Amazing Snorkeling in Phuket Thailand With Thailand Divers.

The beautiful island of Phuket lies to the south west of Thailand in the clear blue Andaman ocean. The tropical island paradise of  Phuket Thailand is now become a tourist hub with many hotels and guest houses to suit all budgets. For those looking to explore Thailand Phuket is a prime location as from here the rest of the country is within easy reach. Most of the popular well know places are all available and within easy reach.

Many people come to Phuket for a variety of different reasons. As many know the diving in phuket is second to none and those wanting the best diving phuket is the number one base. There are other islands and sights that are known around the globe such as James Bond island which was the setting for the Bond movie "The Man With The Golden Gun" Then there is Phi Phi island and Bamboo island Thailand which was the location of the Hollywood movie "The Beach"  Others just come for the miles of white sandy beaches and warm tropical seas, beach side cafes and bars.

But we are here to look at Phuket snorkeling and the best locations. There a variety of snorkel tours phuket has to offer.  From the 15th of October until the 15th of May each year then the Similan islands are open. The similan national park is closed for six months each year to help preserve the idillic islands. The most popular way of getting to see the most of the Similans is a snorkel trip done by speed boat. These tour take you from the mainland in Khao Lak out to the first snorkeling location which takes around 1.5 hours. The similans islands are stunning, white sandy beaches, clear light blue water and shallow coral reefs. The speed boat tour takes you to four of the best locations in the national park. Lunch is served buffet style or depending on the tour or on the beach of one of the uninhabited islands. This is a day trip where are camera is a must. Either take a water proof bag or case both for the snorkeling and just as protection from any spay. You will  want to take the camera in the water as the fish and underwater life is some of the best you will find anywhere in the world.

Next up we have the  Phi Phi Bamboo tour. This tour takes in a few popular spots. Namely Bamboo island thailand  which is normally a 45 minute stop. This is a small island no more than 1minute walk from side to side but it does mean you can snorkel around the island with ease. Then there is Mosquito island. This is due to the size of the islands and not that its got mosquitos. Lunch is normally on Phi phi Don which is the main island. Then onto Monkey beach where you a chance to meet the locals. As the boat comes in the monkeys come from the trees in hope of getting a banana or other free food. Be warned having it in your back pack will not make it safe. The monkeys have seen enough tourists to work out how to open bags. Then on to Maya bay. This is "The beach" for a last stop before heading back to Phuket. be warned over the Christmas and New year holidays this tour is very busy so booking in advance is a must. This also applies to Chinese new year too.

This can be booked almost anywhere these days. Hotels, guest houses, tour booths and just from a stall on a street corner. However it is far better to go to a dive shop phuket has many as they will make sure the trip is a safe one. There are many trips all different prices but the price reflects the safety standards. Qualified boat drivers costs money, qualified guides cost money and snorkeling instructors cost money. The cheap tours still have the same fuel costs, same mooring fees so the only way they can be cheaper is to cut other things.

There is great local tour that is a half day tour or full day as you please. Its to a place called Khai island. This is about 15 minutes off the Phuket coast be speed boat and is ideal for a lazy day on a quiet beach. Great for high season to get away from the crowds. The other great thing about its location is you can really make the most of your holiday as it can be done as a morning or afternoon tour. So if you have an evening flight then you can still spend the morning here or if you arrive before mid day then you can still have some great snorkeling the afternoon.

Next is the Racha Islands. These two islands lie to the south of Phuket Thailand and the bonus here is most phuket  diving boats go here for the divers. These dive boats also have a cheap rate for non divers or snorkelers. These big boats are far better than the small cramped speed boats. The dive boats do it in style. They have a chef on the boat who cooks your breakfast and lunch for you as well as an afternoon snack too. The boats have a sun deck, a cool saloon and plenty of space to move around. Tea and coffee as and when you want plus sodas and cool beers too.

Racha Noi is uninhabited and offers great snorkeling as its normally avoided by all the speed boats as its further away. The divers however want the better locations. Again whiter sandy bays and shallow hard coral reefs. Here you can in you are lucky get the Whale shark and the Manta Ray too. Most dive boats do two locations here before moving to Racha Yai for the third stop. Both islands are perfect as they have great sites on both east and west coasts. For Phuket thats perfect as the weather either comes from the west between May and October (green season) and from the east from October till May so all year there are protected sites. These dive boats tend to be cheaper as well as they make their money from divers and the snorkeler price is so divers and non divers can still spend the day together. The food is better too and far more of it as divers tend to be hungry when in the sea all day Just as you will be snorkeling.

There are a couple of things to be aware of when in phuket snorkeling.  Snorkeling tours can be booked almost anywhere these days. Hotels, guest houses, tour booths and just from a stall on a street corner. However it is far better to go to a dive shop phuket has many as they will make sure the trip is a safe one. There are many trips all different prices but the price reflects the safety standards. Qualified boat drivers costs money, qualified guides cost money and snorkeling instructors cost money. The cheap tours still have the same fuel costs, same mooring fees so the only way they can be cheaper is to cut other things. The dive boat option is by far the best for families or for people when can not swim or are weak swimmers.  Dive boats have many instructors onboard who are all trained in rescue. Dive boats also have oxygen and people trained to use it. But most of all they have a tour leader who can watch you at all times plus a qualified captain and several boat boys and a chef. All of these people will be on the boats when you are in the water. There are also life jackets for all.

So as you can see there is some great phuket snorkel tours available. From the Similan islands to Phi Phi and the rest. If you are still stuck for what to do in phuket then there are trips to Krabi too. The snorkeling in and around Phuket Thailand is some of the best you can find anywhere and its with in easy reach of everyone.

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Scuba Diving in Phuket Thailand

Phuket Thailand is one of the better places to go if you are looking to do some great scuba diving when you are on holiday.  In Thailand phuket has plenty of things to do both on and off the water but many people each year come just for the diving phuket has to offer.

There are great places to go for a day trip.  Those that have been to Phuket diving before will know the great islands of Racha Noi and Racha Yai which lie to the south of Phuket. Both islands can be visited in one day with ease one after the other. Both have calm sheltered white sandy bays with plenty of hard coral reef in very shallow water making it available to all. Both islands again have great diving on both east and west coasts which means which ever time of you you come then there are well protected bays to dive all year round. There are also a couple of wrecks that have been put down around the island of Racha Yai for scuba divers to explore. These plus giant elephants in Siam bay plus a motorbike and statues of Thai knights make for some great photos too.

The Racha Islands are known for good diving in Phuket all year round with plenty of Barracuda, khule's sting ray, Parrot fish, cuttle fish, Octopus, Marble ray, eagle ray and on many time the Manta Ray too. There also can be turtles, Leopard sharks plus a large amount of reef fish too.

Then for those who have never been diving in Thailand before there are the Phi Phi Islands. This was the setting for the hollywood movie "The Beach" Here we can find great wall dives on the island of Phi Phi Ley. This is where we find maya bay which is home to the beach. But for diving the better locations are on the walls outside. Here on turtle wall we find...yes you have guessed it Hawksbill turtles.  Then on the other main wall we find Black Tip reef sharks. Both of these are great dives as its not everyday that you can find both on the same location. Then on Bida Nok there are plenty of soft corals, big sea fans and huge schools of reef fish. Here again on the north side we can often find more black tips in the shallows.

For the more experienced diver there is the wreck of the King Cruiser ferry.  This day is really for the more experienced person scuba diving Phuket. This sunk in 1997 after hitting a reef (Anemone Reef)  about half way between phi Phi and Phuket. The ferry is 90 meters long, 30 meters wide and now is about 15 meters tall. It sits in around 32 meters depth at the deepest point and is around 17 at the shallowest. Here we find huge schools of glass fish then large numbers of small Barracuda. Then feeding on them are the travelly and even tuna. Then from time to time on the safety stop you get to see the largest fish in the ocean the Whale shark.

Close by to King Cruiser we have Shark point and Anemone reef. Both very colourful with stunning soft corals, huge sea fans and a huge variety of fish. This is a macro photographers dream. Here we have so much to see from Ghost pipe fish, sea horses and leopard sharks are here virtually all year round. There is also the chance for the whale shark to pass over head here too.

Then we have Koh Doc Mai or flower island. This is a great all that just rises from 20 meters below the surface to may be 80 meters straight up. Many people that come to phuket diving, this is what they want. Its an easy dive as you just drop in at one end or the other. and drift along the wall slowly ascending as you go. Here there are many things to see in the cracks in the wall, there are a couple of small caves here too. This is also a good place for the very shy Bamboo shark or again very shy Jans pipe fish.

To join any trip just go into a GOOD dive shop phuket has many but try to find one that well established and will offer plenty of options. A good shop will have options for people to learn to dive in Phuket alongside those already certified so as you can all enjoy the day together in the same location and on the same boat. If people in your group have never been diving before then to do Discover Scuba Diving Phuket as there is no where better. People with a thousand dives can have a great day alongside some one who has never been in the water before.  When it comes to great diving then Phuket Thailand really is in a class of its own.

Education is the Best Way to Save the Oceans and Sharks in Particular.

Shark Diver : Shark Diving : Swimming With Sharks: Adopt A Shark

Great idea as any idea to get people aware of the problems with the slaughter of the sharks is a good thing.  But may be a better idea is to use the money to take children and young adults on a day trip to see sharks first hand.  Places like phuket thailand has a great number of schools for locals and westerners as well as thousands of young people on holiday. Most locations where sharks are hunted are close top shore. So it will be far better to take people on a day trip from Phuket snorkeling  or to do a discover scuba diving  phuket day where they can see sharks first hand. Phuket diving has so much to offer both in enjoyment and of course saving the oceans for years to come.

If  businesses and the general public can all put in a small donation then local dive and snorkel centers will gladly help to assist with the education of the young as it safeguards their enviroment too. Here in  Thailand Phuket even more so,  all dive centers give their boats for a reef clean up 2-3 times a year and all divers go at cost price and instructors give their time for free. The same would be done to educate the children about the oceans and sharks too.  There are so many great things to do in Phuket  and if we can make education a fun thing too then we are protecting the oceans and sharks in particular for decades to come. Places like Phuket Thailand that has such a great recourse in the ocean that here is a prime location for fun and education at the same time.

The Amazing Island of Phuket in The Beautiful Andaman Ocean

Phuket Thailand.

The island of Phuket Thailand is a stunning island set in the tropics off the east coast in the Andaman ocean.  The year round warm weather and clear blue oceans make it a perfect get away location. Many people flock to Thailand Phuket especially is a big draw for many reasons as there are so many things to do in Phuket both on and off the water. There are many small bays and coves to explore all over the island and some that can only be reached by long tail boat.  From Phuket you are in easy reach of the best islands in Thailand.  Whether for sightseeing, snorkeling or just exploring the stunning locations that litter the Phuket coast line.

The most popular islands are the ones that have been made famous from the movies like James Bond island. This was the setting for Sean Connery and Christopher Lee in the movie "The Man With The Golden Gun". This Phuket tour takes in many other location too. Exploring the limestone caves by sea canoe, a visit to the floating fishing village, snorkeling on the warm clear reefs, a great lunch and of course James Bond island itself.

Then there is Phi Phi Phi island made famous from the Hollywood movie "The Beach" This is normally done with the amazing Bamboo Island Thailand (as there are many bamboo islands around the world.) This really is a pirates island. Sand, a few palm trees and a few shacks to buy cool drinks or ice cream. The real reason for stopping here is the great snorkeling.

Then there are the best islands in Thailand may be even the world when it comes to snorkeling and diving in Thailand.  These lie to the west of Phuket Thailand and are the Similan Islands. These are a chain of 9 islands set in a clear blue ocean with no hotels as the islands as a whole are uninhabited. The nine islands plus Koh Bon and Koh Tachai to the north make up the similan island national park. These are open from 15th October till the 15th May each year. The reason for closing is two fold. Firstly to keep the island and the marine creatures a break from humans so limiting the damaging effects that constant tourism brings. This also being a turtle breeding ground so best to leave them in peace. Secondly June till September is Monsoon season so the sea can be a bit rough so becomes dangerous for the boats as the Similans are uninhabited there are no harbors for the bigger dive boats and the sea is too rough for the snorkel speed boats. The Similan Islands are listed in the National Geographic in the Top 10 destinations for scuba diving in the world. If that was not reason enough then Jaques Cousteau also listed  diving Richelieu Rock in his top 10 places to go. If anyone has travelled the world diving and snorkeling then its him. This truly does make the Similan Islands a place that everyone should visit.

Then there are also places closer to Phuket too. Places like Khai Island that offer great snorkeling for either a day trip or half day trip. This is ideal for people who want to make full use of their holiday as they can do an afternoon trip if they arrive in the morning or go in the morning of their last day if they have an afternoon flight. This island has great snorkeling as its surrounded by shallow sand and reef attracting many types of fish.

Then there are so many other great ways to explore the island of Phuket. ATVs or rafting for the adventurous thrill seekers.

Then we have full day Safari's to the Khao Sok national park where you can float down the river on a bamboo raft in peace and quiet with some amazing photo shots available of the wildlife.  Then amble back through the jungle paths on the back of an Elephant.  The take an Ox cart  to a local village for lunch.

 Then amble back through the jungle paths on the back of an Elephant.  The take an Ox cart  to a local village for lunch.

Horse riding too along the white sandy beaches of Phukets virgin and hidden beaches. Again this is great for a half day trip as the rides are for the morning and later in the afternoons to keep the horses out of the midday sun. 

Then There is a dinner cruise to round the day off. How about a five course meal on board a Chinese junk and it sails through the Phang Nga national park at sunset. This truly is the most amazing back drop to your evening meal that you can ever find anywhere. Amazing food in one of the most romantic settings that you will ever see. You can see this a thousand times at it will take your breath away every single time.

All of these plus the local markets and designer shopping centers, bowling, bars, shows and nightlife you will never be stuck for things to do in Phuket. So when planning your next holiday then you really need to give serious thought Phuket Thailand. Once you have been then nothing else quite hits the spot again.

Similan Islands, The Jewel Of The Andaman

SIMILAN ISLANDS

The Similan Islands are not only the jewel in the Andaman ocean but a jewel in the oceans of the blue planet we call Earth. These islands lie 65 kilometers off the west coast of Thailand. This is just 85 km north west of the tourist hub ofPhuket Thailand. This island chain consist of nine islands in the Similanarchipelago which are just pin pricks in any map but with such stunning beauty that it will leave you wanting to return year after year. The Similan national park consists of the nine islands plus two more islands that stand alone to the north of the main group. The eleven islands are Koh Bangu, Koh Bon, Koh Ha, Koh Hin Pousar, Koh Huyong, Koh Meang, Koh Payan, Koh Payang, Koh Payu and Koh Similan. In total they cover 140 square kilometers with the largest being Koh Similan. Koh being the Thai word for island.

The islands themselves are on the whole uninhabited with a few tents and cabins available for an overnight stay during the season. The low lying islands are covered in a mix of thick jungle, white sandy beaches and large boulders. Ironwood and gum trees are among the larger trees, while jackfruit, rattan and bamboo form part of the denser undergrowth. The islands are home to crab-eating monkeys, dusky langurs, squirrels, bats, lizards and a good variety of birds (though the monkeys are shy and rarely seen by the casual observer).

But the most striking feature of these islands, at first glance, are the huge boulders that litter the western and southern shores on several of the islands. Another highlight, as the visitor soon discovers, are the white coral-sand beaches, splendidly picturesque and often deserted.

All eleven islands are surrounded by crystal blue tropical bays and lagoons. The clear warm water makes these islands a snorkeling and scuba diving dream. The conditions for coral growth are ideal, with a minimum prevailing sea temperature of about 28oC and exceptionally clear waters. More than 200 species of hard coral alone have so far been identified in this area, while these islands have the greatest profusion of reef fish in Thai waters. These are not only the best islands in Thailand but in the world.

DIVING THE SIMILAN ISLANDS

For scuba diving then by far the best way is to join one of the Liveaboard boats that tour these islands during the season which runs from 15th October till the 15th of May each year. This way you can travel from island to island diving as you go and still being able to stay in a comfortable air conditioned cabin with en-suit toilet and showers. The Liveaboard boats these days are a far cry for what many think of or experienced years ago. The boats in the Similans are all trying to be better than the others. This means that all the boats now have great chefs turning out better food on these dive boats than many smaller hotels and guest houses. Some boats are turning out four meals a day with snacks in-between. They all have almost unlimited supply of soft drinks all well chilled and of course when on a boat cruising in the tropic a nice sun deck too.

To join these trips is very simple. Just pop into any dive shop phuket that have gathered in this ideal location and there are trip leaving every day from Phuket. The best way to join these trips is to look for a well establish dive center specializing in scuba diving phuket with many years experience on the island as they will offer you several options both in length and quality of boat for you to choose from. The average price of a good mid range trip is fifteen to twenty thousand Thai baht for a three day cruise. This price will normally include the transfers from your hotel in Phuket, all your dive equipment and being a national park there is an entrance fee too. These are normally all included but do check these things when booking to avoid any unexpected fees. Some dive centers do offer "cheap trips" but then they add on all the extras so be aware of this and try to book a trip where everything is included as this will rule out any issues later. On Phuket diving shops are in every town. That is why a bit of research is best as the long established shops are the best as the newer shops tend to have to try marketing tricks to get the customers  as diving phuket is many people dream so new shops tend to come and go which is why the best diving is done with the older well establish dive centers as they have so many returning customers they dont need tricks to bring in customers just plain simple great service.

The Similan island liveaboards which are two or three day trips which take you to the eleven islands in the Similan national park including Koh Bon. The nine islands in the Similans islands are known for their clear waters with 40 meter or more viability being the norm rather than the exception. Here you will find both Black and white tip reef sharks, Hawksbill turtles as this is a turtle breeding ground too. Recent years have seen the rise in new visitors too like the guitar shark, Minke and pilot whales too. Koh Bon is the most northern island in the group and is a location where people go to see both the reef and giant Oceanic Manta Ray. When in Phuket Thailand then there is no better place on earth to visit than the Similan islands.

Now Time To Think About That Liveaboard In The Similan Islands for 2016 / 17 Season With Thailand Divers.

Yes its that time again in phuket thailand.  The similan islands will be opening again in October for another six months of great diving.  Many similan liveaboard boats are already have many bookings for the Christmas and New year period. So if you are looking to go to the similans this year then its a good time to start thinking about it.  The similan islands are not only the best islands in Thailand for diving but in  the top 10 places in the world. So if you have already been to phuket scuba diving and are thinking of things to do in phuket then a 2 or 3 day similan liveaboard is the answer.

There are a good selection of boats that go to the similan islands on different length cruises. These range for an over night trip to a massive eight days which not only go to the similans but get you to the surin islands a a day diving richelieu rock too. Then on to the Burma banks and black rock before heading back to the similan islands and home.

The 3 or 4 day trips take to to the best spots in the similan islands and then again to the surin islands and still the day diving richelieu rock and then back again. These 3-4 day trips are by far the most popular as these days the boats going to the similan islands are very comfortable with air con and great chefs onboard to keep you well fed.

So this year when you are scuba diving in phuket and the islands around then dont leave it till the last minute to think about a few days in the similan islands diving some of the best islands in thailand and thus the world. With many people from the Red Sea already booking trips for this year in phuket thailand its looking like it will be a very popular place so better to start planning that trip before the best spots get filled.

LEARNING TO DIVE IN PHUKET’S PERFECT REEF’S SHOULD START WITH A PERFECT POOL TOO.

When people decide they want to learn scuba diving in phuket they do so to enable them to dive in the warm tropical waters with nice colourful reefs. Here in phuket thailand there are many dive centers phuket and most use shared pools which tend to get dirty and crowded. Here at Thailand Divers we think that the pool training should be in a setting to match the diving in the oceans. When people are looking for things to do in phuket they are expecting the best.

In phuket scuba diving is what many people think about, research and plan for months in advance. Then they turn up to a dirty crowded pool some on busy streets with on lookers staring in. This is not the best conditions to to learn in.  What you need is quiet location in very small groups so you can get personal instruction in a relaxed enviroment.   Open water courses in a nice quiet pool in relaxed surroundings right next to the classroom. are perfect.  When learning to dive the setting makes all the difference between a standard course and a perfect, relaxed enjoyable course.  If you choose to do the PADI open water course phuket or open water course similans, that initial session underwater makes all thi difference.  At Thailand Divers when you choose to learn to dive in phuket thailand you did so you could dive in a warm clear tropical setting. You want a nice warm , clean, uncrowded open air pool well away from the crowds and dirty street side pools. The beauty of scuba  diving in phuket  is the great reefs, warm clear water and that should apply when learning to the pool too.

The Open Water Course phuket will get you out in the beautiful Andaman ocean in the warm clear waters. The diving in phuket thailand is really some of the best in the world when it comes to learning as there is so much to see and the conditions are great for most of the year. So why will you choose to learn to dive in some of the best locations there are and then do the training in a very average pool with a crowd of others and when the water is far worse than you will get in the ocean. If you took the time to pick the perfect location, the correct dive center with the best instructors then why not make sure the pool is of the same standards and in the same settings. After all the pool is where you will get your first experience underwater. The pool is where you will learn all the skills and if the pool is or poor condition then how can the initial training be perfect too?

Here at Thailand Divers we are lucky enough to have the best settings to dive in as we have the amazing Andaman ocean. We have great instructors who are here all year round and have been teaching in phuket thailand for many years so know the waters better than any. We as the top of the padi dive centers phuket have been here for 14 years so again more experienced than most. So when you decide to come to phuket scuba diving then there really is no better location to begin your scuba diving adventure and as the first step is in the pool than that must be as perfect as the diving you are about to do. So come to paradise and join the best by learning scuba diving in phuket.