Know About the Best Package for Scuba Diving in Phuket

Phuket is known as one of the top-notch diving destinations in South Asia. It is one of the islands of Thailand, and along with Phi Phi and Racha islands, Phuket offers a range of dive spots that will suit all skill levels and other activities, including snorkeling, PADI certified scuba diving courses, beach dives, and dive trips. To make the most of scuba diving in Phuket, consider signing up for one of the diving packages offered by reputable PADI certified dive centers. The best dive centers guarantee a fun, safe, and comfortable dive aboard their own yacht, with the most experienced and knowledgeable guides and instructors.

Explore the selection of the best scuba diving packages in Phuket offered by a reputable dive center. Similan liveaboard packages can take you on a diving trip that is good for three to five days or more, depending on the provider and the package that you want. You will have to live in a yacht for days, too, so bring only the essentials. Cabins are clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned. Liveaboard packages come with meals, and some providers offer buffet-style meals and snacks aboard their yachts. Some liveaboards come with day trips and hotel accommodation. Take note that some packages are available only for a limited time, such as Similan liveaboard season, which typically runs from mid-October to early May.

If you prefer day trips, leading scuba diving centers can organize a diving day trip package during low and high season. They allow you to choose from their selection of diving holidays and day trips that come with accommodation. The best package for scuba diving in Phuket comes with diving insurance per every diver. If anything goes wrong, you can be sure that any damages or injuries will be covered by insurance. Take note that insurance may be provided per day, so be sure to check with the dive center.

Best Sites in Phuket for Scuba Diving

Phuket, Thailand is one of the most coveted locations for amateur and professional scuba divers worldwide. Its lush marine life and vibrant surroundings make diving more than just a trip underwater, but a truly memorable experience that you will fondly look back on. The diving spots in Phuket are breathtaking—and it’s easy to see why people from all over the world travel far to bask in its beauty. Situated to the south of Phuket Island is the Group of Racha Islands, which consists of the northern island or the Racha Yai and southern island or the Racha Noi. This groups of islands is the most popular amongst first-time or beginner divers because its numerous dive sites offer colorful coral reefs, abundant reef, various sea creatures, and good visibility.

Ko Racha Yai is easy to navigate with its coral reef slope and white sand-covered flat bottom. This diving spot is hidden inside a bay that shelters it from strong currents. Visibility can be as good as 20-30 meters all year round, depending on the season. There are also deep diving reefs and wrecks which are suitable for more skilled scuba divers. Siam Bay Dive Site is located to the north of Racha Yai Island and it is known for parrotfish, basslets, butterfly fish, and cuttlefish and stingrays. You can find parrotfish, snapper, angelfish, butterfly fish, grouper and basslets in Staghorn Reef and Lucy’s Reef, also located in Ko Racha Yai.

Ko Racha Noi is roughly 40 minutes from Ko Racha Yai and this is divided into two sections—North End and South End. The crystal blue waters and stunning underwater landscapes are the best advantages of this island. The south end in particular is a great dive site for those who are more experienced. The area is known for its Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. Because it is quite hazardous with its strong currents and complex landscape, it can be quite challenging to five here, and so only advanced scuba divers are allowed.

Scuba Diving Seasons in Phuket

Scuba diving in Thailand is one of the experiences you should not miss. The Land of Smiles is particularly popular for its diving spots in Phuket, an island that can be your starting point for a liveaboard trip or scuba diving trips up the west coast to diving sites in the Andaman Sea. Phuket has everything for beginners, experienced, and professional divers alike, and it is home to world class PADI certified diving schools, too. To ensure the best diving experience, it is recommended that you dive during the best scuba diving seasons in Phuket.

Scuba diving continues throughout the year in Phuket, but the best conditions are from November to April (high season), and at the absolute peak aspect towards the end of that period. Scuba diving in Thailand during low season may be frustrating as the weather tends to be less predictable, with choppier seas and more rain. However, most diving trips to the local sites in Phuket are rarely interrupted by moderate weather conditions. In this case, divers are taken to the sites on the offshore island’s leeward areas.

Liveaboard scuba diving in Thailand is ideal from late October until the middle of May. Monsoons are already common and unpredictable beyond that period until high season starts, making it too dangerous for boats and divers to be in the open seas. Water temperatures in Phuket tend to range from 26 degrees Celsius in January and February, to 30 degrees Celsius in May and June. Thermoclines may occur in March and April, in which temperatures may drop a few degrees. Divers may wear full-length thin wetsuits if they feel uncomfortable with thermoclines.

Be careful when scuba diving in Thailand around April and May, as the titan triggerfish start nesting in the period, especially towards the end of high season. Triggerfish can become aggressive when defending their nests, which they build by digging in a sandy patch of coral. The titan species is notorious for being hazardous to divers.

Tips On How To Fit In Your Wetsuits

One of the most essential gear you must have in scuba diving is the wetsuit, which is designed for buoyancy and thermal insulation. The benefits of wearing a wetsuit will be discussed by your certified instructor during diving lessons in Phuket, but it is important to understand how to fit yours properly. Fitting one should be covered by your diving lessons in Phuket, but here are more tips to help you get the right fit and size:

• Check the brand or manufacturer – Suit manufacturers will vary in their sizing. What is labeled, ‘small’ may not necessarily be the regular small size that you wear when it comes to your everyday garments. Hence, ask for a sizing chart from the manufacturer that made the suit you want. This way, you can be sure that the suit will fit you snugly. Keep in mind that all suits are proportionally sized to your height and weight. 

• Fitting a one-piece suit – Pull the wetsuit all the way up to the waist and reach down to work your arms up one at a time. Let a buddy from your diving lessons in Phuket help you zip you up if the zipper is at the back to minimize zipper damage, as zippers tend to get caught in long hair or snag neoprene. 

• Fitting a two-piece scuba suit – Not all wetsuits are one-piece. There are two-piece suits, too. If that is what you want, start fitting by pulling the pants all the way up before securing the Velcro strap on the shoulder. Next, step through the jacket and pull it on, and reach to your back to put your arms through the suit before pulling it up. Zip up. 

• Inspecting the fit – The wetsuit must conform to the shape of your body. It should fit snugly and you might have a limited range of motion, but that is normal. Walk around for a few minutes and beware of any loss of circulation in your feet and hands. You should be able to breathe and inhale properly without feeling any discomfort. A small crease may be found at the back of your knees or elbows. 

• What if it does not fit? - Not all people will find off the rack wetsuits that will fit them properly. If that is the case, have it altered for a custom fit.

Thinking of Scuba Diving in Phuket? All4Diving is the Right Destination for You

Scuba diving lets you explore the oceans and encounter interesting creatures you simply wouldn’t get a chance to see anywhere else. One of the best destinations to go to for scuba diving is Phuket. Sign up for a scuba diving trip with a reputable diving academy like All4Diving - which is often described as the best diving school in this part of Thailand. For over two decades, it has been a leader in the Thai diving industry and is also among the most awarded PADI diving centers in the world.

All4Diving has new boats and liveaboard luxury boats that can provide comfort and safety even in a difficult weather. Scuba diving trips with All4Diving are suitable for beginners and experienced divers alike.

The academy also offers basic lessons as well as 10 specialty courses that will not only allow you to discover and explore the ocean, but also let you exercise your creativity and learn new skills. These 10 specialty courses are (1) deep scuba diving, (2) wreck scuba diving, (3) enriched air diving, (4) digital underwater photography, (5) diver propulsion vehicles, (6) underwater naturalist and fish identification, (7) underwater search and discovery, (8) coral reef conservation, (9) night scuba diving, and (10) drift scuba diving. These courses typically only take one to two days.

All4Diving also has a spacious retail shop where you can find the best equipment and accessories that will help you make the most of your diving and snorkeling activities. The academy is likewise involved in local and national environmental programs that are in line with their philosophy, which is to protect the environment for the generations to come. One of their specialty courses - coral reef preservation - gives you the knowledge and skills you need to be an ambassador of the coral reef ecosystems. Consider taking it during your holiday so you can share the knowledge with other divers and diving communities back home.

Phuket - A Hot Spot for Scuba Diving

One of the best diving destinations that you can go to - whether you’re a novice or an experienced scuba diver - is Phuket. There are various day trips and liveaboard arrangements that can help you get the best out of your scuba diving holiday. These trips make it easier to reach the many dive sites near the island, where you can revel in the enchanting marine life and history.

Phuket offers a range of dive sites for all skill levels. If you are a beginner and would prefer gentle drift diving, Racha Yai is recommended for you. However, if you are already an advanced diver and can take on stronger currents and deeper waters, then Racha Noi is a good choice. You could also possibly see manta rays there, as well as encounter large schools of tuna, whale sharks, and chevron barracudas.

If you choose to go on a day trip to Koh Dok Mai, you will likely encounter small creatures that just enrich the experience of fun dives and continuing education dives alike. You may be able to see the ghost pipefish, anglerfish, and tiger-tail seahorse. The east wall of Koh Dok Mai has a big and small cave, which makes it a great site for scuba diving. You will be permitted to go inside the small and narrow cave if you are a certified scuba diver.

Another place that is a must-see when you go to Phuket is the Shark Point. It got its name from the leopard sharks that are often seen in the area. Shark Point is 27 kilometers away from Phuket, and is near the King Cruiser Wreck and Anemone Reef.

If you want to have a scuba diving trip in Phuket, it would be best if you go with a diving center that offers day trips and liveaboard diving holidays. Choose a diving academy in Phuket that is among the most awarded PADI centers in Thailand because of its excellence in the domain of professional and recreational diving education.