With its plethora of beautiful bays and beaches, and alluring turquoise waters; backed up by a heady nightlife and modern amenities, Phuket is Thailand's most popular tourist destination (outside of Bangkok). It is located in the Andaman Sea, just a short hour's plane ride south of the capital.
This tropical island is central to all of the region's best 60+ dive sites, including the Similans and the Phi Phi Islands, as well as having some of its own star attractions such as Shark Point, the Kingcruiser Wreck and the Racha Islands. [More information on these dive sites: Phuket].
Also known as 'The Pearl of the South', Phuket Island also has plenty to offer the holiday maker: exquisite beaches and islands, turquoise-blue waters, warmth and sunshine, top-quality resorts and hotels, Thai and international cuisine, coral reefs, scuba diving tours, water sports, ornate temples and of course lively nightlife.
Phuket is Thailand's largest island at 21 km wide and 48 km long. Driving from one end to the other takes around 1½ hours. Although some areas of the island have become quite built up, other parts of the island remain quiet and unspoilt and it is still a beautiful place. For great scuba diving packages, Phuket remains the best place to be in Thailand.
We recommend that you book a Phuket day trip diving package with us. Phuket Island is the ideal place to stay on a Thailand resort diving vacation. Discover it for yourself with our:
Whichever option you choose, stays of 1 to 2 weeks are ideal. Phuket dive tour packages normally include diving, breakfast, lunch and boat-hotel transfers.
Phuket's has a tropical climate which means it is warm all year long and there is plenty of sunshine. The tourist high season runs from November to April. Peak season is December and January, which are the busiest months. Accommodation can be more expensive at this time and the dive sites can be crowded, particularly the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock.
The northeast monsoon prevails from November into March/April bringing great beach weather with blue skies and light breezes. The island averages 26 sunny days a month at this time.
We recommend you visit anytime but from late January to April is the prime time, even as a non-diver, as there a fewer tourists and you can find better value accommodation. The sea is at its calmest and the dive sites have fewer visitors.
From May to October the southwest monsoon brings rain and winds to southern Thailand's west coast. The rain is intermittent with just the odd shower although there can be rainy days. Phuket still averages 20 sunny days per month in the rainy season.
The seas can be choppy at times during this season and diving trip boat rides from Phuket can be rough. The waves are great for surfing and a growing number of surfers and water sports enthusiasts are attracted to the Andaman coast at this time of year. However swimmers should take care especially if there are rip tides present.
The hottest weather on the island occurs between April and May when the temperatures average in the early 30°C's with the odd rain shower cooling things down slightly. It is also hot from September through October but the frequent rainfall provides a drop in temperature.
Phuket Island is situated in the south of Thailand off the Thai/Myanmar/Malay peninsula in the Andaman Sea. Its international airport has direct flights to/from several main destinations: Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Singapore, Bali, Hong Kong, and Bangkok in Thailand. Flights from Bangkok are with Air Asia, Thai Airways, Nok Air or Bangkok Airways among others. and run daily, almost every hour. Journey time is around 1 hour and a return flight costs around USD 150. The airport is located in the north of the island, about 40 km from Patong Beach. The journey takes around 45 minutes in a taxi. We can arrange transfer for you at a cost of approximately USD 20 each way.
Alternatively there are daily bus and train services between Bangkok and Phuket. This is a more affordable way of travelling but takes time at around 12 hours.
We highly recommend insurance for your diving package, travel, and trip cancellations. Our program offers reliable coverage at great value:
As one of the world's premier dive destinations, Phuket offers exceptional diver-friendly accommodations for every budget. Our trusted partner, HotelsCombined.com, features everything from cozy guesthouses to luxurious 5-star beachfront resorts, you're guaranteed to find your ideal match.
Browse their extensive Phuket property listings, get instant answers via their helpful online chat, and secure your reservation with a simple credit card payment. Every booking comes with their 'Low Price Guarantee', ensuring you always get the best available rate for your chosen accommodation:
Immediate attention getting back to me via email. I hate it when a dive operator has an email & website but ignore me. That was fantastic organising a trip with no hassles and immediate attention. Thank you for the fantastic advice, guidance and the booking that made my trip go without a hitch!
