Why to skip Phuket and why to take the plunge.
If you’re reading this then I feel sorry for you because your wasting money. Scuba diving in Phuket is a huge waste of money and there are plenty of reasons to back up my argument.
Why I dislike Scuba Diving in Phuket?
Firstly, the underwater visibility is really poor. You can barely see anything even with a flashlight. Secondly, the water is freezing cold! I was shivering the whole time I was in the water. Lastly, there are so many fish and other creatures swimming around that it’s impossible to relax and enjoy the experience.
Scuba diving is one of the most popular tourist activities in Phuket, Thailand. And I think it’s a huge waste of money. Here are three reasons why:
1. The underwater visibility is pretty bad.
2. The water is quite cold.
3. There’s not much to see underwater.
First of all, it’s too expensive
If you’re looking to save some money on your next vacation, scuba diving in Phuket is probably not the activity for you. Prices for a day of diving can start at around $120 USD, and that’s not including the cost of renting equipment or getting certified.
And if you want to dive with a guide? That’s going to cost you even more. A one-day guided dive can start at $200 USD. Compare that to other popular tourist activities in Phuket like visiting the Big Buddha or taking a cooking class, which can cost a fraction of the price.
It’s not just the cost of the actual activity that makes scuba diving in Phuket a pricey endeavor. Getting to Phuket from most major airports will require at least one stopover, and depending on where you’re coming from, those flights can be expensive.
Once you finally arrive in Phuket, you’ll find that accommodation and food prices are also on the higher end, particularly in the areas closest to popular diving spots. And since scuba diving is an activity that requires advance planning (you can’t just show up and take a dive that same day), you’ll need to plan those extra days of pricey travel into your total goal.On top of these miscellaneous costs, there are also other expenses specific to scuba diving that you need to consider before you get going on your expedition or vacation. When I visited my cousin in Hong Kong a few years ago, we decided to take this amazing 3-day liveaboard cruise out of town, just for the leisure and adventure of it all. While the excursion cost $1,000 per person, that was just the beginning of the expenses. Once you’re actually on the cruise, you have to pay for your food and drinks (and these were not cheap!) before heading out into the water. Figure around $100 bucks a day for meals and snacks on top of your fee for travel, so don’t forget to budget for this part too!
Secondly, it’s too touristy
Have you ever been on a vacation and felt like you were the only person who didn’t know what they were doing? That’s how it feels to scuba dive in Phuket. The whole experience is marred by the fact that it’s just so touristy.
It seems like every other person in the water is a first-timer who doesn’t know what they’re doing. And because of that, the whole experience is less enjoyable. You can find better places to scuba dive that aren’t as crowded and aren’t as touristic. It’s hard to get lost in the moment when you are putting yourself (and your valuables) in such a public space. You run a high risk of having something stolen from you or losing it yourself. Those risks are virtually non-existent in other places.
In short, Phuket is a tourist trap for some tourists but great for others! It all depends on what kind of vacation you’re looking for.
Last one, the food is not that good
We’re not going to mince words here: the food in Phuket is not that good. It’s overpriced, bland, and often downright gross. If you’re thinking about scuba diving in Phuket, you’re better off doing it somewhere else where the food is actually edible.
If you’re thinking about scuba diving in Phuket, you might want to reconsider. While Phuket certainly has its charms, there are several reasons why scuba diving in Phuket is a huge waste of money.
First of all, the diving itself is not that great. The visibility is often poor and the coral is not as healthy as in other parts of the world. Secondly, the dive sites are crowded and there are often too many boats anchored nearby. This can disrupt the peace and tranquility that scuba diving can offer.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the food is not that great. If you’re used to eating fresh seafood, you’ll be disappointed with the cooked, canned, and frozen options available in Phuket. So, if you’re looking for a great place to scuba dive, Phuket is probably not it.