Question What are the areas of interest surrounding Phuket?

[Cornbread O'Malley]

Much thanks for the replies, everyone!

 

[Centrals]

Much thanks for the replies, everyone!

Stay in Chalong Bay.
1. A lot less seedy than eg. Kata or Patong.
2. Avoid the time wasted on being pick-up or drop-off if staying in other beaches. Being pick up at 0700, depend on location, and then travel to various places to pick up other divers in a packed songthew is no fun at all.

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

Stay in Chalong Bay.
1. A lot less seedy than eg. Kata or Patong.
2. Avoid the time wasted on being pick-up or drop-off if staying in other beaches. Being pick up at 0700, depend on location, and then travel to various places to pick up other divers in a packed songthew is no fun at all.

Thank you for the tips! My thinking is staying in Chalong Bay as you suggest and within walking distance of Sea Bees.

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

I have been diving (for many years) with a company called SeaBees, they are based in Chalong near the big pier but send cars to the hotels for pick-up and drop off.

^^ I second that. It’s been more than 7yrs but Seabees left a lasting and very good impression on me…

Does Sea Bees in Chalong operate their boat out of Chalong Pier, which is just east of the dive shop?

 

[JonnieB]

Does Sea Bees in Chalong operate their boat out of Chalong Pier, which is just east of the dive shop?

Yes, all the Phuket day-trip boats operate from Chalong Pier. Just a heads up, they pack up to 60+ divers on these boats so it's quite a scrum on the dive deck and the lunch buffet. Get in line early or you might miss out

 

[Centrals]

More BS. LOL.
Book your daily trip with Sea Bees and there is nothing to worry about.
However, I have no idea how big their boat is and whether they accept outside divers as well so ask first.

Koh Lanta beats Phuket anytime.

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

ScubaBoarders, your input is helping me develop ideas. Besides diving, I'm interested in visiting some Buddhist temples, local markets and night markets, and Muay Thai fights. I see Muay Thai fights offered in Patong and Chalong.

How are the Buddhist temples and local and night markets at Chalong vs Khao Lak?

 

[Centrals]

Wat Phra Nang Sang.
Naka night market in Phuket Old Town.

Avoid the Big Budda in Kata Beach. Just another tourist trap with no historical significance. The illegal expansion has indirectly killed 13 migrant workers recently.

If you have time and inclination then Phattahlung and Nikhon Si Thammaratt are the places for temple. You won't see many foreign tourists there. Quite a distance away unfortunately.

 

[icyz_]

I went with All4Diving last October. Greg is a nice instructor, and the DMs are really helpful. Here’s a picture of me and a training wreck in Bay 1.

Would recommend Koh Bida Nok, Bay 1, (not a big fan of Shark Point because I didn’t see any shark at that time :/)

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

Wat Phra Nang Sang.
Naka night market in Phuket Old Town.

Avoid the Big Budda in Kata Beach. Just another tourist trap with no historical significance. The illegal expansion has indirectly killed 13 migrant workers recently.

If you have time and inclination then Phattahlung and Nikhon Si Thammaratt are the places for temple. You won't see many foreign tourists there. Quite a distance away unfortunately.

Thanks for the suggestions. I looked up the incident with the Big Buddha in Kata Beach. Very unfortunate; site is still closed. I'll have to save Phattahlung and Nikhon Si Thammaratt for another trip. Maybe when I visit Koh Tao.