Racha Yai and other sites out of Phuket - visibility and conditions.

[watch_the_bubbles]

Hi,
Looking to do a couple of day trip diving out of Phuket.

I wanted to ask what the current water conditions are at dive sites like Racha Yai, Phi Phi, Shark Point, et.c.

Is the visibility decent or is there strong green in the water, limiting visibility to less than 5m?

We are experienced divers, but would like relaxed diving, rather than in water cardio workouts with strong currents.

Is end of April an OK time to expect good diving out of Phuket?

Thanks

 

[JonnieB]

Yes April is a good time to dive the Phuket area. There are rarely strong currents at the Racha Island sites (other than South Tip). There can be moderate to strong currents at the exposed open water sites like Shark Point, Anemone Reef, and the King Cruiser Wreck. Visibility at the Rachas should be 15-20 meters this time of year. Also, mid-April (12th-20th) is Thai New Year holiday and boat spaces will fill-up fast (if they haven't already).

 

[Centrals]

Move to Khao Lak and dive Similan, way better than those sites from Phuket. Relatively expensive and possible bumpy rude on speed boat but....I certainly won't pay any money diving out from Phuket. Waste of money and time.

 

[Barmaglot]

possible bumpy rude on speed boat

FWIW, there is now a shop that uses a large catamaran in lieu of a speedboat. I haven't partaken myself, but I saw them at Richelieu Rock, and that thing is similar in size to most liveaboards.

Home - King Andaman

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kingandamanscuba.com

 

[watch_the_bubbles]

Yes April is a good time to dive the Phuket area. There are rarely strong currents at the Racha Island sites (other than South Tip). There can be moderate to strong currents at the exposed open water sites like Shark Point, Anemone Reef, and the King Cruiser Wreck. Visibility at the Rachas should be 15-20 meters this time of year. Also, mid-April (12th-20th) is Thai New Year holiday and boat spaces will fill-up fast (if they haven't already).

Thanks!

We are there after Songkran, and talking to a couple of dive operators who use their own boat, rather than pass us on to one of the large boat groups.

 

[JonnieB]

Thanks!

We are there after Songkran, and talking to a couple of dive operators who use their own boat, rather than pass us on to one of the large boat groups.

Boats are boats, whether they are "party" boats or run by a shop owner/operator. Seabees is an example of a shop that runs their own boats (the Excalibur is quite nice). There are a couple of other shop operated boats and also private charters available. The "party" boats specialize in providing the boat charter and food service for any shop or instructor in Phuket. You book a boat with a shop and the shop provides your divemaster guide and gear (if needed). Either way works fine, though the party boats can be crowded with up to 60-70 divers onboard the largest ones.

 

[Centrals]

FWIW, there is now a shop that uses a large catamaran in lieu of a speedboat. I haven't partaken myself, but I saw them at Richelieu Rock, and that thing is similar in size to most liveaboards.

Home - King Andaman

Home

kingandamanscuba.com

Big boat.
But I would rather dive the Similan than sites near to Phuket.

 

[Barmaglot]

But I would rather dive the Similan than sites near to Phuket.

They dive Similan and Surin/Richelieu, not Phuket. I linked them as an alternative to the speedboats that most Khao Lak shops use for day dives.

 

[Pearlman]

I’ve been on Excalibur with Seabees long before lockdown and it was a nice boat back then. Last month I did a day trip on Sirolo Dive boat and it was also a very good one. Food was great too!
Tip: Avoid the other operator with a smallish boat with initials SS if you can…

Coming from a “turd world country” as I do (only half-kidding ok), both the operators really impressed me with the way they manage their operations with a sense of discipline and efficiency that I rarely get to see back home in any kind of setting (LOL).

 

[BigJeff]

I dive this area at least once per year with Sea Bees as I like the boat and the organisation and it's quite good for relaxed diving. The tour leaders will avoid sites/times that have strong currents.

I use a camera almost exclusively with a macro lens, not because of visibility but there are far more small subjects than big ones (makes it challenging for bigger things like sharks).

Here are some things from Dec 24 and Dec 23... you will need a good guide!