Explore the Amazing Secrets of Scuba Diving Destinations in Phuket!

Is scuba diving on your bucket list? Then it may be time to go on a scuba diving holiday in Phuket—one of the best spots in the world for underwater adventures. There are lots of amazing ‘secret’ scuba diving destinations in Phuket waiting to be explored. Among those are the wonderful marine sanctuaries in the Andaman region, including the Similan Islands, the very popular Richelieu Rock, and Koh Bon.

The Similan Islands (roughly 62 miles northwest of Phuket) is one of the top dive destinations in the world. Declared a National Park in the early 80’s, the Similans are comprised of granite islands and numerous rock outcroppings, with tropical jungle and white beaches above the water and remarkable dive sites in clear, warm waters below the surface.

Richelieu Rock (about 50 nautical miles north of Similan) is also a very popular diving site that is frequented by scuba divers from Asia and Europe. It is known the top destination for whale shark live aboard safaris. The surrounding nutrient-rich deep sea makes for excellent diving because the plankton blooms attract thousands of fish. Because it is such a large site, it can be dived many times over without covering the same area more than once. Combine this with its superb bio diversity and it’s easy to see why Richelieu Rock is one of the top dive sites in Thailand and a liveaboard diving favorite.

Koh Bon (located about 20 km north of Similan) is also popular because it is home to gigantic Manta Rays that can be seen up close almost all year round. Leopard sharks are also quite common, and white tip sharks roam the depths of the reef. Diving likewise allows you to marvel at the soft corals, damselfish, titan triggerfish, and wall critters to keep you entertained (including all kinds of moray eels).

If you want to visit Phuket for a scuba diving experience, it is best that you connect with a PADI-accredited company that offers liveaboard diving packages. Whether you’re on a budget or want to go all out in terms of luxury, there is a liveaboard holiday package for you. A good scuba diving holiday coordinator can ensure your safety and satisfaction for her duration of your trip, ensuring that you get to experience whichever dive sites you wish to visit.

This article is written by Christopher Pace, the Platinum Padi Course Director at All4Diving. All4Diving is a leading academy in diving industry in Thailand.