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Daytrips
Phuket |
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"World
Class Diving Daily"
Let Us Prepare a Custom Dive Schedule Just for You!
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For
those divers who want to combine their diving vacation with stunning
scenery and the luxury of shore based amenities, we offer awesome
day diving opportunities from amazing Phuket Island, the jewel of
the Andaman Sea. Phuket, an island paradise, has quickly become the
number one diving resort destination of Southeast Asia and enjoys
a year round tropical climate, as well as world class accommodations.
Divers can expect to experience one of the most incredibly diverse
marine ecosystems anywhere on the planet, and an enormous variety
of awe inspiring dive sites. Below are a few of our favourite sites!!
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Schedule
and Prices 2007-2008
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Destination
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Departure |
No.
of Dives
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Price
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Phi
Phi Islands
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Monday
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3
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$103
US
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Racha
Yai
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Tuesday
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2
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$88
US
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King
Cruiser
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Wednesday
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2
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$88
US
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Super
Racha Noi & Racha Yai
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Thursday
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3
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$103
US
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Phi
Phi Islands
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Friday
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3
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$103
US
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Shark
Point
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Saturday
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2
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$88
US
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Super
Racha Noi & Racha Yai
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Sunday
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3
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$103
US
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All Day Trips include
Free
transfers from Kata, Karon & Patong (pick up service from other
locations can be arranged for a small extra charge), breakfast,
lunch, fruits, coffee, tea, drinking water (Phi Phi Islands additional
dinner, Super Racha additional snack), 12 liter tanks & weights,
divemaster service (small groups with 4-5 divers)
Rental
Equipment/Day
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Regulator - 7 US$ |
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Dive Computer - 7 US$
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BCD - 7 US$ |
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15 liter Air Tank - 3 US$/dive
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Wetsuit - 3 US$ |
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Nitrox Tank - 7 US$/dive
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Mask/Snorkel/Fins - 3 US$
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Rebreather - 60 US$ |
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Full Set - 17 US$ |
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Digital U/W Camera from - 20 US$
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Special
Dive Packages on MV Dive Asia II
Book
6 or more dives for a 10% discount!
Book
10 or more dives for a 15% discount!
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West
Coast
Shark
Point Marine Sanctuary
Shark Point Marine Sanctuary actually consist of two seperate
dive sites: Shark Point and Anemone Reef. Given official marine sanctuary
status in 1992, both sites truly offer world class quality diving.
These rock pinnacles which are ranked among some of the best coral
reefs on the planet are home to an incredible and diverse variety
of marine life.
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Shark
Point
Depth: 6-25 meters (20-80 ft.)
Visibility: Fair to Excellent
Currents: Moderate to Strong
Experience Level: Beginner to Advanced |
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Rising
from the deep blue sea, the only evidence of Shark Point is the exposed
tip of a rock pinnacle, which is only a few meters above sea level.
However, once below the surface three large reef sections provide
a wealth of diving options, and an explosion of tropical species.
This reef is covered with brilliant purple and pink soft corals, sturdy
star and brain corals, not to mention the huge gorgonians and seafans.
Squadrons of jacks, tuna and snapper patrol the reef while stingrays
and barracudas cruise by. Leopard sharks, after whom the site was
named, can be seen on nearly every dive lying on the sandy bottom
surrounding the pinnacles. These harmless and generally shy sharks
which grow to over two meters are among the biggest attractions at
Shark Point. |
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Anemone
Reef
Depth: 6-30 meters (20-100 ft.)
Visibility: Fair to Good
Currents: Moderate to Strong
Experience Level: Beginner to Advanced |
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Lying
less than 600 meters to the north of Shark Point and just below the
surface, is an amazing reef which resembles Shark Point, only on a
smaller scale. True to its name, the top portion of this reef is covered
in a living carpet of sea anemones and soft coral. Many of the anemones
are home to delicate porcelain crabs, gorgeous anemone shrimp, and
one of four different species of clownfish.
Anemones are not all this stunning reef has to offer. The rocky slopes,
which drop off dramatically to a depth of over 30 meters are heavily
populated with brilliant soft coral growths, colorful gorgonians,
several species of moray eels and a number of invertebrates. This
site is also a haven to larger predators like grouper and snapper,
which terrorize small bait fish in the shallows. Keep your eyes open
for the larger pelagics, deep into the blue. |
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King
Cruiser Wreck
Depth: 6-30 meters (20-100 ft.)
Visibility: Fair to Good
Currents: Moderate to Strong
Experience level: Intermediate to Advanced |
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In
may of 1997, the King Cruiser was suddenly and suprisingly added to
Phukets dive site portfolio. During a sightseeing expedition, between
Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands, the passenger ferry savagely collided
with Anemone Reef and slowly but surely began to sink into the blue;
finally coming to rest on the sandy bottom one mile to the east of
Shark Point. Fortunately all persons onboard were rescued without
incidence and Phuket was provided with a fascinating wreck.
The King Cruiser is an enormous car ferry that was built in Japan
30 years ago, as a comfortable catamaran-hull passenger cruiser with
four decks. She has a length of 85 meters and a breadth of 25 meters.
She is lying in an almost upright position in fairly shallow waters.
The steering house is at about 10 meters below the surface while the
propellors rest at the deepest point of 32 meters. The most interesting
areas to explore are the passenger decks, between 15-20 meters deep.
Exploration of this area of the ship does not require penetration.
The wreck has quickly become a new home for many species of fish and
coral. Large schools of big mouth mackerel cruise in the blue, while
large groupers guard the holes and crevices. The wreck is an incredible
opportunity to observe the progress of marine life forms colonizing
a new part of their environment. |
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Racha Islands
To the south of Phuket lie two beautiful tropical islands, Koh
Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi. Both islands feature sloping hard coral
reefs punctuated with inspiring rock formations and patches of powdery
white sand. There is an abundance of marine life here which includes
schools of barracuda, lionfish, moray eels, nudibranchs and countless
other invertebrates. These two islands which are so similar and yet
so different offer a variety of diving experiences for both the beginner
and expert diver.
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Racha
Yai Island
Depth: 4-24 meters (15-80 ft.)
Visibility: Fair to Excellent
Currents: Slight
Experience Level: All Levels |
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Known
for its easy diving, crystal clear water and abudant marine life the
east side of Racha Yai is undoubtedly the best diving around this
island. A typical dive consist of a gentle drift along the sloping
rocky face while large schools of barracuda patrol the outer edges.
On the reef itself, it is common to encounter blue spotted stingrays,
octopus, colorful reef fishes and massive giant triggerfish.
On the northeast tip of the island there is also the wreck of the
Andaman Explorer sitting on the sandy bottom, at a depth of 24 meters.
The wreck attracts a variety of reef fish and large schools of the
unusual batfish. The diving here is generally very peaceful and allows
divers time to absorb all of its treasures. |
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Racha
Noi Island
Depth: 10-40 meters (30-130 ft.)
Visibility: Fair to Excellent
Currents: Strong
Experience Level: Advanced |
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A
few miles to the south af Racha Yai, the slender, rocky island of
Racha Noi offers, the experienced diver, conditions and scenery similar
to that found in the Similan Islands. The northern tip of the island
features rocky slopes, hard coral gardens and giant rock pinnacles
which start at the surface and plunge almost vertically to beyond
sport diving depth. Visibility is excellent during high season, ranging
from 20-40 meters. Marine life here includes both hard and soft corals,
crinoids of many colors, a wide variety of reef fish and there is
always the possibility of spotting the oceanic giants like Whale Sharks
and Manta Rays. As the depths are generally greater and the tidal
currents much stronger, the diving around this island is a bit more
challenging than on its sister island to the north. |
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Phi
Phi Islands
Lying 48 km to the southeast of Phuket are the picturesque Phi
Phi Islands. Deemed one of the ten most beautiful spots in the world,
Phi Phi has quickly gained a reputation as one of Asias premier diving
and tourist destinations. Consisting of two main islands and several
smaller ones, the surroundings at Phi Phi seem almost too beautiful
to be real.
Underwater, Phi Phi is equally as magnificent. The emerald green waters
hold numerous vertical walls, rugged caverns and caves, as well as
shallow coral gardens and sloping reefs. Marine life, which is abundant,
includes many small invertebrates, as well as the larger pelagics
passing by deep in the blue.
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Bida
Nai
Depth: 3-22 meters (9-70 ft.)
Visibility: Good to Excellent
Currents: Weak to Moderate
Experience Level: All Levels |
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Bida
Nai is a limestone monolith which rises straight from the water, to
a height of 40 meters and then drops to the sea bed at depths ranging
from 18-22 meters. The magnificent underwater topography, is dominated
by gently sloping walls, fallen boulders, and an undulating sandy
sea bed. Divers will enjoy schools of colorful reef fish, multi-colored
plume worms, bushy feather stars, as well as, vibrant red and pink
soft corals. While moray eels, spiny lobsters, and octopuses attempt
to obscure themselves in the many craggy holes and crevices; free-swimming
blacktips, barracudas, and the occasional Whale Shark patrol the blue! |
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Bida
Nok
Depth: 5-30 meters (15-100 ft.)
Visibility: Good to Excellent
Currents: Weak to Moderate
Experience Level: All Levels |
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While
similar to Bida Nai in apperance above the surface, Bida Nok is significantly
different under the water. Over the ions nature has created incredible
underwater caves, overhangs and swim-throughs in the soft limestone
rock. The southwest section of this site is littered with large boulders
on the sea bed, which form a mountain like terrain. This area is swarming
with large marine predators. The southeast section of the island features
a finger reef covered with whip coral, barrel sponges and a multitude
of vividly colored reef fish. The varied topography doesn’t end
here; Bida Nok also offers a small shelterd bay covered with gorgeous
anemones, and huge star corals. Marine life is also more varied here
than on Bida Nai. Along with the opportunity to see multiple leopard
sharks resting in the sand, divers will see plenty of scorpion fish,
enoromous gorgonian seafans, giant titan triggerfish and massive barrel
sponges that are hundreds of years old. This dive site rates as one
our favorite spots on the planet! |
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Manta
Ray and Whale Shark Safaris
Are you ready for an encounter with one of the big pelagics? If
you want to experience the thrill of diving with Manta Rays or a Whale
Shark there are few places on the planet that can deliver as Hin Daeng
and Hin Muang can during the months of January through April. It is
at this time that these two spectacular pinnacles deliver a Manta
Ray or Whale Shark encounter on 70% of our one day dive safaris from
Phuket Island. Nothing compares with the size and grace of a Manta
Ray as it circles you acrobatically, almost inviting you to play,
or the shear massiveness of a Whale Shark as it glides by almost within
touching distance. Come join the only dive company in Phuket offering
a one day Manta Ray Safari aboard a custom built speed boat and experience
the dive of a lifetime. Catch the entire expedition, including your
dives, on video. If we don't see one of the big boys your video is
on us at no charge. "Come with us and "Go
into the Blue".
Hin
Daeng and Hin Muang
Located
approximately 26 nautical miles from Koh Lanta these two pinnacles
offer some of the best diving in Thailand and feature the steepest
wall diving in the country. Similar in appearance to Richelieu Rock
near Koh Surin, these pinnacles are covered with soft and hard corals
and attract large schools of barracuda and jacks. This is also one
of the best places to encounter whalesharks and mantas.
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Hin
Daeng (Red Rock)
Depth: 6-50 meters (20-160 ft.)
Visibility: Fair to Excellent
Currents: Moderate to Strong
Experience Level: All Levels
Location: Southwest of Koh Lanta
Price: Charter Only |
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Hin
Daeng is undoubtely one of the best dive sites in Thailand. This massive
limestone pinnacle which only portrudes about three meters above the
surface is huge and impressive under the water. On the southwest side
a vertical wall drops straight down to over 50 meters. No other spot
in Thailand, except neighboring Hin Muang, has a wall like this. The
pinnacle is covered with colorful soft coral and oysters, with huge
beds of anemones in the shallower areas. On the eastern side where
the slope is more gentle, two long ridges descend into the blueness
where, if the currents are favorable, it is possible to descend down
to 40 meters or more. Here the soft coral becomes more lush and tall,
and huge schools of jacks, giant barracudas and fusiliers sweep past
the ridge. Keep your eyes open at about 25 meters for the giant mantas
that are always in attendance. The acrobatic manuevers of these large
creatures is certainly something you will never forget. |
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Hin
Muang (Purple Rock)
Depth: 9-55 meters (30-180 ft.)
Visibility: Fair to Excellent
Currents: Moderate to Strong
Experience Level: All Levels
Location: 600 meters west of Hin Daeng
Price: Charter Only |
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This
site compares favorably with some of the best sites in the country.
The reef which is composed mainly of rock is approximately 200 meters
long, less than 20 meters wide, and is shaped like an immense loaf
of bread with steep vertical sides and a rounded top. The rock is
completely covered with hard and soft coral, sea fans and anemones.
The richness of aquatic life here compares to that found in the Similans,
while oceanic visitors abound. Whalesharks, Silver Tips, Giant Mantas
– just about anything might decide to show up! Don't miss this
dive site it is a must see!!! |
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