Dive Options in Phuket?

[brianstern99]

Everyone has been so great helping me figure out which DC to use! Now for my next question . . .

I will be in Phuket Nov 20-26. I'm thinking we'll probably do 2 (maaaaaybe 3) dives total.

Generally speaking, what are the conditions like around that time? Are we limited to day trips to the Similian Islands or are there many local dives available?

Ideally, I'd like to start with one local day of diving, followed by a longer full day trip. Just trying to figure out my options. Any guidance is certainly appreciated!

Thanks!
Brian

 

[Ringo]

The diving in November is great and a few DC's in Kata, Karon and Kata Noi offer local shore and longtail boat dives to sites just 5 minutes off these beaches as well as daytrips to sites about 1 and 1/2 hours off Phuket and of course the Liveaboard cruises. Personally I do not recommend a daytrip to The Similans. You really do need to spend more time to see the best of these sites. The daytrip diving is to these sites are really more cattle market style.

Hope this helps?

 

[MoonWrasse]

Ditto what Ringo said. I'd suggest Phi Phi, Anemone reef/King Cruiser for your 2-3 dives.

Last year I was there at the same time you're going, however it rained everyday (which wasn't normal). None the less, I still dove 40+ times during that stay.

 

[orangelemon]

Similan Island Liveaboards are either the 'true' liveaboard luxury type (typically 5 days / 5 nights and $120 - $200 per night or you can do a day trip one where you can get shuttled out via speedboat to a diveboat where you can spend one day upwards. Obviously this is cheaper and isnt the 'holiday' that some people enjoy but can be very convenient if you 'have' to visit the Similans in a short time frame.

As its the end of the low season, the beach diving is a bit hit or miss depending on the waves on the beach on that particular day. Some days you can have amazing beach dives but others days there are too much / strong waves to attempt to get out.

If you have only 3 days diving suggest

Racha Noi / Racha Yai
Phi Phi
Anemone Reef / Shark Point / Koh Doc Mai.

You might like to do a Phi Phi overnight trip where you can stay overnight at phi phi after doing dives there and have dives on the way back to Phuket, had many satistied dives do this so far this year.

 

[JonnieB]

Generally speaking, what are the conditions like around that time? Are we limited to day trips to the Similian Islands or are there many local dives available?

Ideally, I'd like to start with one local day of diving, followed by a longer full day trip.
Brian

Search this forum or the "Asia" forum for my extensive reports on diving in Phuket. Search under keyword "Phuket" and "JonnieB"

 

[Ringo]

As its the end of the low season, the beach diving is a bit hit or miss depending on the waves on the beach on that particular day. Some days you can have amazing beach dives but others days there are too much / strong waves to attempt to get out.

From personal experience in November over the last 13 years the diving off Kata, Karon and Kata Noi beaches have had a lot to offer especially for those who do not want to spend the entire day out on a daytrip. These sites are certainly not indicative of the best diving that Thailand has to offer but for those who want to do easy relaxing dives (and see more of the smaller marine life than at Koh Racha Yai for example) this is a fair option. Ideal for beginner divers as well. These dives are readily available everyday in November - shore dives at any time convenient for you and longtail boat dives departing at 11:00am, 3:00pm and of course for the night dive at 6:30pm.

As Moonwrasse said it rained a bit last year - but then you might as well get your gills wet properly.

Otherwise for the daytrips agreeably Anemone Reef and Sharkpoint are sites not to miss. The Phi Phi Overnight cruise as well as this option is undoubtedly very good value for money.

Once again the 2 dive daytrips to The Similans I don't like to recommend. The day is far too long with many hours spent travellng to and from these sites and even then you do not get to see the best of what these sites have to offer.

 

[MoonWrasse]

To go to the Similans from Patong/Kata/Karon, you ride a minibus for about 2 hours,
followed by a 1.5 hour speedboat ride, followed by 2 dives where you will probably
be in crowded conditions. Then breakdown of gear followed by return trip equal
to the going trip. Start off about 6-7am, return around 6-7pm to hotel.

Similans should be done on a liveaboard, at least a couple of days, 4 dives/day.