Diving in Phuket ^*

Phuket, nicknamed the Pearl of the Andaman, is Thailand’s largest island, you will understand why. Its coast is edged with soft-sand beaches that gleam gold and white and crowned with dramatic limestone karsts, while the interior jungle is home to elephants and wonderful birdlife. But Phuket’s most awe-inspiring sites are below the surface of the sea, making it one of Thailand’s best scuba diving destinations. Here, a rainbow of different types of fish flit past in an instant, there are spectacular protected reefs in the marine parks and the limestone creates stunning walls, caves and crevices that are a joy to explore and shelter diverse species from hawksbill turtles to sea snakes. This Pearl of the Andaman offers diving year-round, but the best time to dive in Phuket is between November and April, when there is less rain and clearer waters. Generally, the visibility is excellent, ranging up to 40m (130ft) in at some key dive sites and the water temperature never drops below 25C (77F), normally hovering between 28 and 31C (82-87F). Most of the diving is offered by boat day trips, but there are opportunities for the shore diving, with the shallower conditions perfect for beginners and those looking to work on their skills. If you can organise your trip between February and March, cooler currents flow in from open sea and can bring with them whale sharks and manta rays.