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Diving around Phuket |
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Phuket is one
of the top ten dive destinations worldwide with colorful reefs
surrounded by crystal clear waters. Hundreds of islands and reefs
can be explored by day trips or liveaboard cruises. Highlights are
swimming with a whale shark or manta ray and exploring the King
Cruiser wreck. Best time for diving is from end of October till
May. Dive shops offering all kind of courses from beginners to
dive master can be found everywhere around the island.
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 Similan
Islands
Depth: Various
 This
national park in Phang-nga Province 100 kilometers northwest of
Phuket consists of nine desert islands whose natural beauty and
incredible underwater vistas make them possibly the most loved
dive sites in the Andaman Sea.
The Similans boast 25 world-class dive venues. They are famous for
their dazzling marine life, warm, clear water and mild sea
conditions. Visibility is usually between 18 and 25 meters and at
times exceeds 40 meters.
There is a huge variety of wildlife under the water, with sites on
the west of the islands open to the sea, and sites on the east
fringed with hard coral. Larger marine animals that inhabit the
waters around the Similans include whale sharks and cow-tail rays.
Several sites feature giant coral bommies, covered with soft
corals and sea fans rising dramatically from the bottom. Out of
the water, the virgin beaches and the flora and fauna beyond are
breathtaking. |
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Ko
Bon & Ko Tachai
Despite the reputation of the the Similans, some pros argue that
for sheer excitement, you can't beat Ko Bon. Divers to this small
island 20 kilometers north
of the largest Similan should, as they negotiate the vertical
walls, be prepared for close encounters with leopard sharks. Here
the corals come in unique rich hues; blue, yellow and turquoise.
Ko Bon is also renowned for its high number of manta rays,
especially at the end of the season in April and May.
A further 25 kilometres north of Ko Bon is Ko Tachai, with a
stunning pristine
beach straight out of fairytale imaginations. Ko Tachai is famous
for its large sea creatures. Divers and snorkellers can expect to
see whale sharks, leopard sharks and nurse sharks, as well as rays
and hawksbill turtles. The waters around the island are teeming
with all kinds of tropical fish and coral.
How to get there
By boat from Phuket with regular sailings provided by numerous
tour and dive operators. One-day excursion and longer tours are
available. Tours last from five to 14 days. The longer tours for
divers usually include Mu Ko Surin National Park and the much
distant Myanmar hanks.
Best time to visit
December to April is the main tourist season with good weather.
Island cruising is best between November and April. Great care
should be taken in anchoring onlv on a sandy beach bottom to avoid
coral damage.
Accommodation
Simple bungalows on Ko Miang. Camping is permitted. Advance
booking is necessary at the National Parks Division in Bangkok,
tel: (662) 579-4842, 57.9-5269, 579-0529.
There are also a number of live-aboard provided by tour operators.
These range from converted fishing boats with only basic
facilities to luxury cruisers.
Facilities
On Ko Miang, there are visitor and information center, restaurant,
toilets and showers, telephone and longtail boat service. |
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Surin
Islands
Depth: 25 - 30 meter
 3
Only five islands make up this national marine park just south of
the Myanmar border and 53 kilometers from mainland Thailand.
If you fancy getting lost in an island paradise, you could do no
better. The small group of islands contains dozens of beautiful
coves and bays, and is choked with thick jungle.
The waters around Ko Surin are said to have the most diverse coral
in all of Thailand, and seem to attract stranger species of marine
life; divers and snorkellers may catch sight of the ghost pipe
fish and frog fish.
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Richelieu
Rock
Richelieu Rock is, it is generally agreed, a world-class dive
site. The submerged rock whose tips are just visible at low tide,
is 18 kilometers east of Ko Surin and home to the widest diversity
of sea life. It is the playground for schools of whale sharks
which are so friendly they often pose for photographs.
How to get there
The best way is by boat from Phuket with a number of Phuket-based
dive and cruise operators running short and long excursions.
Best time to visit
The main tourist and diving season is between December and April.
Accommodation
Simple dormitory-style bungalows on Ko Surin Nua. Camping is
permitted. Advance booking is necessary at the National Parks
Division in Bangkok, tel: (662) 579-4842, 579-5269, 579-0529.
Two-man tents area available for rent or visitors may bring their
own.
There are also a number of live-aboards providet by tour
operators.
Facilities
On Ko Sunn Nua, there are park restaurant. Longtail boats and
snorkelling equipment available for rent. No shops. |
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King
Cruiser Wreck
(Thai-Tanic)
Depth: 6 - 30 meter
On May 4th, 1997, the 85m long King Cruiser ferry collided with
the Anemone Reef on its way from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands
creating an artificial reef divers around Phuket where waiting for
years.
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