Purple Garden

# Purple Garden Dive Site Description

Purple Garden is a premier dive destination located off Racha Yai Island in Phuket, Thailand, accessible via the Andaman Sea. This moderate dive site features colorful coral formations, particularly purple soft corals that give the site its distinctive name, creating a vibrant underwater landscape.

Divers explore depths ranging from 12 to 25 meters, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced divers. The site showcases healthy hard and soft coral gardens with occasional rocky outcrops and sandy patches. Marine life encounters include reef fish species, trevally, snappers, occasional rays, and small reef sharks. Visibility typically ranges from 10 to 20 meters depending on seasonal conditions.

The site’s moderate currents and coral composition make it ideal for photographers seeking macro and wide-angle shots. Racha Yai Island’s strategic location in the Andaman Sea provides excellent conditions during the dry season from November to May, when water temperatures reach 28-29°C. Purple Garden remains a favorite among divers seeking Thailand’s diverse marine ecosystems.

🐠 Marine Life at This Dive Site

Reef Stonefish Synanceia verrucosa marekkoszorek

Longfin Batfish Platax teira tonydiver

Reticulidia suzanneae Reticulidia suzanneae erwinkoehler

Longfin Batfish Platax teira jonigr

Blue Dragon Pteraeolidia semperi jonigr

Starry Puffer Arothron stellatus barkingdeer

Species data from iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)