Never Give Up On A Dive Day Just Because Of The Weather

How many of us have looked out the window and said no diving today??

 Here in Phuket Thailand this week so many people did just that. Early morning was driving rain and wind and so many just turned over and went back to bed. BAD MOVE. Phuket in low season can produce some amazing diving and many who live here prefer diving phuket in low season. Less people and better still less boats and noise for the wildlife. This brings the more shy creatures out to play. 

This was really the case this week for two very lucky divers and their instructor. They day was a bad one weather wise in the morning. But as the boat left Phuket and headed out to some of the smaller Phuket islands things started to improve. The wind and rain stopped and the cloud started to break up. On dive number one ant Racha Yay in bay number 1 all the normal suspects turned up. Giant morae eels, sting ray, nemo, lion fish, parrot fish, butterfly fish and all the rest. 

Then back on the boat for a big hot lunch and prepare for dive number two. Everyone who comes with us phuket scuba diving knows we always love our big lunches. This was a great dive down to the collection of three wrecks all close together so can all be done in one dive. First the Harubi which was an old snorkel boat, then the wooden wreck of an old speed boat and lastly the massive bow section of a cargo vessel that sunk 3 years ago and towed to Racha Yai for diving. 

Then back to the boat for another light snack before dive three. A nice easy dive on the shallow reefs and the start of home run reef and this is where we bumped into a very friendly turtle that was just happy to swim along with us for a good portion of the dive. Yes we do see a fair few hawksbill turtles on the many phuket tours that we run from phuket and the Similan islands are a breeding ground so on the similan islands liveaboard trips then you do get a lot. This friendly guy was part of the group. swimming all around us, between us and going where we went. This is what makes Phuket diving so special in low season. The creatures are used to divers but dont like the crowds and noise of high season. So when it comes to the quiet times they all come out and interact with us. 

After this excellent dive it was back to the boat for afternoon tea and a look at the photos of the day. BUT the best was yet to come. When scuba diving Thailand most people think you need to go on big cruises to places like the Similans get the good stuff. Not in low season. Suddenly the captain sounded the horn and turned the boat on a new direction. 

Just a hundred meters away was a Minke whale. The boat cut the speed and had a course alongside but keeping its distance. The whale was having none of it and came to investigate. The whale was swimming just thirty meters along side the boat quite happy. 

In recent years there have been many types of whale sighted just off of phuket by the dive boats including Orca's, Minke whales, pilot whales, Omura's whales, Brydes whale and this year a Blue whale was sighted. This makes a phuket safari whale watching a real possibility as the number of different types seen here each year is growing all the time.

 This means now that the wildlife in the water is as good as that in places like the Khao Sok national park.  Each year many people come to phuket for the standard James bond island tour or phi phi bamboo. These are good tours but to get the best out of your stay in phuket thailand you need to do a tour like the Khao Sok safari trip and if you can combine this with a phuket day trip on the water too then who knows what you will see. 

May be a day game fishing phuket will get you in areas where whales can be spotted too. Doing any of these great trips where you can get out into a marine national park or the Khao Sok national park during the day. Then back in your phuket hotel or phuket guest house in time for dinner is an excellent way to explore.

 The one thing thats certain is the great sunsets that low season provides is second to none. 

Fed Up With Cramped Speed Boat Tours? Yes We Are Too.

Yes, here on Phuket Thailand there are so many Phuket day trips on offer to all the normal location. When you arrive there are a hundred other speed boats there and a thousand other people. You are squeezed onto a speed boat and the the boats race at dangerous speeds to try to race all the others to the destination risking life and limb. Well NOT any more. Thats all about to change. As usual Thailand Divers being one of the most established phuket dive center we are always looking to make things better.

We are no offering a brand new tour on a modern high speed Catamaran. Plenty of space to move around and mix with other guests. A bar to get refreshments, a sun deck to relax on and a kitchen so there will always be a snack available to you. I dont know of any of the other non diving day trips Phuket has that offers such a great comfort level.

 Even the Similan islands that has really world class diving still ( on some cheap trips) lack the comfort on the way out and back. Yes the Similans has some of the best diving on the plant and most of the liveaboard boats are very nice indeed but when you are NOT on the liveabaord and are on a speed boat tour then thats the problem. The same goes to Phuket. All the trips to the Phuket islands are by speed boats. Cramped conditions and you get wet when it rains in low season or from the waves.  Not anymore.

This new trip " Pirates of the Andaman" trip.

Our pirate catamaran invites you to go on a cruise with the whole family on board. It will be fun for both children and adults. Fun games, beach activities will not make anyone get bored on the trip.  The catamaran has two decks, the lower deck is equipped with comfortable seats and tables for guests with full visibility through wide windows, cocktails-bar. 

The upper deck – an open air, it is convenient to enjoy the sun and sea breezes and make great photos. Walk into the lagoon where we will swim and snorkeling with mask in the clear water of the Andaman Sea and go on a treasure hunt. On the way back we will arrange cool party on the ship’s deck. During the tour, we will serve you: snacks, soft drinks and for adults – our signature pirate cocktail.

There are 2 different destinations. One is exploring the bays and coves along the West coast of Phuket. Then other is visiting the tropical uninhabited island of Racha Noi. Great hidden coves and beaches ideal for snorkeling and Racha Yai the larger of the 2 islands to the south of Phuket. 

This trip runs everyday. One day up the west coast and the other to the islands of the south. You are collected from Karon beach and from Kata Beach everyday for a great fun filled day.  Swimming, isolated beaches, fishing, fun and games, snorkeling and great food. Just the life of a pirate. 

For this great trips you do not need to be a scuba diver to enjoy the best islands in Thailand or even as wth many tour have to get up at the crack of dawn. A nice lazy start time and a bit of comfort as you explore the hidden bays of Phuket. No matter where your Phuket hotel Karon beach is not too far away so plenty of time to have breakfast first. Then be back at you phuket guest house or hotel in plenty of time for diner.

Snorkeling in Phuket should be no different to diving when it comes to relaxation and comfort. Why should the Phuket scuba diving trips have all the best boats. well not for much longer. The Pirates of the Andaman trip really is a fun way to see the Phuket islands. 

The Best Scuba Diving in Thailand with Thailand Divers

Phuket Thailand is well known for having some of the best scuba diving on the planet.  From the warm shallow reefs found when diving phukets local sites  like Racha Noi and Racha Yai are a haven for small animals, reef life and great place to learn scuba diving in Phuket. 

Nestling like a pearl in the Andaman Sea, Phuket  sets itself apart from and elevates it above Thailand's other diving destinations, and this is one of the reasons why so many visitors come back for scuba diving Thailand year after year. Phuket is the ideal location as you have the Gulf of Thailand to the East and the Andaman ocean and the Similan islands to the west.

Simply put, this island is the only resort area from where you can visit all the best islands in Thailand with regular liveaboard tours to the famous Similans,  Richelieu Rock, as well as Burma.

Scuba diving in Phuket offers a wide range of interesting local adventures too, with its soft coral pinnacles, coral filled bays on the many islands, wall diving on Koh Doc Mai. Discover the sunken treasures of the King Cruiser,  an ideal site for deep divers and wreck divers. Then there's the chance to dive with manta rays, eagle rays, Leopard sharks and even the odd whales at Racha Noi South Tip. 

Scuba diving phuket is ideal if you are a photographer then you can take underwater photos of cuttlefish or the leopard sharks at Shark Point or Koh Phi Phi. Shark Point is a series of pinnacles covered in colourful soft corals and alive with sea life. Nearby is Anemone Reef, another pinnacle carpeted in magnificent anemones and a great place to see clownfish and find turtles. Then you have the reefs of Racha Noi with its protected dive sites means great viz all year. Then the white sandy bays create great lighting too to produce some great photos. 

The Phi Phi Islands are further away but still well in range of the day trips boats and these days trips are available every still from phuket.   These ever-popular islands provide splendid wall dives where you might find reef sharks and groupers, schooling reef fish such as fusiliers, as well as smaller marine treasures such as pipefish and squid. The trip to Koh Phi Phi is not as pretty as some but this day trip is well worth the trip as its a great location to dive with sharks and turtles. Then the third dive at Shark point is stunning. 

With unbeatable access to all of the best diving in Thailand, its own varied and fascinating underwater worlds, plus its legendary topside attractions of fantastic beaches and thumping nightlife, Phuket Thailand remains very popular with both young and experienced scuba divers alike.

You can visit all of the top Thailand diving spots all of the year round, but the best conditions exist from November through to April. The similan liveaboard season runs from early October through to mid May.

Late May to October brings monsoon winds and surface swells to the island, sometimes reducing visibility by about 30%, but it's pretty rare that local diving trips are cancelled due to bad weather. Indeed some of the sites are just as good, if not better, in the low season. October also brings heavy rains to the Andaman Sea.

Similan Islands Liveabaords

Want to venture further to experience some of the best diving in the world?

 Thailand Divers is one of the best and has one of the greatest selections of phuket liveabaord trips to the similan island national park. We are the leading authority in adventure-laden to the Similan and Surin islands and offers a wide range of trips from October to May to the very best dive sites in Thailand.  Including the world famous Richelieu Rock, plus Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and the Surin Islands.

You can also go further north - across the border to Burma for a massive eight day adventure taking in the Similan islands, surin islands and then on into the Burma banks and the remote Mergui Archipelago. And from June to September there are some tour options that take in the best sites of Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands.

You might find it useful to use the live chat function on the website to check all available trips, cabin types and other options in advance as some of the amazing liveabaord trips can book up well in advance. Thailand divers has trips departure almost everyday so we can always find a date that suits your travel plans and budget. 

We also have a selection of top quality Patong beach hotels and some of the best Phuket guest houses all in great locations that are your own little oasis in which to relax in before and after your trips. all our Phuket hotels and patong guest houses are all from our customers choices. They are all names that keep cropping up as ones that offer great quality service and comfort. All are close by all the main attractions and yes in quiet cul de sacs that offer peace and tranquility when needed. 

Phuket Thailand is a dream location and if you are thinking of the perfect phuket liveabaord trip then you only need to think similan Thailand and you will always have the best diving trips available to anyone around the world.  

Where is the Best Diving in Thailand? Where to Stay? and Who to Dive With.? Thailand Divers Who Else.

The best diving in Thailand is in the Andaman Sea. Richelieu rock and Koh Tachai are the highlights.  These world-class dive sites deserve to be in every divers' top 10. Other places to target are the Similan islands and Surin Islands. These 2 island groups are located off the west coast in the Andaman ocean. They are part of a chain of islands that produce amazing diving right up into Burma and the Burma banks. This whole area is best done on a similan islands liveabaord trip

When to visit Thailand? From October to April is the best time for the Andaman Sea. Giant Manta Rays arrive at the Similans from late November and are seen well into April. Come mid May the West coast starts to get humid and then the rain showers can come in the evenings and the monsoon season can start as early as late May and can continues until September. Plus the marine reserves which host most of the best diving are closed from 15th May to the middle of October. During this time, the Gulf of Thailand to the east of the country is a better option. The best diving on this side is around Racha Noi and Racha Yai to the south of Phuket. 

Diving Phuket has some great all year round dive locations as the islands of Racha Noi and Racha Yai have good diving on both the east and west sides so there are always well protected dive sites all year round. Scuba diving phuket has great advantages as the boats are larger than those of phi phi and Koh Tao which means in low season there is plenty of space inside if you get caught in a shower but also they all have nice sun decks to relax during dives. They also have great chefs onboard to cook you breakfast, lunch and snacks on the way back all included in the price. This means that when you learn to dive phuket then you have the best experience on the boats which makes learning so much easier. For those wanting to discover scuba diving phuket or even do the open water course similans then phuket thailand is a great place to start.

Just pop online and chat with Thailand divers as they are one of the most established of the dive centers phuket has. Any good padi dive center phuket will have the live chat on the website so you can chat with the staff day or night. 

On top of this Thailand Divers also has several patong beach hotels and phuket guest house that are close by but most important is they offer the best service and lower prices. All are recommended by our divers as offering top quality for your money. A good Phuket guest house gives you the freedom and surroundings to relax in the evening after a great day on the water. 

So to wrap up if you are looking for a liveabaord then the similan islands Thailand is the top choice. The similan Thailand adventure is one you will always remember. Then if you are looking for a day trip, or are looking to learn to dive in Thailand then Phuket is the place to stay and make sure you get a day or two at Racha Noi. phuket all year round does offer some amazing diving. 

At Last A Dive Trip Fitting With A Tropical Island Paradise

At last there is a great dive trip that does not need you to get up before the birds. Phuket Thailand has a large number of dive centers and even more dive boats bit they all have just one thing in common. "We pick you up from your hotel at 07:30am" or if you are going to the Similan islands then its 06:30am.  Now what do people want on holiday? Most want a lie in followed by a good breakfast and may be a dip in the pool before thinking about what to do for the day.  Sounds good yes??

Well here at Thailand Divers we have something new to offer.  We have made diving phuket a relaxed affair. We now have an afternoon diving trip with hotel pick ups starting at midday.  We have taken scuba diving Thailand to a whole new level.  Although the big dive boats offer great service, excellent food and a very relaxed day in stunning surroundings. The two things that they cant offer is late starts or short boat trips.

Now the long boat trip does have a bad effect on some....sea sickness. Now by using a comfortable high powered speed boat we can solve both these problems. With a boat trip of 30 minutes there is not time for the motion sickness to kick in, specially as 10 minutes of this time is in the large bay where the marina is located.  As far as things to do in Phuket goes scuba diving is up there at the top of the list. The great thing about the scuba diving  Phuket has to offer is we have great locations in shallow waters very close to the main island resorts.

Phuket diving is in warm waters all year round and we dive here 365 days a year. The locations we have available offer great diving for even the most nervous divers. Discover scuba diving phuket is done not in a pool but on the shallow reefs of Racha Noi and or racha Yai. Now this has far more to see than the sides of a swimming pool.

This afternoon trip is a perfect way to discover scuba diving phuket.  You can still make full use of the great nightlife the night before and still have time to go diving. The trip will speed you out to the island of Racha Yai where you will have time for 2 dives each one an hour long. There is time to relax on the beach too. Plus for non divers there is great swimming and snorkelling while those who want to dive do.

After the second dive its back aboard the speed boat where you will have time for a glass of sparkling wine or chilled punch as we speed over the flat ocean as the sun sets into the golden ocean. This is what diving in Thailand should be like. Lazy days, tropical islands, warm clear oceans, spectacular sunsets and chilled fizz as the sun sets. Now this is what the experience dives can see very day on the liveaboards in the similans but has always been out of reach of many novice divers and pretty much all snorkelers. But not anymore. Paradise really has come to the masses and every single person who wants to experience scuba diving in Phuket. This is a great boat on which to learn to dive Phuket as you can do both discover scuba diving and even your open water course Phuket without having to get up at the crack of dawn. This is how holidays in Thailand phuket especially are ment to be.