Local diving is scheduled weekly with specific sites being visited on set days, allowing divers to plan their own time-tables. Schedules do differ however, between centres, which to a certain extent, minimises the number of divers at the same site. Two dives are the order of the day and on occasion three; this obviously depends on where the boat is headed. Journey times average at around the ninety-minute mark, so there is plenty of time to gear up and relax.

Guests are collected from their hotels at around 07.30hrs and returned sometime around 16.30hrs. The dive boats are well kitted out, the majority having toilets, some form of shower, a shaded area away from the sun or rain and fresh water tanks for rinsing equipment at the end of the day.

The Dive Sites

The sites themselves are good and well worthwhile visiting on more than one occasion. The visibility is generally reasonable and perfectly adequate for enjoying the high representation and diversity of marine life. In 1992, two of the established and popular diving sites became protected as part of a Marine Sanctuary; this designation prohibits the collection of marine specimens, it also outlaws fishing. A third site was added to the list in 1997.

Firstly, Shark Point consists of three pinnacles lying north to south that between them have a high proportion of both hard and soft corals highly animated by all manners of reef creatures. The seabed too, has its residents; leopard sharks rest here and many a diver has had the wonderful experience of observing at close hand this harmless bottom feeder. The site also has many cleaning stations hosted by a multitude of cleaning fish and shrimps tending to their regular customers of snappers, jacks, trevally, mackeral and even the odd barracuda.

Next on the protected list is a completely submerged pinnacle referred to, for obvious reasons as Anemone Reef. The pinnacle is now only half the size of what it used to be, but the marine life has stayed put and relocated to host a different sea anemone, or slithered into the confines of another rocky ledge or crevice. The shallowest part of the reef is seven metres beneath the surface and is literally covered in sea anemones hosted by numerous species of clown fish. Closer inspection reveals even more symbiotic residents such as tiny anemone crabs and cleaner shrimps, only visible by their translucent internal organs. Enormous healthy gorgonian seafans backdrop hovering prides of Indian Lionfish and large clusters of radiant soft corals.

The reason for the drastic reduction in the size of the reef came courtesy of the King Cruiser Car Ferry which, on 4th May 1997, bottomed on it! However, the ferry has remained in place and is now an integral member of the sanctuary. The impact tore a large hole in its keel sending it to the bottom in just seventeen minutes! The submerged structure now attracts a high diversity of marine life and the formation of an artificial reef is already well underway. Invertebrates have already taken up residence under small sheets of peeling paint and schools of juvenile reef fish hover around the barnacle encrusted frame. Daylight penetrates the majority of the wreck but there are still a number of areas that would be better explored with the aid of a artificial light source.

The islet of Koh Dok Mai sits 10kms to the west of the sanctuary and is a popular destination to break up the journey either to or from the previously mentioned sites. The east wall features healthy seafans, barrel and encrusting sponges and in the depths, bivalves clinging to seawhips. Two caves break this section of the dive; the wall and ceiling of the larger of the two are rich in soft corals. Beware however, as the cave gradually tapers into a narrow crevice and extreme caution, not to mention the employment of special cave diving skills, are necessary. It is recommended that divers do not enter; rather they can explore the cave in greater safety by torch light. Marine life, particularly reef fish, is more prominent in the shallower waters and mainly consists of reasonably sized morays, black banded sea kraits, honeycomb groupers and angelfish. There is also a good chance of seeing leopard sharks on the sand as well as perhaps the occasional turtle.

Also on offer are the colourful sites off the Phi Phi Islands. The deeper waters around Racha Noi island offer good diving for the more experienced divers. Alternately, the shallows lapping Racha Yai are ideal for novices and diver training. The waters around the Phi Phi Islands are generally graced with good visibility, mild currents and the representation and selection of corals is also good. Although there are numerous sites around the islands, three stand out as the most frequently visited.

The seascape found at Nui Bay can be divided into a couple of sections. The waters off the eastern face are shallow and ideal for snorkellers. Colourful reef fish flit around sponge encrusted boulders and rocks. More colour is added by a multitude of Christmas tree worms and branches of soft corals. The western side of the site features a wall that descends to the much greater depth of 31m. At the southern end, the bottom encounters rocks that dramatically climb towards the east; whereas the northwestern apex deepens to find large boulders; many of which are precariously balanced on top of each other. The wall itself features a wealth of marine life. There are numerous moray eels, squadrons of lionfish and pairs of angelfish. A large rising crevice about mid way is littered with radiant corals and small seafans, which are further emphasised by Butterfly fish, boxfish, Moorish Idols and Pennant bannerfish. This site is a good location for spotting the smaller critters such as harlequin ghost pipefishes and tigertail seahorses.

There are two larger rocky outcrops to the south of the main islands, namely Koh Bida Nai (Inner) and Nok (outer). Although both are admired dive sites, the outer one takes preference. There are many Gorgonian seafans, sea whips and colourful soft corals here at all depths. Many bearded scorpionfish disguise themselves amidst the rocks and various species of lionfish hover between. If that is not enough of an experience, this marvellous site offers leopard sharks and a terrific variety of blennies and gobies in the sand! Another bonus of these waters is that mantas rays and whale sharks are spotted with more frequency than at any of the other local sites, especially in the latter months of the diving season.

The numerous sites dotted around the area are a joy for the experienced diver; the ones mentioned are the most popular today. If, in addition, you add these to the World-Class live-aboard destinations on offer you are spoilt for choice. As for finding the operators, it couldn't be easier. They all have information packed websites. If you are not electronically connected then just take a stroll along one of the southern beach areas and you'll soon find them! As for other services, for whatever you want, there is a good chance that you will find it. Perhaps simply education. or retail products, or of course, just adventurous diving. Phuket can easily be regarded as Thailand's'One Stop Dive Centre'!