Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best season for Diving & Snorkeling in Thailand ?
There is always a good time to snorkel and dive somewhere in Thailand , so it really depends which area you plan to visit and which time of the year.
The ‘typical' tourist high season is from the beginning of November to the end of April. This is mainly because the weather is cooler at this time of year and rain is generally less likely. We recommend the latter part of this season, from February to April. The weather is generally at its absolute best and the seas at their calmest. There is however, a good case for visiting during May to October: there are far fewer tourists, accommodation, tours and trips of all description are far better value for money.
On Thailand 's West coast ( Andaman Sea ), including Phuket, you can dive all year round, including Hin Muang and Hin Daeng, to the south of Phuket.
However, the world famous Similan Islands , Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock are in Marine National Parks, which are closed from June to September. We recommend you arrange your trip between mid-October and mid-May to maximize your chances of seeing whale sharks and manta rays.
The East coast of Thailand , ( Gulf of Thailand ) , including Koh Tao and Koh Samui, you can also dive all year round. The best visibility is generally from February to October, quite different from the West coast. The whale shark season is from February to April, with regular sightings reported every year during this time.
Where is the best diving in Thailand ?
Without a doubt, in Thailand 's Andaman Sea . Most famous are the Similan Islands , Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock , all of which are best enjoyed from aboard a live-aboard vessel. Day-trips are available to the Southernmost parts of the Similan Islands and can be a good ‘taster', however, for the true aficionado and to discover the true beauty of this area, a live-aboard trip is a must. The Similan Islands are generally considered as one of the ‘Top Ten” dive sites of the world.
Around Phuket, we recommend King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point, Anemone Reef, Koh Dok Mai & and Koh Phi Phi. Also worth exploring, is Racha Noi and Racha Yai islands.
South of Phuket, the famous and stunningly beautiful sites of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang , are well worth a visit. Many divers vote these the best dive in Thailand.These are best explored by liveaboard or speedboat from Phuket Island .
How do we get around?
Phuket is the largest Island in Thailand , and is located in the south of Thailand on the Andaman Coast , about 900 kilometers from Bangkok . Phuket International Airport has direct flights to/from Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia , Sydney – Australia , Frankfurt – Germany , Incheon – Korea , Tokyo – Japan , Singapore , Hong Kong, and Bangkok .
Flights from Bangkok are available from several carriers:
- Air Asia ( www.airasia.com )
- Thai Airways ( www.thaiair.com )
- Bangkok Airways ( www.bangkokair.com )
- Nok Air ( www.nokair.com )
Flight time form Bangkok to Phuket is only around one hour.
You can also travel by bus or train between Bangkok and Phuket; travel time will be around 12 hours and for this reason is not very popular.
What is the transportation from the airport like?
Phuket international airport is situated about 40 kilometers from Patong Beach , this will take around 45 minutes by Taxi. We can easily arrange airport transfers for you from around US$ 20 one way.
Phuket is the main gateway to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Khao Lak.
Is Phuket a worth a visit for non-divers?
Absolutely, there is plenty to do for non-divers, but yes, this is a perfect destination for those who loves the sea or just wants to sunbathe on the beautiful beaches surrounding the Island .
How are things after last years Tsunami in these regions?
The tourist areas have been completely cleaned up and rebuilt. In fact, other than the odd street vendor selling CD's and DVD's with footage of the Tsunami, you will be hard pressed to find any visible evidence of this December 2004 event.. Partly due to their Buddhist belief, the Thai people have an incredible ability to accept and recover. Nowhere is this more evident than in the complete rebuilding that has taken place in Phuket and surrounding areas. Phuket is once again the thriving, buzzing and exiting destination that it was before, only newer and stronger, with improvements in warning systems and evacuation routes visible every where. Nonetheless, the Tsunami will be respectfully remembered for a long time to come.
Tourism in Phuket have already exceeded pre-Tsunami levels and there is no reason why you should not share this confidence of other tourists. Phuket is an exotic and exiting destination and you will not regret visiting here.
The diving here is still some of the best in the entire world; colorful & very beautiful. Due to the location of dive sites (out at sea, not on the coast), the diving has largely been totally unaffected by the 2004 tsunami.
What paperwork and documents do I need to bring for my dive trip?
Passport; diver Certification card; Logbook. If you have lost your C-card, please contact your training agency for re-issuing your card.( PADI divers, click here: Replace your PADI C-card ).
Although most boats and their guests are covered by the boat company's insurance policy, we strongly recommend that you take out your own Individual Dive Insurance . For Dive Insurance you can contact Divers Alert Network (DAN) via the following region-based links:
DAN USA , DAN Europe or DAN South East Asia Pacific.
What clothes etc. should I bring?
With a minimum temperature of 27C you will need mainly light clothes. Most boat supplies bath products, and bath towels. Please don't forget your sunscreen lotion, sunglasses and a hat or cap, the sun is surprisingly strong in this region!
Keep in mind that liveaboards, no matter how large, do not have a lot of space for luggage storage. Most dive operators recommend soft-sided luggage on the boat but will allow you to store extra bags at the dive center. Please ensure all luggage are clearly labeled with nametag.
Since Liveaboard diving is casual, only a few T-shirts, shorts, swim suits and possibly a sweatshirt for the evening are necessary. Generally, less is best.
Should I bring any First Aid items and Medicines?
First Aid kit, Oxygen and general medicines for most common ailments are available on board all vessels. If you suffer from any allergies (medicines, food, etc) please inform us when making your reservation. If you are concerned about sea sickness, most boats provide sea sick tablets (Dimenhydrinate) on board free of charge.
If you require a specific medication for any personal condition, please ensure that you have adequate supplies with you. We also advise you to check with your personal physician to ensure any medication you are taking is compatible with scuba diving.
Is Diving Equipment included?
Air tanks, weights and weight belts are provided on board all vessels. You are welcome to bring your own diving gear but if you prefer to travel light, full sets of equipment are available for rent, including wet suits (usually 3mm ‘shorty'-style). Please indicate what diving gear you intend to rent and your sizes when making a reservation. (see rental equipment prices). A full set of rental equipment does not include torches, computers & cameras, although most boats supply torches for night dives free of charge.
Are dive computers recommended?
It is strongly recommended that you use a dive computer. Although computers are available for rent, we recommend that you bring a computer with which you are already familiar. Diving without a computer (using Dive Tables) will restrict your depth and bottom time, and with that, limit opportunities to see certain special features and creatures. “Sharing” of dive computers are NOT allowed by any safety conscious dive operation; each diver must dive with their individual dive computer.
Are wetsuits needed?
The average water temperature is 27C, (80F) but doing multiple dives each day may make you feel the chill more than you anticipate. We recommend at least a thin ‘shorty' or ‘skin' but bring a thicker full wetsuit if you get cold easily. If you are not sure, bring both kinds.
What is the electricity like?
All the Liveaboards have twin-prong socket 220 volts mains outlet - 24 hours per day, which are available either in your cabin or on the main deck for recharging or using your electronic equipment.
What are the Cabins and showers onboard like?
This varies from boat to boat. Price is generally a good indication of the level of luxury you can expect. Most vessels today provide en-suite bathrooms, although some of the older and more inexpensive trips will still see you sharing a bathroom with other cabins. We suggest you check the boat layout and pictures of each vessel, but most importantly, indicate with your enquiry if you would prefer an on-suite bathroom.
How do I get to the boat?
Most boats offer complimentary airport/hotel transfers to/from the boat on departure and arrival days. (let us know your flight/hotel details please!).
What do I do about accommodation upon arrival?
It is highly recommended that you arrive at least one day prior to diving. This way you have time to rest and acclimatize. We can make arrangements to book accommodation in any hotel you wish or we can suggest a hotel and reserve a room based on your needs. We also have the Coral Grand Inn located right above our dive shop in the heart of Patong. Coral Grand Inn offers clean, comfortable and modern rooms at reasonable prices, perfect for the nights before and after your live-aboard dive trip.
What happens on departure day?
Departure time depends on the live-aboard trip you have select, see these details for each individual boat. Be sure to reconfirm your onward flights.
• There are some forms to be filled out before departure, this will be done upon arrival to the boat
- The National Marine Park fees for Similan Islands and Surin Islands will be collected before departure
- If your trip includes going to Burma, (Myanmar), the Immigration fee, in CASH US$ only, must be paid at this stage.
- Most boats serve a light meal on the first night after departure.
- Boat Orientation: After boarding the vessel, the crew and dive team will present the boat and diving facilities. They will also explain the " Do and Don'ts "
- Dive Briefing : Before each dive, a senior member of the dive crew (usually a dive instructor or dive master) will give you a detailed briefing about the dive site and diving conditions, as well as some information on the aquatic life likely to be encountered at each location.
Can I dive solo?
This depends on the boat operator, but the usual answer is NO. Some operations will make an exception if you can prove that you are a very experienced diver and certified as a TDI Solo diver or equivalent.
Bear in mind that all operators provide qualified guides at no extra cost, for your enjoyment and safety., at great expense to the operation. You would be well-advised to make use of this service.
Are dives done from Dinghies?
Most of the diving on live-aboard boats in Thailand is conducted from the mother ship. However, most operators have inflatable dinghies, equipped with outboard engines for access to dive sites as well as bringing customers to shore, snorkeling, beach walking and exploring.
In Thailand we use mooring buoys that are placed by the Thai government to limit damage to their protected reefs. Often we can dive directly from the main vessel at these sites. If currents are present or expected, the dive will start from the main vessel with diver retrieval by the tender vessels (dinghies) a the end of the dive.Other times we jump from the big boat and are retrieved by the dinghies at the end of the dive.
Burma , unfortunately, is not as advanced as Thailand in terms of protecting their environment by installing mooring lines on the dive sites. (but we are working on this!). Here diving is done as a combination of drift diving by dinghies, drift diving from the main vessel and overnight anchorage in protected bays.
How many dives per day?
Most boats recommend in general a maximum of 4 four dives per day, including night dives when the location is suitable. Most of our recommended boats offer Nitrox at 32% and 36% oxygen for increased diver safety.
What are the meals and drinks like?
Meals are a mix of Thai and International Cuisine. Should you have any special dietary needs or restrictions, please let us know upon booking. Drinking Water, tea and coffee are available all day long. Soft drinks are available free of charge on some boat, other charge a small amount for these, beer and alcohol are available for sale and payable on the boat at the end of the trip.
What about Non-Divers onboard Liveaboard Trips?
While diving is the priority, there are many other possibilities. When the location is suitable, there is swimming, snorkeling and beach combing. Most boats also have a good selection of music, movies, books, and games. Please feel free to bring your own CDs or DVDs if you wish.
Digital Camera Rental?
If you don't have you own underwater camera, or want to learn more about how to use them, cameras are for rent on most boats, the price varies from 1000 – 1500 Baht per day, some boats also have a PC workstation on board which is dedicated to the viewing of digital photos and video. These computers have most necessary software programs and a CD burner for you to back up your treasures.
Can I be contacted in case of an emergency?
Nearly most boats are equipped with communication equipment. Emergency calls, and emails can be forwarded to the boats via our office. Please leave our phone numbers and e-mail addresses with your relatives, in case they urgently need to contact you.
Do I need Insurance?
Absolutely! It is COMPULSORY on all Liveaboard cruises that you have suitable holiday diving injury insurance, such as DAN or similar. All passengers are required to sign a liability waiver before departure, and are on board at their own risk. We also strongly recommend suitable cancellation insurance. Click here for information about Travel Insurance.
What if I have an accident during a Liveaboard cruise?
Although some vessels operate in very remote locations, passengers need not worry unduly about lack of medical facilities in case of an accident or serious illness. Usually management can be contacted by the boat crew 24 hours a day via marine radio, mobile phones or satellite communications. Detailed procedures have been drawn up (and tested!) to ensure rapid evacuation from the vessel to the nearest recompression chamber or one of Phuket's several modern hospitals. Most operators are affiliated with the local recompression chamber www.badalveda.com and have made prior arrangements with several hospitals, such as www.phukethospital.com and ambulance services as well.
All divers will receive prompt attention from all of these services. Please do your part by making sure your DAN insurance (or other) is up to date. Extensive medical supplies, including plenty of emergency oxygen, are, of course, on board. The crew is trained in first aid techniques and very experienced.
How much spending money do I need?
Bring enough cash to cover the Similan National Marine Park fees, PADI diving courses, crew tips, shopping, drinks and souvenirs. On board expenses are settled after the cruise and should be paid exclusively in cash, payments can be made in US$ or THB.
Note: if doing a Burma Cruise then there is a additional Immigration fee (around US$ 150) which MUST be paid in cash.
What is the crew tipping policy?
We believe tips should be given voluntary and based upon the quality of the service provided. Once on board, you will notice how hard the crew works and how your safety and enjoyment relies heavily on their professionalism and attitude. Many of our guests give a gratuity based on 10% of the cruise price or more but, again, we stress that this is entirely voluntarily. Please note that tips can only be paid in cash. |
