Liveaboards are still one of the best ways to dive in Phuket,
although they are not available all year round. It is a good experience in
terms of diving and something off the beaten track. From personal experience, I
highly recommend a liveaboard to one of the destinations featured below. One
important point here: liveaboards season vary every year, but most start from
November until June. Schedules and availability are subjected to frequent
changes so if you need the latest information, please send me an
email
here.
The Similan
Islands
Surin Archipelago and Richeliu
Rock
Hin Daeng and Hin Muang
Mergui Archipelago (Burma Banks)
| Site Orientation |
A protected National Marine Park, and one of the BEST dive sites in the world. Divers should exercise good buoyancy control so as not to damage any corals. |
 |
| Location |
55 nautical miles north-east of Phuket |
|
| Depth |
5 to 40 metres |
|
| Water Visibility |
20 to 50 metres |
|
| Current Conditions |
Weak to moderate |
|
| Marine Life |
More than 500 species of soft and hard corals, a favourite feeding ground for manta rays and whale sharks. Giant green turtles, sharks, eagle rays, whiprays and a giant humphead parrotfish was spotted during my last dive there in April 2001. |
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THE SURIN ARCHIPELAGO AND RICHELIEU ROCK
| Site Orientation |
The Surin archipelago is made up of 5 islands throughout Koh Tachai and Koh Bon. Richelieu Rock is a submerged pinnacle east of Surin. Diving conditions in these sites can be rough here. |
 |
| Location |
110 nautical miles north-west of Phuket |
|
| Depth |
5 to 40 metres |
|
| Water Visibility |
10 to 50 metres |
|
| Current Conditions |
Can be strong |
|
| Marine Life |
Besides other impressive marine life, this site is also a favourite spot for sighting manta rays and whale sharks in January and February. |
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| Site Orientation |
Not as well-known as Similan Island, but offer equally amazing marine life. Hin Daeng is a rock with an incredible drop off down to 50 meters, and the reefs around it teemed with marine life. Hin Muang also boosts colourful coral reefs is a favourite spot for observing big marine creatures. |
 |
| Location |
65 Nautical Miles south-east of Phuket |
|
| Depth |
5 to 50 metres |
|
| Visibility |
10 to 50 metres |
|
| Current Conditions |
Can be strong |
|
| Marine Life |
Giant groupas, whale sharks, silvertip shark, big rays and manta rays. |
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MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO (BURMA BANKS)
| Site Orientation |
The Mergui Archipelago, or Burma Banks, offers almost virgin reefs to dive in. Coral life was said to be not as impressive as Similan Islands, but this site is a favourite spot for the BIG ones. |
| Location |
Southern west tip of Burma (or Myanmar). |
| Depth |
5 to 50 metres |
| Water Visibility |
10 to 50 metres |
| Current Conditions |
Can be strong |
| Marine Life |
Adult tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, mantas, nurse sharks and almost all things big (in size or in groups). |
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