Best Diving Spots in Phuket

Caves, coral reefs, sunken ships — Phuket is an excellent place to explore the underwater world, or simply put, to go diving. The waters of the Andaman Sea offer the chance to swim among schools of exotic fish, turtles, and even sharks, making this destination a magnet for divers from around the globe. Here’s a guide to the best diving sites in Phuket and the nearby islands.

Racha Yai Island. An ideal spot for beginner divers, Racha Yai offers shallow depths (around 10-20 meters) and calm waters with no strong currents. Beginners can practice in the shallows, while more experienced divers can venture deeper to explore vibrant coral formations, tropical fish, and even sea turtles.

At the bottom of Siam Bay, two life-size elephant sculptures and other “artificial reefs” have been placed to attract marine life. On the northern part of the island’s east coast, Bay 1 dive site features an artificial reef composed of several dozen concrete cubes covered in corals. A bit further, at a depth of 24 meters, divers can explore the intentionally sunken Tuna Wreck. The ship is well-preserved, and its interior is home to numerous fish species.

On the eastern side of Racha Yai Island lies the relatively deep Bungalow Bay. This bay remains calm throughout the year, making it an excellent dive site for divers of all skill levels. The northern part features a reef slope ranging from 5 to 25 meters in depth, with an artificial reef composed of cube-shaped structures on the seabed. The southern side has a gentler slope, and at a depth of 9 meters, divers can find an artificial reef that resembles alien eggs. Bungalow Bay is home to various marine life, including stingrays, moray eels, parrotfish, octopuses, cuttlefish, and squids.

Racha Noi is a more “wild” and remote island, primarily suited for experienced divers, especially in the southern area, where depths reach up to 40 meters. However, the eastern and western sides offer shallower waters, making them accessible to divers of all levels. The underwater landscape at Racha Noi is diverse, featuring small bays with white sandy bottoms and scattered reefs, walls covered in soft corals, and massive boulders.

Phi Phi Islands. The Phi Phi Islands offer various opportunities for exploring the underwater world, making them a popular destination for daily diving trips. Both beginners and experienced divers can enjoy the waters here. The marine life around the islands is diverse, with sightings of stingrays, turtles, octopuses, squids, a variety of tropical fish, and even sharks.

Similan Islands. A true paradise for experienced divers, the Similan Islands are renowned for their incredible diversity of marine flora and fauna. There are numerous dive sites throughout the archipelago, and a high level of diving proficiency is recommended for those exploring these waters. It is advisable to have at least 20 dives of experience before diving here.

For true diving enthusiasts, a multi-day dive safari lasting two or more days can be arranged to explore the Similan Islands in depth.

King Cruiser. This dive spot features a Japanese ship that sank in 1997. Over the years, it has transformed into an artificial reef and a habitat for various marine species. The upper part of the wreck lies at a depth of 16 meters, making King Cruiser accessible only to advanced divers.

Anemone Reef. The upper part of this underwater reef is covered with colorful sea anemones, which is how it got its name. The reef is a submerged pinnacle rising from a depth of about 25 meters up to just 4 meters below the surface. It was this reef that the King Cruiser ferry struck before sinking a few hundred meters away.

This site is a paradise for macro photography enthusiasts. Anemone Reef is covered in various soft corals that provide a habitat for seahorses, shrimp, and different mollusks.

Shark Point. One of the most exciting dive sites, Shark Point is known for frequent sightings of leopard sharks. It consists of a group of four underwater pinnacles, with the tallest one emerging 2 meters above the surface. Underwater, they extend from north to south, reaching depths of 25 meters. The first two pinnacles are the most frequently visited, while the third is harder to reach due to strong currents.

Cheow Lan Lake. It’s not just about the sea — diving is also possible at Cheow Lan Lake. With depths of 150 meters and more, this lake is located in Khao Sok National Park, within a tectonic rift spanning over 200 square kilometers. Surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs, the lake features unique stalactites, underwater grottos, and caves. Since the park is a protected area, diving here is considered an exclusive experience.

Many people become seriously interested in diving after their first dives and choose to undergo training to explore more complex and deeper dive sites. Without certification, diving is only possible with an instructor.

There are several international diving training and certification systems. The most common ones are PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques).

DSD Diver – A basic level for beginners, teaching how to stay afloat, swim, hold breath, and dive with a mask and snorkel.

Open Water Diver – The foundational level for recreational divers. This course includes theory, pool practice, open water dives, and scuba equipment training. After passing an exam, divers receive a certification card allowing them to dive up to 10 meters without an instructor.

Advanced Open Water – A qualification that allows divers to go up to 30 meters, participate in night dives, and explore wrecks.

Rescue Diver and Emergency First Response – An advanced level focusing on handling emergency situations and safety protocols for professional diving.

Divers can further enhance their skills by progressing through additional training levels. Those looking to become professional divers can enroll in instructor training programs.

Diving Costs in Phuket

The cost of diving services varies depending on the selected program, the pricing of the dive center, and the dive location. Below are approximate prices:

One-day diving trip – From 3,500 ฿. Prices increase based on the number of dive sites, meals, and additional inclusions.

Open Water Diver Course – From 15,000 ฿. This course grants a beginner-level certification, allowing divers to go without an instructor.

Equipment rental – From 1,000 ฿ per day. Renting gear requires an international certification proving you can dive without an instructor.

How to Choose a Dive Center

When selecting a dive center, ensure it is certified by PADI, SSI, or another recognized international organization. Read reviews on public platforms and verify that the center uses modern and safe equipment. At the very least, all gear components that come into contact with the body should be watertight, which can be checked even without special expertise.

Phuket and its surroundings offer an incredible variety of diving sites. There are accessible locations for beginners as well as challenging routes for experienced divers. If you’re looking for an unforgettable underwater experience, Phuket will not disappoint.

For more water activities in Phuket, check out the Excursions and Fishing sections. If you’re looking for a luxury getaway and unforgettable sea adventures, explore the Yacht Rental section.