Sharkey Scuba Karon

Located just off Patak Road in Karon, Sharkey Scuba is a long-established PADI Dive Resort that has been a fixture of the Phuket diving scene since 2002. Managed by the husband-and-wife team of Iain and Oui, the centre provides a professional base for those looking to explore the Andaman Sea.

The centre operates daily departures for the Phi Phi Islands and Racha Islands, as well as longer excursions to the Similan Islands. Whether you are looking to complete your initial certifications or are an experienced diver seeking wreck or reef adventures, the operation is built around a personalised approach.

With over 35 years of combined experience, the team at Sharkey Scuba focuses on high-quality, private instruction. By offering courses exclusively to individuals or private groups, they ensure that every diver receives the specific attention required for safety and technical proficiency.

The staff is experienced in local waters and provides instruction in English and Swedish, alongside Thai. The centre maintains a strict diver-to-guide ratio of maximum four divers per instructor, ensuring close supervision during all dives.

Sharkey Scuba offers a comprehensive range of PADI courses, starting from the Open Water Diver level through to Divemaster. For those looking to expand their technical repertoire, they provide the PADI Advanced, Deep Diver, and Wreck Diver specialties.

Training also includes the PADI Nitrox specialty, essential for those planning longer bottom times, as well as the EFR/Rescue course. For those looking to refine their skills in specific environments, they offer the Boat Diver Specialty.

The centre operates modern, large, and comfortable dive boats designed for daily trips to the surrounding islands. These vessels serve as a stable platform for both reef exploration and longer excursions.

On board, you will find freshly cooked food, tea, coffee, and water provided during the trips. The boats are equipped to handle daily excursions to the Phi Phi Islands and Racha Noi/Yai, as well as longer trips to the Similan Islands.

Full rental kit is available on-site, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, fins, masks, snorkels, and dive computers. Divers are reminded that carrying a personal dive computer is mandatory for all outings.

Nitrox is available for use, and the centre provides oxygen for safety purposes. The facility is conveniently located near the main road in Karon, with free transfers provided for divers staying in Chalong, Kamala, Kata, Karon, Pat Patong, and Rawai.

The reefs around Phuket and the Similan Islands are teeming with life, from large schools of fish to various pelagic species. You will frequently encounter reef sharks (Carcharhinus), sea turtles (Cheloniidae), and various species of snapper (Lutjanidae). Large groups of fusiliers and trevallies are common, alongside sightings of barracuda (Sphyraena) and various species of triggerfish (Balistidae).

In the deeper sections and around wrecks, you may find more specialised residents such as moray eels (Muraenidae), including the giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus), and various species of grouper (Epinephelinae). The reef structure itself is built upon a beautiful foundation of soft corals (Alcyonacea) and hard corals, with gorgonian (Gorgonacea) fans adding colour to the seascape.

For those interested in macro life, the area offers plenty of interest. You can look for various nudibranchs, octopus (Octopoda), and different types of shrimp (Caridea). Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) and various species of blenny and goby are often found amongst the reef rubble and crevices.

While sightings of larger animals like whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and Manta rays (Mobula alfredi) are not guaranteed, they are the highly sought-after visitors to these waters.

The area is known for its diverse dive sites, ranging from shallow reef flats to deeper wrecks. Divers should be prepared for varying conditions depending on the specific location, such as the Phi Phi Islands or the Similan Islands.