Day
Dives with SEAL
There are a number of very good dive sites around Phuket island
within easy reach for day-dives, ranging in distance from 10 to 26 nautical miles from
Phuket. The day-dive trips operate every day, all year round, except on the odd occasions
when the sea is too rough.
The day-dive boats depart from Chalong, which is on the south east
tip of Phuket island. The distances shown below are measured from Chalong Bay.
If you are staying in Patong, at Karon beach or Kata transfers are
free of charge but there is a transfer charge from other places on the islands.
The difference between an enjoyable and safe day-dive trips is the
standard of the vessel and the professionalism of the crew! We offer day-dive trips on
spacious, stable boats with large shaded dive decks, and professional crews.
Most of the day-dive trips offer 2 dives; some day-dive trips have
3 dives. The professional divemasters have detailed knowledge of each dive site will guide
and accompany you. They speak English and many of them have an additional language.
A buffet lunch, snacks, fresh fruit, tea and coffee are provided
on board.
SHARK POINT |
| Distance |
16 nautical miles |
 |
| Boat Trip |
80 min |
| Depth |
6-24 meters (20-80 ft) |
| Visibility |
fair to extremely good |
| Currents |
moderate |
| Surface
Conditions |
can be rough |
| Experience Level |
beginners should dive with Divemaster |
Shark Point is a marine sanctuary, named after the
plankton feeding leopard sharks which are usually seen. Ninety per cent of the time you
will see this wonderful creature and if divers are careful they can be approached
but do not touch or harass them!
A small rocky outcrop breaks the surface of the sea, with
three large reef sections below the water, teeming with marine life. The reef is covered
with soft coral and sponges and an very good selection of marine life, including
jack-fish, tuna, rays, barracuda plus colonies of lion fish, small species of morays and
clouds of glass fish.
Some brisk currents at this site, running parallel to the
reef sections, so you can expect some excellent drift diving.
KOH DOC MAI |
| Distance |
10 nautical miles |
 |
| Boat Trip |
60 min |
| Depth |
3-27m (10-90ft) |
| Visibility |
fair to good (sometimes excellent) |
| Currents |
moderate |
| Surface
Conditions |
there is always a sheltered side |
| Experience
Level |
OK for beginners |
Koh Doc Mai is a large limestone rock rising steeply out of
the sea, three sides of which are mini-walls dropping down to the bottom, while the west
side is a hard coral reef slope. Ideal for multi-level diving. A huge variety of
invertebrates, reef fish and the resident moray eels. The east side features lots of
yellow tube-corals and a few caverns and caves.
ANEMONE REEF |
| Distance |
16 nautical miles |
 |
| Boat Trip |
80 min |
| Depth |
6-24m (20-80ft) |
| Visibility |
fair to very good |
| Currents |
moderate |
| Surface
Conditions |
can be rough |
| Experience
Level |
beginners should dive with a
Divemaster |
This dive site is a submerged rock, less than a mile north of
Shark Point. Aptly named, with a profusion of sea anemones. Groups of lion fish and other
reef fish. A very pretty site.
KING CRUISER WRECK |
| Distance |
18 nautical miles |
 |
| Boat Trip |
90 min |
| Depth |
6-30m (20-100ft) |
| Visibility |
fair to good |
| Currents |
moderate to strong |
| Surface
Conditions |
can be rough |
| Experience
Level |
Advanced or beginners with
Divemaster |
The King Cruiser is a big old Japanese car ferry (and has been a
wreck since May 1997) which was being used for sightseeing trips to Phi Phi Islands when
it hit Anemone Reef and sank. Fortunately there were no casualties.
As yet there is no coral growth on the vessel yet
but plenty of fish. The wreck measures 88 meters in length and 25 meters in breadth.
Penetration can be hazardous and should only be attempted by advanced or certified wreck
divers.
RAJAH ISLANDS
Rajah Yai (big) & Rajah Noi (small)
THESE two islands are located south of Phuket. The water
here is generally the clearest of the local dive sites.
Rajah Yai is ideal for beginner and intermediate level divers,
whereas diving at Rajah Noi requires more advanced diving skills.
|
|
RAJAH YAI |
| Distance |
14 nautical miles |
 |
| Boat Trip |
70 min |
| Depth |
6-24m (20-80ft) |
| Visibility |
fair to very good |
| Currents |
moderate |
| Surface
Conditions |
there is always shelter |
| Experience
Level |
OK for beginners |
|
Generally easy diving with clear water and a good
variety of marine life. Mainly hard coral fringe reefs on the east side, with the current
taking you on a free ride - where the boat will be waiting for you.
There is a small wreck at the north east tip. The west side has a sandy bay and offers
much the same under-water scenery but with better coral growth.
RAJAH NOI |
| Distance |
20 nautical miles |
 |
| Boat Trip |
110 min |
| Depth |
6-40m (30-130ft) |
| Visibility |
good to super good |
| Currents |
strong, and unpredictable |
| Surface
Conditions |
can be rough |
| Experience
Level |
South Tip: experienced divers
only |
| |
North Side: intermediate level |
Rajah Noi South Tip
A great dive for experienced divers.
At a depth of 18 meters you find yourself on top of a large rock formation surrounded by
deep water. This site has huge granite boulders covered with soft coral and sponges.
Schools of tuna, jacks and barracuda are common and theres a good chance that you
will see stingrays.
Rajah Noi, North Side
A rocky finger goes down to about
30 meters. The rocks are covered in soft corals and anemones. Sharks, stingrays,
barracudas and a resident bullet head parrot fish can be seen. Colourful coral bommies in
the shallower regions. Good multi level diving.
PHI-PHI ISLANDS |
| Distance |
26 nautical miles |
 |
| Boat
Trip |
140 min |
| Depth |
6-40m (30-130ft) |
| Visibility |
fair to OK, seldom great |
| Currents |
slight to moderate |
| Surface
Conditions |
plenty of shelter |
| Experience
Level |
OK for all levels |
The area is famous for the lofty caves in the
islands where the locals harvest the little swallow birds nest for birds-nest soup. And
more recently for the filming of The Beach.
Dramatic top-side side scenery with limestone cliffs
towering hundreds of feet overhead and continuing under water at some of the dive sites.
Other sites have gently sloping pinnacles.
There are several dive sites around the Phi Phi islands,
these include Koh Bida Nok, Koh Bida Nai and Phi Phi Leh. The diving here includes wall
dives, caves and caverns as well as shallow coral gardens. A good variety of hard and soft
corals, a variety of marine life including schools of colourful bull-fish (poor mans
Moorish idols), wrass and lunar-tail groupers.
|