Phuket diving and liveaboards cruises in Thailand
Phuket is often referred to as the 'Pearl of the South' and for
scuba divers it's certainly the crown jewel of the Andaman Sea;
one of the most renowned diving regions in the world. This island
paradise lies only 8o north of the equator, enjoying
a tropical climate with average water temperature of 24oC
(78o F) with an unmatched variety of aquatic life.
The best time for a dive is between October and May between the
two monsoons, but good scubadiving is available all year. A fleet
of dive boats now roam the azure blue water of the Andaman Sea
that for thousands of years served as the main trade route for
merchant vessels, pirates, explorers and missionaries from India,
the Arab nations and Europe on their way to China, ancient Siam
(Thailand), and Japan.
In spite of its strategic location and long maritime
history, many areas of the Andaman Sea remain largely unexplored.
This underwater frontier continues to yield exciting new dive
sites that are only now being made available. Even today, in some
areas like Hin Daeng to the south and the area around the Burma
Banks to the north, and virtually the entire Mergui Archipelago,
you may enjoy the added pleasure of being one of the first ever
to dive in many sites.
For divers the true treasures of the Andaman
Sea are hidden below the surface where the vast panorama explodes
into a virtual symphony of colors and corals. The warm, clear nutrient
rich water draws vast schools of tropical fish, manta rays, a host
of other pelagic fish, and the awe inspiring Whale Shark. The diverse
underwater scenery, and abundant marine life combined with good
(and sometimes great) visibility will delight underwater photographers
and marine naturalists. The dive sites available vary enormously
and offer a full range of dive-profiles. Start with a lazy drift
dive through vast gardens of coral, or try swimming through some
of numerous caves and grottos, exploring a ship-wreck, or maybe
embarking on a multi-level dive along a sheer granite wall with
a different creature in every nook and cranny.
The professional dive shops will offer three major
services in addition to equipment sales and rental, PADI certified
training classes, one-day dives, and multi-day liveaboard dive excursions.
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Diver
Training
The vicarious thrill of breathing underwater while
exploring the last untamed frontier on the planet Earth. You have
seen underwater film and photos, but nothing compares to actually
drifting along a beautiful coral reef or swimming through a vast
school of colorful tropical fish. The Andaman Sea makes a wonderful
classroom to learn scuba or to upgrade your level of skills. See
section on diver training for more details.
Day
Trips
For those divers traveling with families, or on
a tight time schedule, or for those who just prefer having the shore
based amenities available in the evening, local dive-shops offer
an excellent selection of one-day dive trips. See section on dive
sites for a detailed description of the major dive sites.
Liveaboard
Excursions
Each year scuba divers from all over the world
come to join one of the many dive cruises that visit some the more
remote and pristine locations in the world. These famous live-aboard
cruises allow you to live, eat and dive right off the boat into
some of the most spectacular dive sites in the world. Dive boats
in Thailand vary greatly in style and comfort and price.
For those less concerned about comfort, sleeping
in one big cabin or even on deck will save you money. At the other
end of the scale, several dive boats offer large private air-conditioned
cabins, professional photography services, modern communications,
and little extras such as gourmet meals. These boats also have the
stability, the range, and the navigational equipment to safely explore
areas north and west of the Similan Islands such as the Burma Banks
and Richelieu Rock. See section of dive companies, and the section
on boats to determine which company best suits your needs.
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