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destinations cost slightly more since you’ll be forking over some extra dough for your boat’s petrol. Most operators on Phuket take divers to the nine decent sites orbiting the island, like Ko Raya Noi and Ko Raya Yai (also called Ko Racha Noi and Ko Racha Yai); however, these spots rank lower on the wow-o-meter. The reef off the southern tip of Raya Noi is particularly good for experienced divers. It’s a deep site where soft corals cling to boulders, around which pelagic fish species, like barracuda, rainbow runners and trevally, roam. Manta and marble rays are also frequently glimpsed here, and if you’re lucky, you may even see a whale shark.

A typical two-dive day trip (including equipment) to nearby sites costs around 3000B to 4000B. Nondivers (and snorkellers) are permitted to join such dive trips for a significant discount. A four-day PADI Open Water certification course costs around 12,500B to 15,000B. The best diving months are December to May, when the weather is good and the sea is at its clearest (and boat trips are less rocky).

At first glance, it seems like are hundreds of dive shops on the island, when in fact the number is much, much smaller. Most of these ‘operators’ are merely booking agencies that charge a hefty fee and find you a spot on a random boat with some random school. Customers tend to be dissatisfied as these companies are usually involved in unsavoury money-making schemes. On Phuket it is always best to book directly with a dive school that has its own boat and accreditation. Like in any diving destination, picking a diving school can be tricky and will greatly affect your experience underwater. Read the Ko Tao diving section ( Click here) for pointers about choosing a diving operation.

The Phuket dive operations listed below are recommended, and specialise in a variety of day trips to nearby sites. For information about quality live-aboards to the Similan and Surin islands Click here. If you are interested in diving Hin Daeng/Hin Muang (and have time to swing down to Ko Lanta) Click here.

Dive Asia ( Map; 0 7633 0598; www.diveasia.com; 24 Th Karon, Kata) There is a second location at 623 Th Karon near Karon Beach.

Scuba Cat ( Map; 0 7629 3120; www.scubacat.com; 94 Th Thawiwong, Patong)

Sea Bees (0 7638 1765; www.sea-bees.com; 69 1/3 Moo 9 Viset, Ao Chalong) Also operates out of Khao Lak.

Sea Fun Divers (off Map; 0 7634 0480; www.seafundivers.com; 29 Soi Karon Nui, Patong) An outstanding and very professional diving operation. Standards are extremely high and service is impeccable. There’s an office at the Le Meridien resort in Patong, and a second location at the Katathani Resort ( Click here) in Kata Noi.

There are three hyperbaric chambers on Phuket.

Bangkok International Hospital ( Map; 0 7634 2518; 231-233 Th Rat Uthit, Patong)

Phuket International Hospital ( Map; 0 7624 9400, emergency 0 7621 0935) Just outside Phuket Town.

Wachira Hospital ( Map; 0 7621 1114) Outside Phuket Town.

SNORKELLING

Snorkelling is best along Phuket’s west coast, particularly at the rocky headlands between beaches. Mask, snorkel and fins can be rented for around 250B a day. As with scuba diving, you’ll find better snorkelling, with greater visibility and variety of marine life, along the shores of small outlying islands such as Ko Raya Yai and Ko Raya Noi.

Recommended snorkel tour operators:

Offspray Leisure (08 1894 1274; www.offsprayleisure.com; 43/87 Chalong Plaza; trips from 2950B) This dive and snorkelling excursion company specialises in trips to the reefs around Ko Phi-Phi. Its high-speed boat will get you there in 45 minutes, compared to the usual 1½ hours (minimum), which leaves you more time to enjoy the water. It also keeps its client loads small, which lends an intimate feel – something missing among most other dive operators on Phuket.

Oi’s Longtail (08 1978 5728; 66 Moo 3, Hat Nai Yang; tours 1600B) Oi specialises in two-hour snorkelling tours of the reefs around Ko Waeo. Cost includes snorkelling gear. Located at Bank restaurant, opposite the long-tail boat harbour.

SURFING

Phuket