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Diving in PhuketLong ignored by the masses, Thailand’s dive opportunities might just be the best-kept secret in the international diving community. Of course, the country’s beautiful waters are nothing new to Southeast Asians, and the more adventurous European or American divers, all of whom report the arresting charm of not one but two bountiful seas: the Gulf of Thailand in the east, and the Andaman Sea. It is the Andaman – which is part of the Indian Ocean – which can be reached from the beaches of Phuket. Diving operations have been vastly improved in recent years, especially in the Andaman Sea. Even the most discerning diver should be satisfied with the service provided by the majority of dive boats. There is a wide variety of marine life to explore, including some of the ocean’s most ferocious beasts. Shark Point In fact, the sharks you can spot at Thailand’s marine sanctuary, Shark Point, are not so ferocious. The docile Leopard sharks (stegastoma varium) can often be found taking it easy on the seabed. They are quite approachable creatures, very trusting and even described as ‘cute’ by some of the locals. Certainly, they’re as cute as sharks get! Shark Point is known locally as Hin Musang (Shark Rock), which is a pretty accurate description of what’s there. Centred around a tiny rocky outcrop, the site appears fairly innocuous at first glance. But once you are submerged, you see the splendor of the huge reef below, and the multitude of life it supports. Given official Marine Sanctuary status in 1992, Shark Point is located around 25km east of Chalong Bay in Phuket. As well as the eponymous sharks, you’ll see dazzling schools of fish shimmering through the water, and decorous soft corals and sea fans adorning the reef. As a diver, you can quite easily spend a few days exploring this one site. It has certainly proved the most popular diving spot for international visitors. Be warned though, there are a few strong currents to watch out for in these waters. But the sheer density of marine life contained within make it a must-see. Even if you don’t have the time or inclination to go on multiple dives, Shark Point makes for a great day trip. If you’re interested in diving, Thailand is a fantastic addition to your places-to-visit list. To book flights to Thailand, click the URL: http://www.dialaflight.com/flights/asia/thailand
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