Phuket

It is known as "South Pearl" and is the biggest island in Thailand. It is 49 Km (31 miles) north to south and 21 Km (13 miles) east to west. Phuket has a chain of mountains and valleys from north to south. Its highest peak is 539 meters (1780 ft) high.
It is located on the southwest coast; the land has long and wide beaches, cliffs, valleys, lagoons, and all types of vegetation.
The island is divided into five different zones: Patong beach, the South coast, the town of Phuket, the north coast, and the north central coast.

Patong

Patong (which means banana plantation) is the preferred place for lodging and obtaining a dive operator. It is the most popular beach in Phuket. There are dozens of dive operators, an extensive beach, clothing shops, electronic shops, restaurants, every kind of hotels, bars, pubs, nightclubs, travel agencies, and massage parlors. As soon as night comes, the nightlife begins and it ends late. The four-kilometer long beach has white sand and is the most developed. One can find every type of water activity and water sports. It is not the best place to find tranquility. It is a place for those looking for high flying activities and a never-ending nightlife.
From Patong ships sail off to the best diving spots like Racha Yai, Shark's Point, and Anemone's Reef. These spots can also be accessed from Koh Phi Phi. The trips take about 30 to 45 minutes. Divers can also get to the islands of Similan, Surin, and Richelieu Rocks.

The Similian Islands

Are a group of nine islands that are located 90 Km (56 miles) northeast of Phuket and is the most visited in Thailand. It has all different types of marine life. It possesses one of the most colorful reef in the world. It also has the best diving facilities in Thailand. The islands have clear waters, white sand, and isolated rocky bays.

The islands of Surin and Richelieu Rock

Some 16 Km (10 miles) north of the islands of Similan are these five small islands. This area offers some great dives. The underwater conditions are different from the island of Similan.
Surin is the home to water gypsies that spend the majority of their lifetime on water. Only coming to land for short times to take refuge in their fragile cabins built on the piers.

Richelieu Rock is famous for its shark whales. It is one of the only places in the world where they can be seen with regularity. They normally appear when the visibility is low and the water temperature is cold. It has one of the best reef in the area. The beautiful and colorful fish make divers return to this site for repeated dives.

The Island of Phi Phi

The island is very calm. There is traffic and everyone walks around bear footed. Beside diving and snorkeling, one can also enjoy cliff climbing, kayaking, aquatic skiing, fishing, and sailing. Phi Phi is a group of six islands, but only one of them is habited. The other islands are Phi Phi Leh, Bamboo, Yung, Bida Nok, and Bida Nai. These islands are just amazing, over and under water. Some of the best reefs and the most beautiful views of the Sea of Andaman surround Phi Phi. Leopard sharks, sea turtles, eels, barracudas, rays, dolphins and whales can often be seen in its waters. Walls, caves, corals, amazing passages beautiful beaches as seen in the movie the "Beach" starring Leo Di Caprio are what makes Phi Phi just an amazing place.

Shark's Point

Got its name from the numerous leopard sharks that rule its bottoms. Other creatures that can be found are sea snakes, sea turtles, rays, barracudas, and whale sharks.
Depths: 12 to 18 meters (40 to 60 ft)
Current Conditions: Light
Visibility: 20 meters (66 ft)
Access: Boat

Bida Islands

Bida islands are two small rocks that are located to the south of Phi Phi Leh. Some say they look like a pair of boots left in the water by a giant. The underwater views are just fantastic.

Bida Nok
Bida Nok are huge mountainous rocks that have cliff walls that abruptly fall into the waters below. Divers can find soft and hard coral, scorpion fish that hide between the rocks, lionfish, parrotfish, anemones, and clown fish. On the sand sharks and rays can be seen. At 20 meters (66 ft) down there is a cave with an exit.

Bida Nai
On the northeast side of Bida Nai there is a cave 20 meters (66 ft) down. To reach this site one must take boat. Dive towards the island (northeast). The swim back to the island takes 50 minutes. When the current is strong divers can see leopard sharks and squid among the colorful corals.
Depths: 19 to 30 meters (63 to 100 ft)
Current Conditions: none to light
Visibility: 20 meters (66 ft)
Access: Boat from the Ton Sai Bay

King Cruiser Wreck

The King Cruiser war built in Japan some 30 years ago. In May of 1997 it sunk in while leaving Phi Phi leaving a great site to dive. The boat was on its usual route from Phuket to Phi Phi when it hit a submerged rock. It sunk some 30 meters (100 ft).
King Cruiser is an excellent diving spot where divers can swim between the boats furniture and its many different compartments. It is an easy dive. The ship is big and it has an easy access. This is a good place to see how marine life begins to incorporate this wreckage as another home. All types of creatures have made this place their home. The ship is already covered in by corals. The ship sunk in a vertical position making the current very light. The ship begins at 10 meters down and it ends at 30 meters (100 ft).

It's remote and it can only be accessed by sea. For divers Koh Tao is an aquatic treasure with extraordinary variety of marine life. Chumpom and the west peak have barracudas, shark whales and manta rays.