Koh Phuket is the largest dive center in Thailand and the main base for live-aboards heading for destinations in the Andaman Sea. Boats are kept busy taking people to various dive sites off the coast of Phuket. The best conditions are found around the outcrops, islets and islands off the south of Phuket since the currents here carry away algae and silt and the corals have more chance of flourishing. The reefs are generally in a healthy condition with good hard corals as well as colorful soft corals. There is no shortage of marine life and there is always the chance that you might bump into something really special...

So, let's take a look at some of the most popular dive sites.

1. Meridien Reef

Location: A shallow reef following the shoreline north from the Meridien Hotel Beach between Patong and Karon Beaches.
Access: Enter from the beach and simply follow the headland north or go by long tail (5 minutes).
Conditions: Visibility is poor, averaging 6m (20ft); at its best it reaches 12m (40ft). Currents are weak to moderate.
Average Depth: 7m (23ft)
Maximum Depth: 18m (86ft)

This site has comparatively few hard and soft corals and fish-life is only sporadically present - although you might discover a Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray beneath one of the rocks and very occasionally you might encounter a small Whitetip Reef Shark. Snorkellers can have more fun, following the fringing reef and seeing whatever there is to see. However, all these disadvantages make the site a very good one for training or for introducing new divers to scuba. Students can concentrate on learning to dive without their attention being distracted by deep waters, strong currents or too many fish!

2. Kata House Reef

Location: Around the headland at the western end of Kata Beach and through the narrow strait between Koh Phuket and Koh Pu.
Access: Enter the water from the beach or take a 5 minute trip in a long tail.
Conditions: Visibility is poor, averaging 6m (20ft); at its best it reaches 12m (40ft). Currents are weak to moderate.
Average Depth: 5m (16ft)
Maximum Depth: 12m (40ft)

Entry to the site of the beach brings you to the fringing reef, at a depth of 5m (16ft). As you follow it around the headland in a westerly direction the depth gradually increases to 12m (40ft). This is a training and introduction site similar to Meridien Reef but shallower and slightly more enjoyable. Barracuda, tuna, jacks and trevally are often present. The reef just breaks the surface in low water. Blue-spotted Ribbontail Rays and Whitetip Reef Sharks are sometimes seen. Reef-fish are present but tend to be scattered over the water rather than dominating particular areas. The site is accessible during inclement weather conditions and suitable for night-diving enthusiasts.

3. Koh Pu

Location: Just under 1km west of Kata House Reef.
Access: Generally by long tail boat: about 15min from Kata Beach. The best section is around the northern shoreline of this tiny islet. There is no buoy to indicate the entry point.
Conditions: Visibility ranges between 8m and 15m (23-50ft). Currents are weak to moderate.
Average Depth: 18m (60ft)
Maximum Depth: 24m (80ft)

The island is fringed with fallen rocks; these are larger around the northwest area, and are the main feature of the site. The spaces between some of the rocks offers swimthroughs; beneath the rocks are heaps of broken oyster shells, obscure nudibranchs and a few cowrie shells. There are no pelagics or big fish of note, but you are likely to see small schools of fusiliers and snappers, Moorish Idols, squirrelfish and rabbitfish.

4. Koh Dok Mai

Location: 10km west of Hin Musang.
Access: About 90min by dive boat from Chalong Bay. There is no mooring buoy.
Conditions: Visibility ranges between 8m (26ft) and above 25m (83ft). Currents can be strong but are generally moderate.
Average Depth: 19m (63ft)
Maximum Depth: 31m (103ft)

The east side of the island offers a wall rich in invertebrates and a good representation of tube corals. There are large moray eels, Black-banded Sea Snakes, Honeycomb Groupers and angelfish, and you have a good chance of seeing Leopard Sharks out on the sand. Bivalves cling to sea whips along the deeper sections of the wall. This eastern wall also features two caves. The walls and ceiling of the larger one are rich in soft corals, but it is best to remain outside, exploring the cave's interior safely by torch light. The western side of the island features a steeply sloping reef rather than the sheer drops that dominate elsewhere. Both Blacktip and Whitetip Reef Sharks have been seen here, and there are healthy seafans and barrel and encrusting sponges. Visiting pelagics are often seen.

5. Anemone Reef

Location: A completely submerged pinnacle consisting of numerous rocky ledges 30km due east of Chalong Bay on Koh Phuket.
Access: This designated Marine Sanctuary is reached in about 2hr from all the recognized departure points. A mooring buoy marks the site's location.
Conditions: Visibility ranges from as low as 4m (13ft) to about 25m (83ft). The full range of currents can be experienced, from mill-pond still to strong to ripping. The stronger currents are fairly predictable.
Average Depth: 17m (56ft)
Maximum Depth: 26m (86ft)

Anemone Reef is a small rocky plateau with a depth of about 4-7m (13-23ft) beneath the surface at the shallowest parts. As you might guess, the top part of the reef is smothered in sea anemones; there are many resident clownfish, shrimps and Porcelain Crabs. Elsewhere on the reef you find large clusters of soft corals and enormous gorgonian seafans - the latter sheltering dense groupings of Indian Lionfish. The site has a healthy cross-section of marine life, and is one of the few sites featuring Harlequin Ghost Pipefish. At its deepest point a solitary rock is home to a number of juvenile moray eels.

6. Hin Musang (Shark Point)

Location: A small rocky outcrop 1km southeast of Anemone Reef.
Access: This designated site is reached in about 2hr from all the recognized departure points. There are mooring buoys.
Conditions: Visibility ranges from as low as 4m (13ft) to about 25m (83ft). When currents flow you can drift-dive along the line of pinnacles.
Average Depth: 19m (63ft)
Maximum Depth: 24m (80ft)

This is justifiably considered one of the premier sites in the area and consequently there are always lots of divers here. A small rock outcrop standing proud of the water marks the spot - this is the top of the northernmost of the three main pinnacles here. All three are dense with colorful marine life, from giant barrel sponges, moray eels, lobsters, lionfish and even ornate ghost pipefish. Slightly to the west of the northern pinnacle is a large, spectacular arch saturated in the brilliant colors of the soft corals growing on its surfaces. Deeper down, the reef displays black coral, sea whips and gorgonians, with jacks, barracuda, snapper, trevally and mackerel patrolling the fringes. This site was named after the Leopard Sharks often found resting in the sandy sections.

7. King Cruiser Wreck

Location: 1km southeast of Anemone Reef.
Access: This wreck is reached in about 2hr from all the recognized departure points.
Conditions: If the tide is running, strong currents and low visibility can be expected; at slack tide the site experiences still and much clearer water.
Average Depth: 20m (66ft)
Maximum Depth: 32m (106ft)

In 1997 the King Cruiser, a car ferry, operating from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands, bottomed on Anemone Reef, splitting the Marine Sanctuary in two. The impact also tore a large hole in the vessel's hull. Today the structure attracts a high diversity of marine life; invertebrates have taken up residence under sheets of peeling paint and juvenile reef fish hover around the now barnacle-encrusted frame. Daylight penetrates the majority of the wreck, though there are some areas that can only be explored with an artificial light source. Beware that a few areas have collapsed ceilings - these should not be entered at all.

8. Koh Hi (Coral Island)

Location: The outer of two islands directly south of Chalong Bay.
Access: About 45min by dive boat from Chalong Bay. Its nearness and its relatively sheltered position mean virtually all year around diving.
Conditions: Visibility is low, with a maximum of about 12m (40ft). Currents are minimal. Beware of boat traffic, especially in the high season.
Average Depth: 14m (46ft)
Maximum Depth: 20m (66ft)

During the rainy season, Coral Island is the best diving destination from Phuket. The diving and snorkeling is at the eastern end of the northeastern beach. The sloping reef features mainly hard foilaceous corals interspersed with some bubble, staghorn and star corals. The maximum depth here is about 15m (50ft). The usual reef-fish, such as parrotfish and wrasse, are on display, along with urchins and a selections of nudibranchs. The south of the island is rockier, and this condition continues underwater. This is the best area to dive, not only in terms of safety (no threat from erratic jet skiers!) but also because there is a more diverse presence of marine life, plus healthier corals.

9. Koh Racha Yai - Bungalow Bay

Location: This picturesque island is 20km south of Phuket. Bungalow Bay is on its west coast.
Access: About 2hr by dive boat from Chalong Bay. There is no mooring buoy. Snorkellers can access the shallower parts of either reef from the beach.
Conditions: Visibility can exceed 25m (83ft). Currents are generally mild, but can increase in the waters further out in the bay.
Average Depth: 17m (56ft)
Maximum Depth: 30m (66ft)

Underwater, the western side of this island is slightly superior to the east. This particular site can be split, as you can choose to follow either of the bay's shorelines. The rocky formations visible above the surface continue underwater, with a good presence of reef-fish. Around the rocks swim surgeonfish and fusiliers, while below you can see inquisitive paired goatfish, nudibranchs, urchins and plenty of Blue-spotted Ribbontail Rays. Coral growth is on average better here than along the east coast.

10. Koh Racha Yai - Eastern Coast

Location: The island's eastern side can be considered as two sites: the first begins at the northeast tip and goes south; the second follows the southeastern apex of the island.
Access: About 2hr by dive boat from Chalong Bay. There is no mooring buoy. Access is by "live-boat" dive, after which the boat leaves the fringing reef to drop anchor.
Conditions: Visibility is in the region of 15-20m (50-66ft). Currents vary from weak to moderate.
Average Depth: 12m (40ft)
Maximum Depth: 22m (73ft)

Koh Racha Yai's eastern side consists of sloping hard coral reefs, mainly foliaceous corals. The shallower sections feature tables and smaller examples of leaf corals; the deeper waters have much the same species, but larger. Many featherstars, lionfish, puffers and a few parrotfish and wrasse are present. The site's southern end has the bonus of octopus and a greater display of reef creatures, including good-sized Titan Triggerfish and moray eels, plus a better selection of colorful fish and invertebrates. Leopard Sharks are sometimes seen.

11. Koh Racha Noi - Northern Tip

Location: The uninhabited island of Koh Racha Noi is 33km due south of Phuket. The outermost island of the Racha group. The dive follows around the northern tip of the island.
Access: About 2.5hrs by dive boat from Chalong Bay. There is no mooring buoy.
Conditions: Visibility can exceed 25m (83ft). Currents can be incredibly strong, both horizontally and, even more dangerously, downwards. These conditions limit the site to experienced divers.
Average Depth: 17m (56ft)
Maximum Depth: 30m (100ft)

This is a good multi-level dive site, going around pinnacles and large rocks. There is a fair display of hard and soft corals, and the usual reef-fish are present in reasonable quantities. If you are lucky you should be able to sight reef sharks, but the main attraction is probably the presence of large Bullethead Parrotfish. However, diving here can be extremely hazardous because of the hostile currents: under no circumstances should this site be attempted by any but the most experienced divers.

12. Koh Racha Noi - Southern Tip

Location: The dive follows around the island's southern tip.
Access: Just over 2.5hrs by dive boat from Chalong Bay. There is no mooring buoy. Access is by "live-boat" dive.
Conditions: Visibility can exceed 25m (83ft). Currents can be incredibly strong, both horizontally and, even more dangerously, downwards. These conditions limit the site to experienced divers.
Average Depth: 23m (76ft)
Maximum Depth: 40m+ (130ft+)

This is a great dive for the experienced diver - in fact, most good operators will bring only divers of advanced level and above. The underwater terrain is similar to that around the island's northern tip, but much deeper - the shallowest part of any consequence is at 18m (60ft). Fine soft corals highlight the smooth-sided boulders. Crinoids and featherstars are well represented. There are fairly plentiful, reasonably sized fish, including lionfish, parrotfish, wrasse and triggerfish, as well as large visiting pelagics. Manta Rays and Whale Sharks have been seen here. All in all, this site is similar to those sites around Mu Koh Similan, although not quite as spectacular.