For divers who prefer not to spend all day on a dive boat but prefer the convenience of diving from shore Phuket does have a limited number of options. Shore dives are available along the west coast beaches of Phuket from November to April.  From May to October waves on the beaches make shore diving impossible. Shore dives often have low visibility on silted reefs and you are unlikely to see any large marine life but critters can be spotted and these sites can make a very pleasant morning or afternoon dive. They are perfect sites for a quick refresher dive, for a training dive or for a night dive.
Kamala Beach has a shallow offshore reef running parallel that can be walked out to. Further off shore is an island called Koh Waeo that is accessed by longtail boat. Dive centres in the Kamala and Bangtao beach areas often take divers to KOh Waeo first then to a small tin miner wreck closer in to Bangtao beach. The wreck itself is not that exciting although the excavator buckets are still present. What is impressivle are the large stonefish and the crocodile fish in the sand around the wreck.
No dive centres offer dives directly off Patong beach except for training dive scenarios like rescue diver courses. Longtail boats do take divers to several spots on the outside of the bay. These rocky reefs are suprisingly healthy. Divers who have just arrived in Phuket and are departing on a liveaboard in the evening often do one of these dives to test equipment and weights. A favourite dive from Patong beach is a longtail dive to a small secluded beach south of Patong beach call Freedom beach where a small restaurant can provide a relaxed lunch on the beach after the dive.... Continued >>
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