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. 

Phuket Scuba Diving During Monsoon season.

What can I expect on a Monsoonal day?

       Scuba diving in Thailand during monsoon season can be a great time of year to visit phuket thailand. Phuket is positioned about half way down the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman ocean. Thailand has a northern and southern monsoon. Phuket being central can get either northern or southern monsoon, both or neither. When diving Phuket this time of year can have warm sunny days and mainly short sharp showers  at night. During the day can produce again heavy showers that last 20 minutes or so then dry up in 15 minutes as well. During Monsoon season the weather and winds come from the west, right across the Indian Ocean and can produce good surf all along the west coast resorts such as Patong, Karon and Kata beaches.

What is Monsoon?

The word monsoon literally means ‘season’ in Arabic. Traders travelling the waters off the Arabian and Indian coast noted for centuries that dry, cool, northeast winds blew for 6 months and then suddenly changed to warm, moist air from the southeast. So in a nutshell, the monsoon weather is a change in the type and direction of winds (and therefore swell) that brings moist air.

When and How Does it work?

Between April to September, the wind blows from the southeast as the land mass of India, the Himalayas and beyond heats up relative to the ocean. This causes moist warm air from the Indian ocean to rush into the gap as the warmer air rises. This is the moist ‘maritime’ air that brings the monsoonal rains. Between October and March, this phenomenon is reversed, as the temperature of the Indian Ocean is warmer relative to the land. This pulls dry, cool ‘continental’ winds to Phuket Thailand. This is often called the ‘dry’ or ‘high’ season but even the flash floods only last 30 mins or so. 

 What does it mean for the scuba diving Phuket? 

During monsoon season in Phuket is really mid May till mid October. This time of year is not bad for scuba diving in phuket. The weather is better in monsoon season than it is in many countries on a good day. As far as the ocean goes we can have flat seas on good days and up to three meter waves on the really bad days. As an average the waves are 75cms to 1 meter high. This does not really effect the dive boats here as they are mostly large sturdy boats built for diving in these conditions. The main difference is the direction of the wind, weather and swell. All the locations are useable all year round. The only exceptions are King Cruiser, Shark point and Anemone reef. Although very rare these sites can be canceled in extreme conditions as they are situated out in the middle of the ocean with no protection. 

The diving is fine but if the waves become too big it can become too risky getting back on the boats after a dive. Both Phi Phi and Racha Noi and Yai are good all year as they both offer sheltered bays on both the East and West side of the islands. This means calm flat water all year. The trip out and back to Phi Phi can be longer if there is strong wind or big waves as the boats run with the wind and waves on the way out and against on the way back. The trips to the racha Islands is ok too as there is protection from the waves for most of the way from Phuket and Coral island. Then from Racha Yai. However from Coral island to Racha Yai can be a bit exposed as can from Racha Yai to Noi. This however is only in the worst conditions and most days are great conditions. You can expect an odd shower at anytime during monsoon season but then again the clouds do tend to hang around the mountains on Phuket and the days on the sea tend to be nice. During this time of year the weather will change from day to day, week to week. Just ask in the office to check the conditions on the days you wish to dive and you can pick the locations depending on the weather. 

The best things about Monsoon season.

The best thing about the Phuket diving during this time of year is the cheap hotel prices and there are less people on the dive boats. The dive sites are less crowded and the fish are less spooked. The visibility is normally very good too unless a big storm has just passed by. There can be a bit more wind or an odd shower and remember even if its cloudy and raining on phuket there is a good chance of sun out on the ocean. Phuket scuba diving is great all year round. In a two week holiday you can get a bit of everything. From one extreme to another. 

All the normal Phuket tours run here all year round. Ok yes when the weather is really bad the small speed boat tours to places like James Bond island may be canceled until the weather changes. But in the tropics that can be just one day as the weather changes from hour to hour. There are plenty of other trips available that are not affected by the sea. A great Phuket safari thats a must for nature lovers and photographers is a visit to the Khao Sok national park. This can be an over night trip exploring the jungles or lakes or you can do a 2 night trips combining both jungle and lakes. 

Then for the keen fisherman Phuket game fishing is some of the best in the world. Just like the scuba diving people come from all over the world for the awesome game fishing phuket has on offer. Again this can be affected by the weather in low season but one day can be rain and the next blue sky and sun. All its means is that there is a chance that you will have wet days as well as sunny ones.

One last thing to remember is that the similan islands that lie to the west of phuket being a marine national park closes from mid May and does not open again till mid October. The similans are closed for 6 months each year to give the stunning reefs and wildlife a break from the noise and disturbance that tourism brings. The similan islands liveabaords are the best way to explore the islands when it comes to scuba diving. Then for the best snorkeling in Phuket the best way is by speed boat that will take you to four of the nine islands and get to all the best snorkel locations. The similan islands are by far the best of the phuket islands for both diving and snorkeling.

Just remember that this time of year one day can be a typical monsoon day and the next a typical tropical island paradise style weather. This time of year is awesome and does create the most stunning sunsets. Truly worth a visit.

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. 

Everyone Should Always Look To Do One New Thing Every Week.

With this in mind, the perfect place to Discover Scuba Diving Phuket is awesome.

The warm shallow reefs of the near by Phuket islands offers awesome conditions for people to learn scuba diving in phuket. Once you begin your first trip below the waves you will be hooked for life.

The PADI Open Water Course Phuket is your licence to the amazing underwater world.

The course is set over 3 days with 6 tropical coral reef dives. Once you have completed your open water course you will be able to dive Anywhere in the World for the rest of your life to a maximum of 18 meters.

From your first breath underwater when  you discover scuba diving phuket you will be hooked on diving and the underwater environment. Nothing compares to the beauty, the quiet and relaxation you feel when just drifting along with so much life going on around you. Phuket Thailand has some of the best diving in the world. Diving Phuket is something you need to see to believe.

This is not all as now you can join a similan island liveaboard and do your open water course similans and then you will be in one of the top ten scuba diving locations on the planet. A similan islands liveaboard is a once in a life time trip.

For more information please look at our website: Learn to dive in Phuket

All PADI courses everyday of the year. And what better is the fact you can do most of them on a similan Thailand liveabaord too. The Similan islands are not just for divers but also a must for snorkelers too. A great day trip is to visit the similans by speedboat. This way you can get to 4 of the 9 islands and explore the shallow reefs that the larger dive boats can not reach. If you are going to do just one of the many Phuket tours then this is the one to do.

 

There are plenty of other to choose from like James Bond island or the very popular Phi Phi Bamboo trip but the similans really is worth the effort to get up early and see for yourself. Then for the sportsman Phuket game fishing is some of the best in the world. Set on the edge of the Andaman ocean the game fishing phuket has available will rival that of anywhere.

 For those who want to explore with out getting wet the Khao Sok discovery is something very special too. This is a chance to go on a real safari. Just north of Phuket lies the khao Sok national park.  he you can do an overnight trip into the Khao Sok jungle or explore the rivers and lakes. But for a real treat then the 3 day 2 night phuket safari has one night in the jungle and one on the banks of the lakes. Both are stunning locations and a photographers dream.

This is where Thailand Divers comes into its own as the top Phuket dive center as not only do we offer the best diving and the best training available but we also have so many other trips and tours so you can explore all over Phuket by land and sea. Then on top of that we have also a great selection of Phuket hotels and most relaxing Phuket guest houses but when booking your tours we can collect you from your Patong beach hotel and then after your trip or safari we can return you to another part of the island to a new guest house phuket so you can continue your exploring.

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.

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.