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Phuket's West Coast
By John Williams - Photos by Ashley J. Boyd
 Though
most serious divers will immediately book a longer live-aboard
boat to the Similans and beyond when contemplating a Thai diving
holiday, Phuket does offer some fine day trips and shorter overnight
cruises to its west coast and offshore islands. One and two tank
half-day and full day diving excursions are available through
most of the dive centres in both Patong and Kata, as well as from
some of the new hotels in the Bang Tao area near the airport.
Phuket's west coast offers casual diving, usually from a local
long tail boat. Although not the easiest of boats to dive from,
they do have the advantage of being able to pull right up to the
beach and, are relatively inexpensive to hire. It is also what
you might call a "cultural experience" to take a short trip in
one.
 Some
of the dive areas off the west coast include Patong Bay, Freedom
Beach, Paradise Beach, Bang Tao, Kata Beach, and Koh Pu. All of
these spots are popular training areas and actually do offer some
pleasant, easy diving, although Phuket's offshore areas are much
better. One of the best areas is right off the beach in Kata,
where the coral reef parallels the bay's northern rocky point.
Averaging a depth of only five or six meters, the amount of marine
life surprises the most seasoned diver. I've seen all sorts of
unusual fish here including ghost pipe fish, dragon wrasses, crocodile
fish, and sea robins. I've also had lionfish swim up to diving
classes and peer into each student's individual mask as if looking
for an explanation. Expect the unexpected on Phuket's west coast.
| At a Glance: Phuket's West
Coast |
| Reef type: |
Coral gardens, rocky points, boulders |
| Access: |
1/2 day trips through dive centres |
| Visibility: |
Average to poor |
| Current: |
Variable, sometimes strong |
| Coral: |
Good varieties of hard corals |
| Fish: |
Good, but not the best spots for fish |
| Highlights: |
Unusual fish life, easy to get to areas.
Good for beginners |
Source: ©Siam Dive n' Sail
121/9 Patak Road, Mu 4, Karon, 83100 Phuket, Thailand
Tel: 66-76/330-967 Fax: 66-76/330-990
E-mail: info@siamdivers.com
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