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I took a day trip from Phuket to Coral Island (Koh Hae), which is surrounded by large and beautiful reefs. Diving is from the beach and in between dives you can snorkel, lay on the beach, sit in the bar etc.
The diveshops operate from the beach. I brought my own equipment (reg and BC), which in Thailand I would always recommend. From Phuket there are plenty of organizations that organize trips to Coral Island (every third store is a travel agency...).
I believe I paid about $20 per dive (incl. tank and air). ScubaRon
Lots of diveshops here, so nothing to worry about. I wouldn't go to Coral island though. Normally lots of snorkeling trips go here. Diving has been ruined by too many divers in the past.
In general: good diving in Phuket. Where to go? Depend on your experience and wishes. There is a nice wreck, some nice reef dives, and if you want a good chance of big life. I would recommend to do a Super Sunday trip, 1 dive Shark Point, 2 dives Phi Phi, and 1 nightdive. Maybe before doing this, go to Racha Yai to check things out again, and a nice dive at Anemone Reef (my personal favorite.
To find nice accommodation: Patong is very touristic, personally I prefer Karon or especially Kata. If you really only want diving, you could also stay in Chalong, the place from where the boats leave.
One thing to note when diving in Phuket, all the dive shops use the same boats (LARGE slow boats with divemasters from many shops) ... so shop around for the best price - usually off the strip. The vis is usually poor but lots of fish life on the dives. The dive trips are a full day - van picks you up around 8 takes you to dock (9:00) and boat leaves for dive sites ... you're back around 6:00.
I would recomend to go to the Similan islands instead of diving in Phuket. You can take a speed boat out to the liveaboards docked out there and only dive a couple days if you want.
A few things to point out to all you readers out there...
Similan day trips and overnight trips start in November from Phuket, so in September you have day trips around Phuket and Phi Phi. Some longer liveaboards start in October (3/4 day trips).
The day trip boats are large, comfortable (unless full, when you may feel a bit crowded) and not that slow actually, just they are not speedboats. Most dive shops (like the one I work for) don't have a boat. We book with those that do, so can get customers to different sites on the same day. Most trips have staff/students/divers who booked with many different companies and all paid the same price.
Look out for "OFF the stRIP" prices. (I think you mean, champ) You can book with little tour operators with shacks along the road. If so, then beware. They know nothing about diving except the price of the trip and how much discount they can give while still making a few baht commission. They cannot help you with equipment, they cannot answer any questions about dive sites, marine life etc.. Much better to book at a proper dive centre with staff who are pros. Maybe the little tour shacks offer you a cheaper price, but at what cost...
Visibility...variable on daytrips around Phuket. Average vis. for dive sites as follows ;
Racha Yai - 20 - 25m
Racha Noi - 30m
King Cruiser - 10- 15m (can be worse or can be better some days)
Shark Point/Anemone Reef - as King Cruiser
Phi Phi - 15m - as above.
Vis mainly varies with currents, heavy rainfall, and especially tides. Phi Phi and King Cruiser/Shark Point area can be less than 10m or can be 30m.
As a general recommendation the further South you are the easier it is to get to the dive boats - they operate from Chalong on the South East side of the island. From Kata beach it's only a 10 minute ride. If you stay up around the Bang tao bay area it's 45 minutes to 1 hour.
If you go to a reputable dive operator they will get you on the better boats. They will cost more but the cheaper trips are run aboard what are called the "cattle" boats i.e. very crowded.
I was in Phuket a little while ago. I found that for day trips you can book for quite similar rates through almost everyone - they all take the same boats. For classes rates vary, but so does instruction quality.
I went with Warm Water Divers http://warmwaterdivers.com. I was satisified. Oh yeah, and I liked the Kangaroo Bar on Bangla - but be careful there are two with similar names. The one nearer the beach with the motorcycles always in front was my choice.
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ScubaRon
