Phuket is one of the finest dive bases in Asia, positioned within reach of dive sites that range from beginner-friendly reef gardens to world-class open-water encounters. The infrastructure for diving is well-developed, the operators are generally experienced, and the range of sites accessible within a day trip or a liveaboard makes the island a logical base for divers of any level.
The Racha Islands — 20 to 30 kilometres south of Phuket — are the most popular day-dive destination from the island. Koh Racha Yai suits all certification levels: Batok Bay has clear water, manageable depth, and good coral and fish coverage including regular turtle sightings. The western and northern walls of Koh Racha Noi are for advanced divers: stronger current, deeper profile, and the best chance in this immediate area of pelagic species including occasional reef sharks and eagle rays.
A submerged reef 24 kilometres southeast of Phuket, Shark Point is named for its regular leopard shark population — large, docile, and frequently resting on the sandy bottom between coral outcrops. The reef itself is complex, with anemone-covered pinnacles, significant soft coral coverage, and good visibility in most conditions. Suitable for open-water certified divers and above.
Adjacent to Shark Point, Anemone Reef is a submerged pinnacle densely covered in sea anemones and the clownfish that inhabit them — a more concentrated version of what snorkellers see at Phi Phi, at depth and with significantly more dramatic coral structure. Currents can be strong and the site is most suitable for open-water certified divers with some experience.
A ferry that sank in 1997 after striking Anemone Reef, the King Cruiser is now a well-established wreck dive at 12 to 32 metres. The structure has been colonised by coral and is home to lionfish, scorpionfish, batfish, and large grouper. A genuinely interesting dive for anyone who finds wreck environments compelling.
The Similan Islands, Surin Islands, and Richelieu Rock — 60 to 90 kilometres northwest of Phuket — represent the top tier of Andaman diving and are covered in detail in our Similan Islands guide. The Burma Banks and Myanmar Mergui Archipelago are accessible by liveaboard from Phuket for divers seeking genuinely remote, pristine environments.
The conditions around Koh Racha Yai make it an excellent training environment: warm, clear water, manageable depth, and calm enough for most of the year to allow consistent open-water training dives. PADI Open Water certification typically takes 3 to 4 days and costs significantly less in Phuket than at most Western dive destinations. Several reputable dive schools operate from Chalong Bay.
Look for PADI-certified operators, instructors who are happy to discuss their training and experience, boats that are properly equipped and maintained, and group sizes that allow genuine instructor attention during training dives. Smaller operations with long-standing local staff and verifiable TripAdvisor history are generally preferable to larger budget operators.
➤ Our boat trips complement dive days perfectly
— Captain Mark
Exceptional, uncrowded island day trips from Phuket. Family-owned and operated since 2004.
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