Thawiwong Rd, Patong Beach
PHO Box 199, Tel 32-1292
Tlx 65542 Similan TH
Mr Dave Owen (English)
Language: English
