From year to year, the popularity of the Thai island of Phuket is growing. Here is one of the favorite sea for tourists. True, most vacationers are sure that they swim in the ocean waters. However, it is not. Phuket Island is located in the Andaman Sea. In addition to beach vacationers, there are always many lovers of snorkeling, yachting, surfing, diving.
Andaman Sea
This semi-closed reservoir is marginal for the Indian Ocean. The water area of this sea is not more than 660 thousand km 2 , the average depth is about a thousand meters. The coastal waters of the island warm up to 27-29 ° C all year round. What is the sea in Phuket? Amazing imagination of any guest, whether he is an athlete or just a tourist.
Relaxation
Tour operators, organizing trips to Thailand, offer to choose the ocean or sea. This is not entirely true. If you look at the island of Phuket on a map, it becomes obvious that the Andaman Sea surrounds it. And it, as you know, is open and flows smoothly into the Indian Ocean. The sea is considered the Gulf of Thailand of the South China Sea, which washes Thailand from the other side. This pond is closed, so it does not storm even during the rainy season, lasting from late May to early November. But Phuket during this period covers with high storm waves, so it’s better to transfer the rest to the winter season.
Island coast
The sea in western Phuket is active. This is due to climate change. From May to October, the sea is stormy and pleases surfers. In the second half of the year it is transparent to a depth of 70-80 m. This is a time of beach relaxation, divers and snorkelers.
What is the sea in Phuket on the east side? Here it is bounded by mainland Thailand and island. Therefore, even in the stormy period of unrest and current is not here. The Andaman Sea in the eastern part of the island is very shallow, at the bottom there is more silt than sand. The water is cloudy and unpleasantly smells of fish. Therefore, tourists do not like these places, although there are several beaches here. You can swim only at high tide, since after low tide a fairly large part of the bottom is exposed, from which sharp corals stick out, and sea urchins hide in silt depressions.
Peak season
What is the sea in Phuket before the monsoon? This is a period of calm and grace. The weather is clear, there are no winds. The beach pleasure season lasts from early December to late March. In April, monsoons attack the island, and with them storm waves and heavy rains. If you have a vacation at this time, and you want to not only sunbathe, but also swim, then in addition to the pools, the hotel can swim in a closed bay, which is located near Cape Panva.
Phuket's beaches do not empty even during stormy waves. There is a favorite weather for surfers. True, professional athletes have nothing to do here. The waves are only 2.5-3 m high, which is suitable only for amateurs and beginners, for whom there are surfing schools on the beaches of the island. Prices are quite affordable, and instructors are experienced and attentive.
In the last days of September, the Andaman Sea (Phuket) meets surfers from all over the world who wish to take part in the exciting annual Quiksilver Surfing Contest. The winner receives 100,000 Thai baht.
Winter pleasure
By the end of November, the island is becoming quieter and calmer. The number of rains and winds is decreasing, and with them the number of surfers. Vacationers return to the beaches. In November, they can still be frightened off by short-term tropical showers, and by December it becomes very clear and calm.
Warm and crystal clear sea during this period on the island of Phuket. On the weather map, you can trace the stability of air and water temperatures. It is time for lovers of underwater sports. The safest of them is snorkeling. You can deal with it both on the numerous beaches of the island, and on a specialized excursion. The boat takes tourists to artificial reefs that have long been inhabited by underwater inhabitants. Here at a shallow depth there are several amazing tunnels and mysterious caves, flooded objects and rock fragments peep out of the sand.
It is enough to take a mask, snorkel, flippers at the rental point on the beach and you can enjoy the beauties of the Andaman Sea. And there is something to see in it: more than 400 species of underwater inhabitants. Tropical fish, flocking among stones, mysterious stingrays, aggressive moray eels, gigantic turtles - even after a dozen dives, the snorkeling player does not fall into the same place. Experts say that in the Andaman Sea there are more than ten dive sites, and the shores of Liberty Beach are called the best place for snorkeling.
Life under water
A lot of fans of spearfishing during this period. This occupation is serious and requires the supervision of professionals, but it is worth it. Here they hunt Indian mackerel, sailing ships, southern herring and moray eels.
What sea in Phuket, divers know. In the waters of the Andaman Sea there are many coral thickets, bright shades, in which flocks of ornamental fish live. It is interesting to observe the life of local jellyfish (some of which are poisonous), echinoderms, lobsters, crabs and even snakes.
Available in the waters of this sea and sharks: oceanic, poppy and hammerhead. Near the beaches there are none. They prefer to stay away from people. So far, not a single case of a shark attack on a person on the beaches of Phuket has been recorded. But the authorities of the kingdom of Thailand (Phuket) fenced the sea with special nets against sharks. You can meet here with small representatives of sharks: tiger, reef, white and black sharks.
These are the seas that wash Phuket. It remains to collect and verify personally.