Dive with Elephants

Phuket is not infrequently associated with the bizarre and the unusual, but now the province’s peculiarity has now been elevated to new heights - the land of smiles is now the only place on the planet where you can dive with elephants. Off Racha Yai Island is located one of the latest dive sites in the area, The Siam Bay Marine Park, a mammoth artificial reef that includes two concrete elephants 3 metres in height.

As you approach this bizarre dive site you’ll swim through a temple gateway guarded by a giant mythical sentry, known in Thai as a ‘Yak’, who is believed to defend the gate from evil spirits. Next, diving inwards and upwards, you’ll swim through a pair of elephant legs. Not only is this regarded as very good luck in Thailand, it's also great practice for your buoyancy skills too. The water is generally clear here so some fairly unusual photo opportunities are possible, particularly underneath the male elephant. While you are there, have a look in the elephant’s ear, where a white-eyed moray eel is usually in residence.

Click here for a list of Phuket dive companies.

Andaman Sky, Co., Ltd, 454/2 Moo 1, Ao Nang, Thailand