Kata Beach

If you’re short on time but still want to scuba dive in Phuket, the half-day Kata Beach Dive might be perfect for you. This easy shore dive is conducted directly from the northern end of Kata Beach. It’s an ideal site to refresh your diving skills if you haven’t been in the water for a while. Historically, Kata Beach was overlooked as a serious dive site for experienced divers.

However, since late 2017 and early 2018, and especially during the low tourist numbers over the COVID-19 period, there has been an explosion of marine life at Kata Reef, Phuket, Thailand. This site has now become a unique and accessible dive for those looking for something different.

Please note that Kata house reef is a shallow dive site with variable visibility. Dives are best planned around high or slack tide when water movement is minimal and visibility is better. If planning a single dive, about an hour before slack high tide is the optimal time.

Scuba diving at Kata Beach can reveal a range of unique creatures not typically found at other Phuket dive sites. The site hosts resident mimic octopus, rare rays, sea moths, snake eels, seahorses, cuttlefish, reef fish, pelagic fish, squid, occasional turtles, and, if you’re very lucky, a reef shark. Kata reef also offers fantastic macro life, making it a favorite for underwater photographers. The site boasts a great selection of nudibranchs, attracting instructors with their cameras even on their days off.

For those who enjoy taking their time or underwater photography, this could be an appealing dive. Kata Beach is best dived during Phuket’s dry season, from late October to late May, with the premium months being December to April.