Patong Beach - Diving Holiday Destination

Patong Beach (Thailand)

Known as the 'Pearl of the Andaman Sea', Phuket Island lies just off the southwest coast of Thailand.

Phuket Island connects to Southern Thailand on the Andaman Sea coast via a bridge, it is surrounded by 32 smaller islands that form part of Phuket province. Its size is about 570 square kilometers (widest point 21.3km, longest 48.7km) and about 70% is mountains. The highest point of the island is 529m.

The island is fringed with long sandy beaches, where visitors can soak up the sun or relax in the shade of the palm trees. The interior of Phuket is filled with mountains and jungles - perfect for hiking or elephant trekking.

As well as being Thailand's largest island, Phuket is also Thailand's most developed province. Traditionally, Phuket's successful economy depended on tin mines and rubber plantations. These days, however, the majority of the island's income is generated by tourism

Phuket's principle resort, Patong, lies on a long, curving beach on the west coast of the island. A truly international town, Patong provides guests with every conceivable amenity. Accommodation ranging from 5-star deluxe hotels to low-priced guesthouses will suit every budget. Patong's famous nightlife has something for everyone, from picturesque beachside cafes to bars and nightclubs, where you can party until the sun rises. Restaurants feature cuisines from around the world and shoppers will find infinite bargains.

The Andaman Sea is among the best of Asia's dive areas, as it is teeming with marine life like schools of barracuda and tuna as well as manta rays and whale sharks, swimming between its bizarre rock formations and lush coral gardens.

Climate

Phuket has a moist, tropical climate, influenced chiefly by monsoon winds that vary in direction according to the season. From March to September, as the sun's rays strike directly above the equator, the landmass of Asia is heated more than is the Indian Ocean. This draws moist hot air from the ocean over Phuket and southern Thailand, bringing the rains of the southwest monsoon. By mid-April the winds are mainly from the southwest and are heavy with moisture. From the middle of December until the beginning of May we enter the high season for diving in Phuket. Gentle winds and temperature during this time and no rains produce ideal diving conditions.

Dive Facts

Water temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius and a visibility of up to 40 meters.

Dive Attractions

See more about Phuket Dive Sites in our Dive Sites Directory, and Phuket Dive Clubs & Tour Operators in our Dive Club Directory.

Close to Phuket there are several world-class dive sites, offering everything from gentle coral reefs to dramatic wall dives and also an 87-meters wreck. There really is something there for everyone, from the novice to the most experienced diver.

Some of the best Dive Sites include Shark Point with its resident leopard sharks, the King Cruiser wreck, or the tropical islands of Racha Yai and Racha Noi, which are reknown for their exceptional beauty -- both underwater and on the surface!

Anemone Reef and Shark Point have plenty of marine life, both small and large. Phuket's own shipwreck, King Cruiser, is situated close to Anemone Reef, and offers excellend wreck diving for both experienced and new divers. All day trips include two to three dives depending on the dive trip destination.

See our Dive Site Directory for more detail abour King Cruiser Wreck and Shark Point, and our dive club Directory for thai Dive Clubs and Tour Operators.

Other

Currency: Baht

Language: Thai, with English widely understood

Atlantic Scuba

Patong is either your dream destination or a nightmare. Lots of loud bars and discos, you frequently get accosted by people offering you a 'pussy show'. Bars with women and lady boys galore, fake designer labels and cheap tat. I could be describing Thailand, but Patong has in concentrated in one road, Soi Bang-La.

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