Patong beach is a bustling tourist destination in Thailand’s Phuket Province and lies north of its equally popular neighbours, Karon and Kata Beaches. Attracting divers and non-divers alike from all around the globe, it’s the perfect spot for seasoned and beginner divers to explore the best that Thailand has to offer underwater.

Dive centers and resorts are aplenty, and offer dive courses from open water, up to professional levels. Half and full-day dive trips are available locally or further afield to sites around the Phi Phi Islands, Koh Racha Islands and Koh Dok Mai. Patong itself has good reefs that are reached by longtail boat, and nearby sites like at the northern and southern end of Kata Beach boast beautiful reefs, as do Karon Beach, Kamala Beach and Nai Yang.  Liveaboard cruises here are extremely popular among certified divers, as they allow for a much broader exploration
 

Diving is year-round, with water temperatures averaging 27°C-30°C. November to May is the high season, and the best time to dive, thanks to calmer ocean conditions, better visibility and sunny, comfortable weather.

Indo-Pacific tropical species are common, like anemonefish, angelfish, pufferfish and parrotfish. Macro critters like shrimp and nudibranch thrive, as do favorites like eels, stingrays, turtles and reef sharks. Lucky divers may spot a whale shark

Great local sites include; Paradise Reef, situated on the eastern side of Patong Bay, is a shallow site suitable for beginners, and consists of colorful corals and reef critters. Kata Reef has great sites, like The Cubes and The Corner, that is close and boast great corals and marine species. Karon Rock is another nearby site that was named as one of Asia’s best shore dives and is also accessed by longtail boat. Koh Poo, just off Kata Beach is an unmissable site featuring exhilarating topography and abundant marine life.