Kata Beach PADI Discover Scuba Diving Victory

The Best Phuket Diving Season

Written By
Ash Walker
General Manager & PADI Master Instructor

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What is the best Phuket diving season for you?

Scuba diving is an activity that can be enjoyed all year round in Phuket, Thailand. With Phuket’s warm waters, diverse marine life, and stunning underwater scenery, this tropical paradise offers a unique diving experience to divers of all levels. However, there are some seasons that stand out as the best times to go diving in Phuket. In this blog post, we will discuss the best season for scuba diving in Phuket.

The high season for diving in Phuket is from November to April, with late December being one of the busiest periods for tourism & scuba diving in Phuket. During these months, the sea is calmer and clearer, offering excellent visibility underwater. The temperature is also cooler, making it a more comfortable experience for divers. This period is also considered the best time for liveaboard trips to the Similan Islands, where divers can witness large schools of fish, whale sharks, and manta rays.

Low Season Diving In Phuket

If you don’t like large crowds then May to October is considered the low season for diving in Phuket, also known as the monsoon season. While the weather may be less predictable during these months, the diving conditions are still good, and divers can expect to see a wide variety of marine life. Additionally, diving during the low season means fewer crowds, along with discounted accommodation in Phuket & cheaper flights which makes it a great time for budget-conscious travellers.

Diving In Phuket from December to May (High Season Diving)

One of the unique features of diving in Phuket during the high season is the presence of the famous manta rays. These magnificent creatures can be spotted in the waters around Phuket from December to May, making it the best time to dive with them. With their graceful movements and impressive size, diving with mantas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Giant Manta saying hello while Scuba diving in Phuket, Thailand with Aussie Divers

Another reason to dive in Phuket during the high season is the possibility of encountering whale sharks. These gentle giants can be spotted around the Similan Islands from November to May, with the best chances of sighting them at the world-famous Richelieu Rock. Diving with these majestic creatures is a bucket list experience for many divers, and scuba diving in Phuket offers an excellent opportunity to do so.

Whale Shark Phuket Thailand Liveaboard Scuba Diving Best

In conclusion, Phuket is a year-round diving destination, but the best season for diving depends on your preferences and priorities. If you’re looking for calm seas, excellent visibility, and Similan live-aboard trips, the high season from November to April is the best time to go.

However, if you want less crowds and tourists plus don’t mind a bit of rain, the monsoon season from May to October is a great option. Regardless of when you visit, you’re sure to have an unforgettable diving experience in Phuket.

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Dates for Aussie Divers Phuket IDC and PADI IE

Here is a list of the Aussie Divers Phuket PADI IDCs dates for 2026, including the PADI IE dates for Phuket.

Month
Early Preparation
IDC Course
PADI IE Phuket
Specialty Dates
January ’26
1st – 4th
5th – 16th
17th – 18th
19th – 23rd
February ’26
28th Jan – 1st Feb
2nd – 13th
14th – 15th
16th – 20th
March ’26
25th Feb – 1st Mar
2nd – 13th
14th – 15th
16th – 20th
April ’26
1st – 5th
6th – 17th
18th – 19th
20th – 24th
May ’26
29th Apr – 3rd May
4th – 15th
16th – 17th
18th – 22nd
June ’26
3rd – 7th
8th – 19th
20th – 21st
22nd – 26th
July ’26
1st – 5th
6th – 17th
18th – 19th
20st – 24th
August ’26
29th Jul – 2nd Aug
3rd – 14th
15th – 16th
17th – 21st
September ’26
2nd – 6th
7th – 18th
19th – 20th
21st – 25th
October ’26
30th Sept – 4th Oct
5th – 16th
17th – 18th
19th- 23rd
November ’26
4th – 8th
9th – 20th
21st – 22nd
23rd – 27th
December ’26
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12th – 13th
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