Mai Thon

Mai Thon is a beginner-friendly dive site around the small private island of Koh Mai Thon, located southeast of Phuket in the Andaman Sea. This island, sometimes known as Honeymoon Island, offers sheltered reef diving with easy conditions and a maximum depth of fifteen meters, making it an ideal destination for newer divers and those seeking a relaxed tropical diving experience away from the busier sites near Phuket's western coast. The boat ride from Phuket to Mai Thon takes about forty-five minutes, passing through the turquoise waters that separate the island from the mainland. The island's relatively isolated position means it receives less diving traffic than Phuket's western sites, and this reduced pressure is reflected in the health and abundance of the reef community. The approach reveals a tropical island straight from a postcard, with white sand beaches fringed by coconut palms and surrounded by shallow reef flats. The reef around Mai Thon extends from the shallow fringing zone to a maximum depth of fifteen meters, offering a gentle dive profile that maximizes bottom time and allows thorough exploration. The coral community is diverse and healthy, with hard corals forming the reef structure and soft corals adding movement and color. Staghorn coral thickets provide shelter for juvenile fish, while massive boulder corals create the framework that supports the entire reef ecosystem. Marine life at Mai Thon is abundant and approachable. Leopard sharks are the site's most celebrated residents, often found resting on the sandy bottom between coral patches. These docile sharks allow careful divers to approach for observation and photography, creating encounters that become highlight memories for many visitors. Beyond the sharks, the reef hosts a full complement of tropical species including angelfish, butterflyfish, groupers, and schools of snappers. The sandy areas between reef formations are productive hunting grounds for those interested in smaller creatures. Sea cucumbers process the sand, while gobies maintain their burrow partnerships with pistol shrimp. Cuttlefish hover above the sand, their hypnotic color changes making them some of the most captivating creatures on the reef. Moray eels peek from their rocky hideaways, and the patient observer may spot well-camouflaged scorpionfish lying in wait. Visibility at Mai Thon is generally good, benefiting from the island's position in the open Andaman Sea away from the sediment and runoff that can affect sites closer to Phuket's coast. Water temperatures remain warm year-round, typically between twenty-seven and thirty degrees, ensuring comfortable diving in minimal exposure suits. The best conditions typically prevail from November through April during the northeast monsoon season. Mai Thon is a dive site that delivers everything a tropical reef destination should. The combination of healthy coral, abundant fish life, leopard shark encounters, and the beautiful island setting creates an experience that perfectly captures the appeal of Andaman Sea diving at its most accessible and enjoyable.