Phuket is often referred to as the 'Pearl of the South' and for scuba divers it's certainly the crown jewel of the
Andaman Sea; one of the most renowned diving regions in the world. This island paradise lies only 8o north
of the equator, enjoying a tropical climate with average water temperature of 24oC (78o F) with an unmatched
variety of aquatic life. The best time for diving is between October and May between the two monsoons,
but good diving is available all year. A fleet of dive boats now roam the azure blue water of the Andaman
Sea that for thousands of years served as the main trade route for merchant vessels, pirates, explorers
and missionaries from India, the Arab nations and Europe on their way to China, ancient Siam (Thailand),
and Japan. In spite of its strategic location and long maritime history, many areas of the Andaman Sea remain
largely unexplored. This underwater frontier continues to yield exciting new dive sites that are only now being
made available for sport diving.
