Phuket is the second largest island in Thailand, and is located approximately 850 kilometres from Bangkok. Known as the "Pearl of the Andamans". Phuket is a large island which is located on the eastern edges of the Andaman Sea, and which is only connected to mainland Thailand via a bridge at Phuket's northernmost tip.
Whilst Phuket has seen a huge amount of development in recent years, the island has still managed to retain a large part of its authentic charm. Inland, the island is still covered in dense jungle growth scattered across steep hillsides, a factor which has ensured the control of the more tourist focused development. Throughout the island, Phuket has a rather liberal scattering of excellent beaches, and in particular the southern and western coasts offer great, high quality beaches.
Phuket is now one of the most popular tourist destination in South East Asia, and is by far the most popular scuba diving destination in Thailand. Surrounded by over 32 islands, and with the Andaman Sea to the South and the West, and Phang-Nga Bay to the East, the region has a large number of dive locations at its disposal. For those people seeking a more specialist scuba diving vacation, Phuket is also home to one of Asia's largest liveaboard industries, and each day liveaboards leave Phuket heading for the more distant dive sites in the Andaman Sea and Burma Banks.
The rest of the diving in Phuket tends to take place on the nearby islands and rocky outcrops that are scattered across the nearby Andaman Sea and Phang-Nga Bay. The dives are predominantly focused in two main areas, the Racha Islands (Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi), and the more easterly dive sites around Ao Phang Nga, all of which are accessed via day boats out of Phuket.
Of all the dive sites in the region, the most popular site is at the marine sanctuary at Shark Point. Located approximately 16 miles east of Chalong Bay, and just north of Anenome Reef, Shark Point is named after the population of Leopard Sharks which inhabit the area, and which are often seen resting on the sandy bottom here.
Shark Reef itself comprises of three main pinnacles, and is renowned for its colourful reefs which are literally teeming with marine life. Across all three of the main sections, giant barrel sponges, sea whips, black corals, and gorgonians can all be found. Large numbers of Jacks, Trevally, Barracuda and Honeycomb Groupers also inhabit the area, making it one of the most rewarding dive sites in Phuket.
Phuket has two main seasons, the dry and the rainy. The dry season lasts from November through to April, when average temperatures will range between 30 - 34 degrees centigrade. The rainy season runs from May to October, during which time the Monsoon blows in from the southwest.
Overall Phuket offers some excellent dive locations, and despite the visibility on the sites close to the shore, the superb coral reefs and prolific marine life at the more distant dive sites more than make up for it. There are a large number of excellent dive operators in Phuket, who are experienced, and with a good standard of facilities. If you are preparing to travel to Phuket, and are looking into doing a number of dives, do speak with a number of the local liveaboard operators, whose offerings can range from a two day safari to upwards of a week. These liveaboards will give you access to the more remote dive sites in the Andaman Sea and the Burma Banks and can be a highly rewarding experience.
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