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Phi Phi Divesites
Phi Phi Islands (Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le), some 40km (25mi) southeast of Phuket and about 2hrs by motor boat, are among the most beautiful islands in the world. They also have some excellent dive sites between 10m and 30m (33 and 98ft), with a visibility of 15m-25m (49-82ft). In particular, the islands offer several cave dives and many impressive wall dives. In addition there are many hard and soft corals and an abundant marine life. In the tropical reefs one can see, among other fish, white tip sharks, lepopard sharks, turtels, sea snaks, sting rays and moray eels.
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Shark Point
Shark Point consists of three pinnacles lying north to south which between them have a high proportion of both Hard and Soft Corals in all depths. All manners of reef residents animate the otherwise fixed patterns of color. Sea Anemones for instance Sway Back and Forth in mild currents and wave erratically in stronger flowers. Between the pinnacles the Seabed is fairly barren. The Leopard Sharks rest here and many a diver has had the wonderful experience of observing at close hand this harmless bottom feeder. A required interaction continues at the sites many cleaning stations which are hosted by a multitude of Cleaning Fish and Shrimps. Regular customers include a variety of Snappers, Jacks, Trevally, Mackeral and the occasional Barracuda.
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The Anemone Reef
Next to Shark Point Phuket is a completely submerged pinnacle referred called Anemone Reef. The pinnacle is now only the half the size of what it used to be, but the marine life has stayed put and relocated to host a different Sea Anemone, or slithered into the confides of another rocky ledge or crevice; the concentration of marine life throughout the site has seemingly increased two-fold.
The shallowest part sits in a mere seven meters below the water's surface and is literally covered in Sea Anemones hosted by numerous species of Clown Fish, though closer inspection reveals even more symbiotic residents including tiny Anemone Crabs and clear Cleaner Shrimps, only visible by their translucent internal organs. As far as the corals go enormous healthy Gorgonian Sea Fans backdrop hovering prides of Indian Lionfish and large clusters of radiant Soft Corals more than adequately disguised paired Harlequin ghost Pipe Fish. |
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Wreckdiving King Cruiser
The structure of King Cruiser attracts a high diversity of marine life and the formation of an artificial reef is well underway; numerous invertebrates have taken to shelter beneath small sheets of Peeling Paint and Morays lie in wait under rows of seats, now acting as lairs.
Around the barnacle-encrusted frame are schools of Juvenile Fish which seemingly increase in size and number with every visit. Daylight penetrates the majority of the wreck but there is still a number of areas that would be better explored with the aid of an artificial light source.
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Racha Yai & Racha Noi
Raja Yai about 1ฝ hours South of Phuket is a beautiful tropical island with a lot of good hard coral reefs, colorful shallow water coral gardens and a great opportunity for some enjoyable drift diving. There are several excellent dive sites particularly suitable for the beginner and snorkeler, making this island a favorite destination for everyone.
Raja Noi offers in addition to Raja Yai's attractions some truly spectacular sites with giant underwater boulders and scenery almost like the Similans and a great chance to see manta rays and whale sharks.
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Koh Dok Mai
This small, jungle topped island lies halfway between Shark Point and Phuket. It provides some of the best wall diving in the area with sea fans, soft corals and colorful sea life decorating its underwater cliffs.
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