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For divers the true treasures of the Andaman
Sea are hidden below the surface where the vast
panorama explodes into a virtual symphony of
colors and corals. The warm, clear nutrient
rich water draws vast schools of tropical fish,
manta rays, a host of other pelagic fish, and
the awe inspiring Whale Shark. The diverse underwater
scenery, and abundant marine life combined with
good (and sometimes great) visibility will delight
underwater photographers and marine naturalists.
The dive sites available vary enormously and
offer a full range of dive-profiles. Start with
a lazy drift dive through vast gardens of coral,
or try swimming through some of numerous caves
and grottos, exploring a ship-wreck, or maybe
embarking on a multi-level dive along a sheer
granite wall with a different creature in every
nook and cranny. Exotic culture, adventure both
above and below the surface, unforgettable food,
Phuket has all the right ingredients for a perfect
diving holiday.
The professional dive shops on Phuket will offer
three major services in addition to equipment
sales and rental, PADI certified training classes,
one-day dives, and multi-day liveaboard dive
excursions.
Diver Training
The vicarious thrill of breathing underwater
while exploring the last untamed frontier on
the planet Earth. You have seen underwater film
and photos, but nothing compares to actually
drifting along a beautiful coral reef or swimming
through a vast school of colorful tropical fish.
The Andaman Sea makes a wonderful classroom
to learn scuba diving or to upgrade your level
of skills. See section on diver training for
more details. |
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Day
Trips
For those divers traveling with families, or on
a tight time schedule, or for those who just prefer
having the shore based amenities of Phuket available
in the evening, Phuket based dive-shops offer
an excellent selection of one-day dive trips.
See section on dive sites for a detailed description
of the major dive sites.
Liveaboard Excursions
Each year scuba divers from all over the world
come to Phuket to join one of the many dive cruises
that visit some the more remote and pristine locations
in the world. These famous live-aboard cruises
allow you to live, eat and dive right off the
boat into some of the most spectacular dive sites
in the world. Dive boats in Thailand vary greatly
in style and comfort and price. For those less
concerned about comfort, sleeping in one big cabin
or even on deck will save you money. At the other
end of the scale, several dive boats offer large
private air-conditioned cabins, professional photography
services, modern communications, and little extras
such as gourmet meals. These boats also have the
stability, the range, and the navigational equipment
to safely explore areas north and west of the
Similan Islands such as the Burma Banks and Richelieu
Rock. See section of dive companies, and the section
on boats to determine which company best suits
your needs.
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