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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 1½ 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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