How do I get to Phuket?
Phuket, Thailand has an international airport with direct flights to Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong. Between November and April there are charter flights from many European cities as well. Thai airways offers 10-12 daily direct flights to Bangkok.
Do I need a
visa for Thailand?
Visitors to Thailand from most Western Countries including Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand are granted a 30 day stay on arrival. Other nationals are required to produce a tourist visa and should contact your local Thai consulate for more information. Try the Thai Visa web site for details.
Transportation from the airport?
Phuket International Airport is located about 45 min North of the major Beach centres (Karon, Kata, Patong and Kamala). There is a minibus service operating for about 4 US$ per person or a private taxi for about 16 US$ per car. Your hotel may also have a transfer service.
Where is Sunrise Divers?
Our office is located at Karon Plaza in beautiful Karon beach.
Click Here for a Map of Karon Beach
Where can I change money?
Thailand's currency is the Thai Baht and can be exchanged on arrival at Phuket airport. The exchange rate towards the US$ or Euro is around 40 Baht. Commercial banks, currency exchanges, ATM machines and major hotels provide currency exchange services at Phuket's major beach centers. Credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.
Where can I stay in Phuket?
If you are diving during the day and coming back to Phuket for your night's entertainment and rest, there are many different types of accommodation to choose from, ranging from basic fan bungalows and guesthouses within 5 minutes walk of the beach for 300-400 Baht (approx. US$ 8-10), through air-con guesthouse/hotels for 700-1,500 Baht (US$15-40) up to resort hotels for 3,000+ (US$ 70+).
Accommodation can be found in active centers, with plenty of night-life or in quiet and secluded bays around the island. For divers the most convenient location to stay is Kata/Karon Beach as it is close to the Sunrise Divers office. For more information, see the accommodation section on this web page.
What about the weather?
From November to April is Phuket's dry season and Sunrise Divers runs a full program of live-aboards, PADI courses and daytrips. You can expect an average temperature of 30 C / 89 F, sunny weather and calm seas during most of this time. The rainy season lasts from May - October and we run a full program of PADI Courses and Daytrips, and there are some live-aboards available. There are many sunny days throughout the rainy season and showers last normally little more than 2-3 hours. Expect temperatures like in the dry season, but occasional rough seas during this time.
What about food?
Few places in the world can provide the quality and variety of food available here in Phuket. You can choose between local Thai restaurants (Phuket is famous for its seafood) and all kind of Western restaurants. Whatever you want to eat, you can find it here in Phuket.
Health?
You should take the normal precautions, like on any other journey. Malaria prophylaxis is not necessary. Phuket has 3 International hospitals and 2 recompression chambers in case you should need medical help. For divers, check that your insurance covers scuba diving. It is a very good idea to get insurance from a diving organisation such as PADI or DAN.
Languages?
The Thai language is not easy to learn, but people always appreciate your effort if you learn a few simple phrases. Phuket is an international centre and in hotels and restaurants the staff will speak English, and in more up market hotels, there may be staff who are multilingual. For diving, we can provide instructors to suit your language - English, German, Spanish, Swedish and others.
Any other questions?
Please contact us if you need any further information, or see our Diving in Phuket web site for more details. For information in German, see our Tauchen Phuket web site. We hope to see you in Phuket soon!
