Palm Garden Resort Phuket, Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi and Koh Lanta

Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi boast plenty of dive resorts, dive centres and liveaboards and this region is also frequented by liveaboards heading south from the Similan and Surin Islands. Dive sites are mostly shallow with schools of reef fish and colourful corals - perfect for beginners. Divers can also spot black tip reef sharks, turtles and some macro life.

A highlight of diving Koh Phi Phi and Phuket is the popular trio of the King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point and Anemone Reef, which are around two hours away by boat. Dive centres usually offer this trip as a three-dive expedition. The King Cruiser - a ferry that sank in 1997 after colliding with Anemone Reef - is one of Thailand’s best wrecks, though due to depths and currents, it’s better suited to advanced divers.

The Phi Phi Islands comprise the Bida Islands, Koh Phi Phi Leh and Koh Phi Phi Don. Many Krabi and Phuket operators offer trips, as well as Phi Phi based operators. The islands boast beautiful corals, huge schools of yellow snapper, turtles, black tip reef sharks and the occasional leopard shark. There’s also a Thai navy shipwreck - the Kled Geaw - home to schools of pufferfish and lionfish. Plus, you’ll get to take in topside views of the famous Maya Bay, where Leonardo Dicaprio’s “The Beach” was filmed.

The underwater pinnacles of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are also a must. Gorgeous purple and red soft corals decorate both pinnacles and they are a good site for manta rays. Operators in Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi offer trips, but they're best dived from Koh Lanta or a liveaboard.

Diving in Phuket

Scuba diving in Phuket is year-round, and sites can be reached from the shore or by boat. Operators include dive centres, dive resorts and liveaboards, catering to every budget. Phuket dive courses range from entry-level to instructor, and the SSI and PADI diving courses Phuket offers are competitively priced. And, as there are so many scuba diving courses on offer, as well as superb training sites, this holiday destination is a popular choice for those seeking to learn to dive.

Phuket dive sites include local reefs, though many divers head to the Racha Islands - Koh Racha Noi and Yai - that are home to ten sites great for novices with occasional big pelagic sightings. For macro action, you’ll want to visit Koh Dok Mai. Many Phuket dive centres also visit Koh Phi Phi for two or three dives around Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Phi Phi Leh, and the Bida Islands. Three-tank trips to the King Cruiser, Shark Point and Anemone Reef trio are also offered by many Phuket dive resorts and dive centres.

From Phuket, it’s possible to dive the world-famous Hin Daeng and Hin Muang in search of mantas - though many operators require a minimum number of divers to make this happen due to the distance. Day trips to the Similan and Surin Islands are also available, but expect to pay more for fuel costs.