| Where is Phuket? |
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| Phuket is located 535miles/862km from Thailand’s capital city Bangkok. It is located on Thailand’s west coast on the Andaman (Indian Ocean) Sea. Phuket is Thailand’s largest island covering an area of 206sqmiles/534sqkm. |
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| How do I get there? |
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| Phuket has an international airport with direct flights to Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong. Between November and April there are charter flights to many European Cities as well. Thai airways offers 10-12 daily direct flights to Bangkok |
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| Do I need a visa? |
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| Visitors from most Western Countries including Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand are granted a 30 day stay on arrival. Other nationals are required to produce a tourist visa and should contact your local Thai consulate for more details. |
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| Transportation from the airport? |
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| Phuket International Airport is located about 45 mins north of the major Beach centers. There is a minibus service operating for about 150 Baht per person, or a private taxi may be hired for about 700 Baht per car. Dive Travel Asia will be more than happy top arrange a hotel transfer for our guests, please contact us with your flight details. |
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| Where can I change money? |
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| Thailand's Currency is the Thai Baht, and can be exchanged on arrival at Phuket airport. The exchange rate towards the British Pound (£) is around 70 Baht for 1 pound£, US$ is around 40 Baht for 1 US$ and about 50 Baht to 1 Euro€. Commercial banks, currency exchanges, ATM Machines, and major hotels provide currency exchange services at Phuket's major beach centers. Credit cards are widely accepted. |
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| Where can I stay? |
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| If you are diving during the day and coming back to Phuket for your evening’s entertainment and rest, there are many different types of accommodation to choose from. These range from basic bungalows/guesthouses with fan and approx 5 minutes walk to the beach for 300-600Baht ; air-con guesthouses/hotels for 800-1500 Baht; and luxury resort hotels from 1500 Baht and upwards. Accommodation can be found in all major centers, either with plenty of night-life or in quiet, secluded bays around the island. For divers the most convenient location to stay is Karon or Kata Beach, as it is close to our Dive Center. |
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| What is the best time of year to visit? |
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| November to April is Phuket's dry season, and Dive Travel Asia runs a full program of Daytrips, Liveaboards, and PADI Courses. You can expect an average temp of 30C/89F, sunny weather, and calm seas during most of this time.
The rainy season lasts from May till October, and Dive Travel Asia continues to run a full program of PADI Courses and Daytrips, but there are no Liveaboard trips available. There are many sunny days however throughout the rainy season, and showers normally last little more than 2-3 hours. Expect temperatures similar to the dry season, but rough sea conditions can occur during this time.
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| What about the Food? |
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| Few places in the world can provide the quality and variety of food available here in Phuket. You can choose between local Thai restaurants (Phuket is famous for its seafood) and every kind of Western/European cuisine. |
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| Health |
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| You should take the normal precautions, like on any other journey. Malaria prophylaxis is not necessary. Phuket has 3 international hospitals in case you should require any medical assistance. |
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| What about tipping? |
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| Tipping in Thailand is entirely a matter of choice if you have enjoyed the service you receive. On a week-long liveaboard trip, if you feel you have received excellent and friendly service from our Thai crew and staff, you may wish to leave a hundred or so baht per day ($2.5 USD) to share amongst them, although this is at your discretion. |
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| Is there anything to do topside? |
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| Phuket is a world class holiday destination offering first class beaches, great shopping and a glittering nightlife. You won't run out of things to do, we promise. At Dive Travel Asia we will be happy to arrange trips and tours above the water as well. Please see our Trips and Tours section. |
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| Tsunami Damage? |
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| Many areas of Phuket were hit during the December 26th Tsunami. The main tourist area’s, Patong, Kata and Karon Beaches have almost fully recovered with only small areas of rebuilding continuing. The people of Thailand have been trying to regain there businesses, homes since that awful day, the best way you can help is to come here, and not to stay away. Phuket is still and will continue to be one of the worlds favorite tourist destinations. |
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