Mai Thon Island

Mai Thon Island, situated just east of Chalong Bay in southern Phuket, is reportedly owned by one of the princesses of Thailand. This island is one of the dive sites closest to Chalong Bay, the primary departure point for most scuba diving boats in the area. Although not typically included in general day trips, Mai Thon serves as a backup site during bad weather when other dive sites become inaccessible due to strong winds and high waves.

Diving at Mai Thon Island offers a unique experience, especially since it appears to be a favourite spot for the local dolphin population. Dolphins have been spotted around 60% of the time during visits, although they are quite shy. Due to its rarity as a diving location, Mai Thon is often only explored during the wet season, with most dives conducted on the eastern side of the island. The dive site is relatively shallow, with depths ranging from 10 to 12 meters, and can sometimes be affected by poor visibility.

Despite the occasional challenging conditions, Mai Thon Island is home to a variety of marine life. Typical reef creatures such as eels and cuttlefish can be found here, and there have been rare sightings of leopard sharks and turtles. In 2014, a community group released breeding pairs of harlequin shrimp and bamboo sharks around the island to attract more divers. While it may not be as frequented as other dive sites, Mai Thon offers a unique and serene diving experience, particularly when other sites are not an option due to weather conditions.

Getting There

Dive boats go to Phi Phi & Shark Point every day of the week (weather permitting) as a part of the Phi Phi & Shark Point, 3 dive day trip from Phuket. This dive site can also be part of the King Cruiser, Shark Point day trip for Advanced divers.

All scuba diving sites are chosen at the discretion of the tour leader on the day of the dive. The selection of dive sites depends on weather conditions, currents, safety considerations, and the suitability for the majority of divers on the boat. Therefore, we cannot guarantee specific dive sites before the boat departs.