Showing posts with label #Richelieu Rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Richelieu Rock. Show all posts

An Awesome Visitor To The Similan Islands. The Biggest Creature To Have Ever Lived.

The Similan Islands has always been a heaven on earth when scuba diving Phuket.




Now if the Similan islands that lie just off the west coast of Thailand in the warm Andaman ocean did not already have a thousand reasons to go there it now has one more decisive reason to visit.


Up till now the big draw for diving in the similans has been the clear waters, the stunning corals and the largest fish in the ocean - The Whale shark. Now there is one even larger visitor spotted. The biggest creature to have EVER lived on the planet. The Blue Whale.





When doing a similan islands liveaboard over the season many people have been lucky enough to see a variety of whales from the Minke whale, Orca's, Brydes Whale, Pilot whales, Curviers beaked whale, Omura's Whale and now the Blue Whale too. This is looking to be an amazing location to see a large selection of whales too. 



A phuket safari to the similans by no means is a cert to see these giants of the oceans just as when on any phuket scuba diving trip we can only take you to the locations that give the best chance. Like Richelieu Rock, and Koh Tachai are a top locations for the whale shark and add Koh Bon to the list for the Manta ray too.  But luck still has to play a part too. 



But the blue Whale is without a doubt the most awesome creature for anyone to dream of seeing. 



The blue whale grows up to 110 feet in length. Its heart is the size of a small car. Its major artery is big enough that you could wedge a small child into it (although you probably shouldn’t). It’s an avatar of hugeness. And its size is evident if you ever get to see one up close. From the surface on a boat you can not make out the entire animal—just the top of its head as it exposed its blowhole and took a breath. But as it dives its head tilted downwards, its arching back broke the surface of the water in a graceful roll. Its only then you can see the size of the animal as the head dives the rest just follows and you see it seems to go on for ever. 



But why did they get so big?? There are several answers. We’re not short of possible answers. Some scientists have suggested that giant bodies were adaptations to the recent Ice Age: At a time of uncertain climate and unstable food supplies, bigger whales could store more fat, and their large bodies  allowed them to more efficiently migrate in search of the best feeding grounds. Some pointed their fingers at competition between early baleen whales, forcing some members to become giant filter-feeders. Others said that whales became big to escape from titanic killers, like the megalodon shark, or the sperm whale Livyatan. Yet others have pointed to Cope’s rule—the tendency for groups of creatures to get bigger over evolutionary time. may be a bit of both. But the one thing for sure is when you see one of these you will remember for the rest of your life. 



There are so many phuket tours these days to see all the sights around the area of Phuket Thailand like James Bond island but non will come close to the chance of diving with a Blue Whale and thats for sure.  



Another good way to see the whales is on a phuket game fishing trip. This is because the fishing boats stay away from the busy diving and snorkeling areas and thus to places where the whales can be spotted. The game fishing phuket has to offer is excellent all year round. There is a standard trip that will get a wide selection of fish but the "Big game" trips are where you are more likely yo see the big whales off in the deeper waters to the west of phuket and the phuket islands.  Either way there are some spectacular sights to be seen on any phuket tour




Such A Great Sight And So Tragic To see What Some People Will Do.

Thailand Divers in Phuket Thailand has some sad but also very interesting story on a very rare shark.




One of the rarest fish in the oceans the Mega Mouth shark was by accident caught in a fishing net but then rather than free it the sold it still alive to a Japanese scuba diving center who then penned it in and held it captive till it died. 


Most good scuba diving centers like we have here in Phuket Thailand are 100% passionate about the oceans and all that live in them and do all we can to protect them BUT it seems not all scuba diving centers are not so protective of the oceans. 


The megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) is a species of deepwater shark. It is rarely seen by humans and is the smallest of the three extant filter-feeding sharks alongside the whale shark and basking shark. this just goes to show how rare is was since it was only discovered in 1976. Since its discovery in 1976, few megamouth sharks have been seen, with 61 specimens known to have been caught or sighted as of April 2015, including three recordings on film. Like the other two planktivorous sharks, it swims with its enormous mouth wide open, filtering water for plankton and jellyfish. It is distinctive for its large head with rubbery lips. It is so unlike any other type of shark that it is usually considered to be the sole extant species in the distinct family Megachasmidae, though suggestion has been made that it may belong in the family Cetorhinidae, of which the basking shark is currently the sole extant member.


This shark is said to be the last of the prehistoric sharks still around with may be the exception of the Greenland shark. This is why its so sad that a deep water shark was held captive in the shallows for scuba divers. In Thailand there are so many marine national parks like the Similan islands where the thousands of people who come scuba diving Phuket each year can see all the great species of fish in the wild. This captivity of wild creatures is something that all good scuba diving centers are strongly against. 


The appearance of the megamouth is distinctive, but little else is known about it. It has a brownish-black colour on top, is white underneath, and has an asymmetrical tail with a long upper lobe, similar to that of the thresher shark. The interior of its gill slits are lined with finger-like gill rakers that capture its food. A relatively poor swimmer, the megamouth has a soft, flabby body. The megamouth is considerably less active than the other filter-feeding sharks, the basking shark and the whale shark. The megamouth has a stout body and a long, wide bulbous head.


Megamouths are large sharks, able to grow to 5.5 metres (18 ft) in length. Males mature by 4 m (13 ft) and females by 5 m (16 ft). Weights of up to 1,215 kg (2,679 lb) have been reported. As their name implies, megamouths have a large mouth with small teeth, and a broad, rounded snout, causing observers to occasionally mistake megamouth for a young orca. The mouth is surrounded by luminous photophores, which may act as a lure for plankton or small fish. This white band is present in both sexes and is thought to be used as a means of identification to other megamouth sharks. Their mouths can reach up to 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) wide.

Behavior
In 1990, a 4.9-m (16-foot) male megamouth shark was caught near the surface off Dana Point, California. This individual was eventually released with a small radio tag attached to its soft body. The tag relayed depth and time information over a two-day period. During the day, the shark swam at a depth of around 120–160 m (390–520 ft), but as the sun set, it would ascend and spend the night at depths of between 12 and 25 m (39 and 82 ft). Both day and night, its progress was very slow at around 1.5–2.1 km/h (0.93–1.30 mph). This pattern of vertical migration is seen in many marine animals as they track the movement of plankton in the water.

Although these awesome creatures are seen all over the world they do seem to be more common around Japan, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. But they have been spotted in the Indian ocean and Vietnam do this does mean it may be possible to find one on a night dive in the similans when they come close to the surface to feed. So fingers crossed next time people say there is not much to see on a night dive remember these great fish are in the area of your Similan island liveabaord and just as none have been seen yet the sighting of these fish are going up every year since they were only first seen in 1976. 

To see such a rare creature in the wild will make the news no matter where you are and if you are on on of the Phuket tours and you see one then you will personally be responsible for the mass increase of tourism to that area. Any phuket safari trip that comes across a fish this rare will make you a local star. Just think you are on the first phuket game fishing trip to see one. Or in a sea canoe at James Bond island and a dark shape swims under you and your gopro gets one of these??
The sad thing about most sighting are when its too late to help then which it why this case was so sad as a perfectly healthy one was caught and given to the people that should be there to help it and all they did was pen it in and keep it captive. Thats whats so sad. The megamouth shark is so rarely seen that its existence eluded us until 1976. To this day, the species is officially known from just 102 specimens

We've yet to discover where these creatures give birth, exactly where they live, or even how many of them are out there. But just recently, divers off the coast of Japan managed to free one of the lumbering giants after it swam into a fishing net. Like so many of the ocean's largest inhabitants, megamouth sharks (Megachasma pelagios) use their 50 rows of tiny teeth to sieve krill, small jellies and other plankton from the surrounding water – and those dietary preferences likely had something to do with how this individual landed in a midwater net. 
The colossal fish are known to dive up to 1,500 metres beneath the surface, but their krill prey regularly migrate from deep to shallow water. Scientists suspect that megamouths follow suit: spending the daytime hours in the depths and ascending to mid-water at night to feed. The composition of their liver oil, which helps sharks stay buoyant, also supports the hunch that they clock ample time in the shallows. 


So just remember there are still plenty of things to discover in our oceans. So why not learn to dive phuket is the perfect place. You may never know what that one day doing a discover scuba diving phuket trip will turn up. Follow it up with a PADI Open water course similans and you chances of some amazing finds goes up drastically. Now that will be a trip to remember. Diving Phuket may not only change your life but history itself. 


Escape From The Crowds And Find The Hidden Gems Of Phuket

Phuket Thailand is not only great for the popular locations.

  There are so many hidden gems out there where you can get away from the crowds and discover the real hidden tropical hideaways,.


The scuba diving Thailand has to offer is some of the best there is and Phuket Thailand has some of the best there is anywhere. There are many places to go diving Phuket as there are many dive centres all doing the same thing. These are the popular sites all that have great diving. The down side is during the peak times these sites can get a bit busy. This is where the skill of the instructors comes in. When you go scuba diving phuket with any instructor you will have an ok days diving. But you go diving with a great instructor you will have a great days diving no matter what the weather or number of other divers there are.


The other option that we here at Thailand Divers are looking to do is when you come to Phuket diving is to introduce them to totally new dive locations that are not being used by the masses. Places that are known by the local fishermen or dive sites long forgotten. Scuba diving in Thailand is a special trip for all and we aim to provide the best there is. Now we have special trips for experienced divers running every week. This way you can dive in exceptional dive sites without going to the similan islands as there are places that offer this level of diving close to Phuket but with out the masses you get on the Similan islands liveabaords.


Yes the similans are great diving and thee is no better place for a liveabaord than the similan islands Thailand as they cover such a large area you can have a week there experiencing the similan islands diving. But they are a very long way to go for a day trip. Here in phuket with the right phuket dive shop you can find this quality of diving right on your doorstep. Thailand Divers can pick you up from you patong beach hotel and have you diving in such great places while you can still smell the breakfast coffee.


We now not only offer the best diving and instructors but we also can offer you the best patong guesthouse or patong hotel  in the same place as the best diving. Yes we now are offering places to stay too. Places that are quiet, stylish, very well priced with quality well above the price to. All close to the town centre. Our guesthouse Patong will really be a perfect oasis and a great place to relax after a days diving.

Check out the specials both diving on and off the water as if you want the best diving with the best guides and on the best locations then Phuket Thailand with Thailand Divers is all you need. Think Similans Thailand then think Thailand Divers as no matter how many times you have been diving in Phuket we can always get you somewhere new.



 There are so many phuket tours that you will be spoiled for choice. From the popular tours like James Bond Island or Phi Phi island to the stunning Khao Sok safari. Just north of Phuket lies the huge Khao Sok national national park with its jungles, river systems and lakes. This is a real nature lovers and photographers dream. There are several phuket safari trips but by far the best is the overnight trip in the Khao Sok national park.


The other great draw to Phuket each year is the excellent Game fishing Phuket has to offer. The fishing here is all year round and the fish available changes with the seasons. Black marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Barracuda, Dorado are here most of the year. Phuket game fishing is a very popular place for fishermen from all over the globe.



So no matter what you want from your holiday then for sure Phuket has it all. party towns, isolated, tranquil beaches, tropical islands, diving, snorkeling, ATVs, White water rafting,  sailing and the list goes on and on. To discover these hidden gems than just go online and chat to us live and we can help you get the most from your holiday.  Phuket really is a tropical island paradise.



A Great Similan Islands Season Comes To A Close.

Thailand Divers Amazing Similan islands Trips This Year



In phuket thailand the Similan island and Richelieu rock live aboard season starts each year on or around the 15th of October each year and runs till mid May. The Similan island liveaboard season normally starts a little slow as there is a little uncertainty with the weather in October and the day trips are offering very good diving with the security of a hotel if a storm comes through at night. This year however is totally different. The weather perfect from the word go and with all the problems in the Red Sea phuket scuba diving liveaboard season started very well indeed.


Now this year has been as busy as ever. The good thing with the Similan islands, Surin islands and richelieu rock is that the area covered is so large that although you do see other boats around when it comes to the dive sites you find you only really see other divers when entering and exiting the water. All dive boats are there to see the fish and not other divers. If another dive boat is on the same island as you they normally pick a site on the other side of the island or at least a different bay.

The Similans offers a whole new approach to liveaboard diving. Most places the boats have a set schedule with the cruise starting on one date and ending on another. Here what we do at Thailand divers is keep the two boats going round and round for 6 months. Then each day we transfer people out to the liveaboard for the start of their trip and then bring those finishing home again in the afternoon. This way we can do an overnight trip, 2 nights, 3 nights or as many nights as you please. You can go out on the day you please and return on the day you please. There is no more booking flights to match the liveaboard trip. Now you book the flights you like and then the liveaboard to match your plans. Plus we also have so many similan island diving trips available these day that we can match just about every persons needs for dates and lengths of trips. Plus these days we can even get you certified as we can do the PADI  open water course similans too.

This has been a great success and the trips have been very popular. But what even better is the creatures that live in the Similans have been very active this year. Whale Sharks galore, Manta rays, Leopard Sharks, Black tips, Hawkbill turtles, green turtles, sea moths, Ribbon Eels, Napoleon Wrasse have all been very active this year. From the tiny nudies , harliquin shrimps and frog fish have all been seen on most trips. So for anyone wanting to discover scuba diving phuket is the perfect location. There is no better place on earth to do the open water course phuket has it all. Great warm water reefs and crystal clear waters all year round. For anyone wanting to learn to dive phuket is perfect place.

From the nice easy diving in the Simlans with its white sandy bays and 40 meter viz to the soaring pinacles of Richalieu rock the diving in phuket on the liveaboards is something that you will remember for a very long time. phuket scuba diving centers are now seeing more and more returning customers each year and many several times a year. This year as many new customers are arriving as the Red Sea is no longer an option and finding the diving here so good and with so many locations to dive that for sure there will be many divers now who will come to phuket thailand from now on as their main diving destination.

The quantity of phuket tours these days in enormous. From the whole liveaboard circuit to the day trips for both divers and snorkelers. Then all the Phuket safari trips to places like James Bond island or up north on the Khao Sok national park. The huge national park is a nature lovers and photographers paradise made up of lakes, mountains, jungles and rivers all teeming with stunning wildlife.

No matter what you like from diving, quad bikes, sightseeing, wildlife, snorkeling and all the other great Phuket tours. Then throw in the awesome phuket game fishing options too. The Game fishing phuket has to offer is second to none.  A holiday to Phuket will be ideal tropical break no matter what you enjoy.

The Island Of Phuket Is Addictive. Once Bitten And You Are Hooked.

Phuket Thailand is addictive and you can Never be 100% free from its Hold



Each year so many people come to Phuket Thailand for their holidays and not all for diving and the same thing happens to so many...They get hooked. After the holiday they go home as normal but then something kicks in as you find that next year they are here twice and then slowly they have several trips a year and each trip gets longer and longer.


For those of us that dive here its twice as hard to leave. The one thing that never changes when diving phuket are the stunning locations, amazing sunsets and awesome people to dive with everyday of the year. Once you have been to phuket scuba diving then you will never forget it and nothing else will ever be quite the same. Scuba diving Thailand is an addiction and once hooked it will always be there in the back of you mind.

No matter where you go and what you do, all amazing places but for many its always just not quite hit that perfect spot as it does in Phuket. If you are going to do your PADI Open water course phuket will leave you in awe and nowhere else will ever compare. May be the sea just a touch colder or the whale shark not quite as close or the beer at the ed of the day just not quiet as cold and crisp as it was in Phuket. Once you discover scuba diving phuket, what ever it is, or most certainly a compilation of many things the result is the same. People just need to come back scuba diving Phuket more and more.

May be its the fact that here on any of the Phuket tours anything is possible. From Orca's to Sea Horses, Leopard Sharks any number of whales or Dolphins. From Whale sharks to the shy Bamboo Shark, Ribbon Eels to Frog Fish. Just remember when in Thailand diving then anything is possible.

From the amazing Similan islands to the west and phi Phi to the east everyday is a new adventure. The Similans are a great location for all levels of diver to spend a few days on the boat and explore some of the top ten dive sites the world has to offer. A similan islands liveabaord has more than enough great diving to keep even the most experienced divers happy. From the warm shallow reefs of the Similan islands themselves to the huge pinnacles at Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. From the smallest critters to the giant Manta Ray and Whale shark you can see it all. The similan islands Thailand are not just for divers but they are also a snorkeling paradise too.


No matter what type of Phuket tour you are on. From diving in the similans to speed boat tour sightseeing places like James Bond island you can be sure you will never be bored. There is just so much to see from your phuket hotel or phuket guest house. it does not matter weather by land or sea, boat or quad bike, canoe or ox cart then Phuket has an experience of a lifetime just around the corner. Places like the Khao Sok national park are a nature lovers and photographers dream.


 Then the Phuket game fishing too has some of the best big game fish around. From the black Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Barracuda all here in the Phuket waters for most of the year makes is a fishing mecca too. Big game fishing phuket is something to be experienced. A holiday to Phuket really does cater for every possible wish for a perfect holiday.


Phuket Thailand Is Now The Perfect Family Holiday Destination

Phuket Thailand has so much to do for the whole family.

             
             Most people seem to think that Phuket Thailand is not a destination to bring the family. This however is a long way from the truth. Yes there is a large party town on the island called Patong. In Phuket scuba diving is just one of many exciting things to do. This in itself is a large town and the bar and night club area is located in one main street. The rest of the town is a normal everyday beach town. There are many towns and villages all over the island all offering quiet scenic beaches away from the crowds. Karon beach has a very long beach and the town in comparison is small so there is plenty of space for the whole family.  There are large comfortable hotels with very well maintained swimming pools, restaurants that serve western style food all day. There are many shaded areas around these pools and hotels for the young and for the hottest part of the day. 


     Patong itself has some nice quiet suburbs which is perfect. Quiet locations but only minutes from all the fun of the biggest towns on the island. There is plenty of shopping in and around Patong with several markets that offer cheap clothes, bags, gifts, beach wear and 1,000s of other things. There is also the huge shopping center Jungceylon. This offers all the branded shops mixed with restaurants, cafes and a couple of bars. Even a German micro brewery which offers a great selection of German beers. The central areas of the shopping center are full of cheap gimmick stalls, cheap clothes, silver, sunglasses, T-shirts and electronics. On the upper floor they have a bowling alley and a 6 screen cinema complex with current English speaking movies. You will never be stuck for things to do in Phuket.

   
As for the beach as long as you avoid the very center of the beach that can get crowded during high season both North and South end offers plenty of space, nice warm water with not much in the way of waves or currents. The rocks at the North end are a good place for snorkeling and the south end is where you can hire a long tail boat to take you to any number of more isolated beaches only available by boat. The snorkeling in Phuket is really very very good just as long as you get off of the main beaches. There are however what some may see as draw backs. There are roped off areas reserved for swimming that means you are safe from the jet skis and parasailing boats. These areas are small and again crowed and the rest of the beach you do have to be aware of the jet skis going in and out. All day long there are people selling food, cool drinks, ice creams, sun glasses, massages, aloe vera and plenty of other things.


               When you get tired of the sun and the beach, Phuket has so many other activities to do. Phi Phi Bamboo island Phuket  is a very  popular tour. This is a speed boat tour that offers snorkeling in 3 different locations, sight seeing, monkey beach, swimming and a visit to Maya bay the location of the Hollywood movie "The Beach". With this tour just beware of the waves as it can be a long way if the sea is rough. Also during high season it can be very crowded with the Chinese sight seeing tours so better to avoid the peak weeks.

     
      
There are so many more Phuket tours available where there are far less people. There are a couple of very famous and popular tours like James Bond island is a better bet as it offers snorkeling, canoeing, sight seeing and a stop at the islans that Sean Connery and Christopher Lee did battle in the James Bond movie The Man With The Golden Gun. This tends to have less people and a more varied day than Phi Phi Bamboo as it is not just snorkeling. There are plenty of other Phuket islands to explore off the beaten track where you can find deserted beaches and unexplored reefs.

       
 Like many places in the far east elephant treking Phuket is a popular tour away from the water and the ocean. This day tour can also be  combined with white water rafting Phuket or A.T.V. riding.  These three activities can be done in any combination or even all three in one day. These tours tend to start around 7.30am and return between 4 and 5 pm. They all include hotel transfers, lunch, drinking water and fresh fruit. The rafting can be a bit hectic in low season after a few weeks of rain but it makes the ATV Phuket much more fun.


Phuket Thailand has a great day out for the more adventurous. A visit to Phuket wave park offers great and safe wake boarding in a state of the art center for all levels of wake boarder from total novice with top instruction right through to professional. This is so much safer than than the boats on the beach as everything is built purely for wake boarding with safety a priority.  Then phuket Thailand has for many years as well as the phuket diving phuket has been a mecca for Big game fishing. The Phuket game fishing tours run all year and as the seasons change offer a large variety of game fish. 



For those of you that are wanting to fill the need for speed or just missing driving but not ready to risk the Phuket roads just yet there is Phuket Speedway Go kart Track.  Here is a well designed raceway suitable for all. the track is well built and organized. For those who want a bit more action there are other modes of transport. From beach buggies, ATVs and even rally cars. This is a really great fuel injected day. Then for the nature lovers and photographers there is the Khao Sok national park.


This is a stunning area just north of Phuket with mountains and lakes. Here there is a great two day or three day Phuket safari tour. For the over night trips there is a choice of either an explore the jungles or the lakes then the three day trips combine both. One night in the bungalows in a jungle clearing and the other on the banks of the lakes. A Khao Sok Discovery trip will be a trip to remember for life.


       North of the island is a bit more rural and this continues up onto the mainland. here we have the Khao Lak and Khao Sok national parks. Here we have Gibbon sanctuaries, stunning jungle walks, swimming in the cool waters and waterfalls, drifting along the mangroves on bamboo rafts or canoes, rice farms, rides through the jungle on elephants or in buffalo pulled carts. These are great days for taking photos and seeing so much more of Thailand than just the beach resorts.



 There are also many half day tours and activities such as going up the mountain to "Big Buddha" which is a huge Buddha built just after the tsunami of 2004 along with a temple complex looking out to where the tsunami came from to ensure it can never happen again. The view from the top is stunning on a clear day as you can see the ocean and the thousands of islands that stretch to the horizon. There is a shooting range where you can shoot almost anything you like. Phuket rollerball or Zorbing. Rolling down a hill in a large inflatable ball. Visit the many temples, markets, farms and explore the old town of Phuket.

   
             Then of course there is the scuba diving Phuket has some of the best diving in the world. . When in Phuket diving is a must. The warm clear waters are teeming with life. Turtles, Nemo, manta Rays, Whale Sharks and thousands of different tropical reef fish. Diving in Phuket is awesome.


 On the island there are many "agents" that offer scuba diving. Its far better and safer to go to a Phuket dive center and talk to the English speaking instructors as this way you can be sure of what you are getting. In Phuket scuba diving is excellent for all levels. The locations are idea for teaching with plenty of shallow reef for even the most nervous of beginner. Phuket offers everything. For those wanting to Discover scuba diving Phuket is a perfect location.  A one day taste where all instruction is given on the way out to a shallow reef so you can do two real dives in the protected bays of near by islands. The good Phuket dive shop include a cooked breakfast, lunch, Afternoon tea, all equipment, return transfers to and from your hotel, tea, coffee, chocolate drinking water and plenty of fresh fruit. Phuket Thailand is one of the most perfect locations to get you PADI Open water or advanced diving license. These worldwide diving licenses and valid for life. There are a few centers that offer much much more right upto instructor training.

     
There is still more diving. The similan islands are just about an hour and a half off the east coast. These islands coupled with the Surin islands make for one of the best liveaboard destinations on earth. They include Koh Tachai , Koh Bon and a day diving Richelieu Rock which is listed as one one of the top ten dive sites of the world. To do a complete circuit takes 5 days and 4 nights but its possible to dive the similans for just one night or as many as you want. The trips leave everyday and return everyday so you choose when to go not the dive boat. If you want to stay longer, fine, as long as the cabin is free then just pay on board for another night. A Similan islands liveaboard is a trip of a life time.



              Then after a long day have a dip in the sea as the sun sets over a stunning island paradise before a choice of just about anything for dinner. Phuket has resturants from just about every country in the world. Phuket being an island has more fish resturants than anything else with an endless supply of great food. However there are a couple of tips. First is trying to avoid the places that have sharks on display outside. These are normally young sharks and although not yet illegal there are very few adult sharks left as they young are vanishing fast. This is something that is on a long list of things that need addressing as Thailand understands the need to preserve the ocean that surrounds it as it supplies so much of its food, income through export and tourism. Point 2 is when in a fish resturant stick with the fish as although rare sometimes the meat can be a slow seller and may have been there some time, where as the fish will fly out the door. Most other places sell such a large selection that nothing stays for long.  Do not be afraid to say " I am not Thai. Please only very little spice." they are used to it.
   
        
 As for the world famous night life of Phuket has everything to offer. From excellent beach side cafes and resturants, karaoke bars and now live music has become very popular. There are many live acts some of whom are very good. They do requests and if they dont know it they will learn it and play it in a day or two's time. There are classic venues such as hard Rock Cafe, Rock City and Hooters. However the best ones tend to be the local bars with local bands. Some of the big hotels have Elvis nights and the like if thats your thing.  There are as expected many "beer" or girly bars clustered together in one street. There are also many fast food outlets here too such as KFC, Burger King, Subway but the best is by far the Thai street sellers. The food is always well cooked and fresh so very safe. The big international outlets are more likely to give problems as the food is frozen and shipped about. The chances of old stock or a box defrosting in the heat at some point from factory to being cooked is higher than fresh food being around long enough to go off.





 There are several great night time food markets where you can try a thousand different dishes. There are a few "Irish" bars around but if you thought drink prices in your country are expensive Guiness in Thailand is double. Most towns have a night club or two that will be open till well into the dawn if not longer. Patong has half a dozen. Most ask you to pay to get in then give the first drink free. The most popular for tourists is Tai Pan as this is free entry and you get a free shooter with your first drink. The prices are not too bad here as well. Other night clubs are prefered by the local bar girls as they will get free entry may be free or cheap drinks inside. These tend to be less busy in quieter times of the year and can be expensive. Most night clubs empty out between 4am and 6am. But for the  best nights out then you need to look for the live music bars like Waves Bar in Soi Freedom with the resident band is the best on the island and can play just about anything you ask for.



        There are also many shows like Fantasy or Simon Cabaret which are good family fun. Fantasy is almost a circus and you can go for the show only or have an evening meal included.  So as you can see in phuket scuba diving is just one thing available. There is a great selection of things available to suit all tastes. Your trip to phuket thailand will be a holiday to remember for everyone. Why not come and see what you are missing. Then as for the phuket hotels there are a huge choice from beach front resorts to superb phuket guest houses in quiet corners offering a great oasis of calm and tranquility to relax in. All the Phuket tours collect you from what ever guest house phuket you are staying in to what ever destination you are wanting and then bring you home to your patong beach hotel in time for dinner.