Where to stay

[friedrich]

If you stay on the west side of Phuket to be near the nightlife, the daily commute to the pier is a hassle. Additionally, most boats go out to Phi Phi, which adds many hours to your dive day. I'd personally recommend staying where the nightlife and pier are in close proximity to one another and the dive sites aren't hours from the pier.

 

[Centrals]

If you stay on the west side of Phuket to be near the nightlife, the daily commute to the pier is a hassle. Additionally, most boats go out to Phi Phi, which adds many hours to your dive day. I'd personally recommend staying where the nightlife and pier are in close proximity to one another and the dive sites aren't hours from the pier.

Most if not all day trip boats leave from Chalong Beach so it does help if staying there. AFAIK all the dive sites around Phuket are miles away.

 

[diving-kohchang]

In which case I would definitely visit the west coast as well. Koh Tao will be worth a few days and Koh Samui whilst not great for diving is a nice island.

It would also be worth visiting Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, Koh Muk, Koh Chang & Koh Kood

Did you check out Koh Chang already?

 

[ChuckP]

Did you check out Koh Chang already?

If that was directed at me, I have not made it out of Mexico yet, soon, very soon - things move slow here