Holidays in Phuket Thailand Has Some Great Hidden Locations.

All of these towns offer package day trips to all the local tourist sites that you can buy on every street corner to places like James Bond Island. Every one trying to get you to join their tour. You see photos of places like Maya bay that was the location of the Hollywood movie "The Beach" That secret isolated beach that no one knows about. Except that is everyman with a boat in a hundred mile radius is offering a Phi Phi snorkeling tour here and your trip to the beach that no one knows about?? Well only you and the rest of the Asia. 

Ok so that is not always the case but for the month from November till April its standing room only and the bay so full of boats you can walk from one side of the bay to the other from boat to boat and any attempt at snorkeling will have you run down by several hundred visiting speed boats before you have taken you first breath. James Bond island is better as the locations are smaller and more spread out. So the boats are in many different sightseeing locations that even in the height of the season its not too bad. 

Now moving on....There are some great hidden locations around. Thailand Phuket especially being in a perfect location has literally hundreds of islands close by.  Many of these are like the photos you see of Thailand. White empty beaches and clear blue waters. There are actually far easier to get to than you think. Any GOOD Phuket dive shop will have trips to these isolated places as divers like to be away from the crowds so they can explore. Just pop into any Phuket dive center and if they are a good one then they easily get you on a small boat to a place like Khai island or Chicken island or any of the other dozens of lesser known islands. 

This applies to other areas too. There are many quieter towns and villages all over the island. Places like Rawai, Nai Yang or Kamala which are small beach resorts which have all you need including the peace and quiet. They are on the beach and still are with in reach for all the Phuket snorkeling tours and all the other attractions too. 

The small villages like Kathu are just a small taxi ride over the hill from the main party town of Patong and all its attractions but are a total contrast. So laid back that I doubt its reached the 20th centuary yet let alone the 21st. Its full of nice restaurants, cafes and small bars. Local guest houses and family run hotels. They have small street markets where you can buy an evening snack and fresh fruit drinks.

 You can spend hours just wandering around and exploring all the small stores that just spill out into the streets.  There is all manor of food available, all freshly cooked and you just buy something and eat as you go.

 All of these small villages are just crammed with interesting things to see. In these small villages the prices are half that of the bigger towns and the people will just chat to you and tell you all you need to know without wanting money for something. Most are just happy you are taking an interest in their home town.

As you wander around you will find small bands playing traditional Thai music rather than the bars of the resorts thumping out and western music at ten thousand decibels. There is dancing in the streets and all manor of entertainments. 

The real island of Phuket Thailand is only just a stones throw from these big resort towns if people just take the time out to go and explore. Many building decorated with life size paintings and just many other odd things to find if you just the time out from the madness of the tourist towns.

The best way to find these places is just to ask. Talk to people like the long term Phuket scuba diving instructors as these are the guys and girls who have been there for a long time and are not interested in the bars and clubs other than for a special occasion. Most will live in the villages like this as they like to have a good day out on the ocean ( or under it) and then relax in the warm tropical evenings away from the masses. They have been here and done the exploring already and picked the best places for themselves to live. Ask a long term instructor and they can give you far more than just tips on scuba diving Phuket and all the other locations. The island of Phuket Thailand has so many hidden gems if people look to see where the tourists go and then head the other way. 

Dive Boats in Phuket.

 Dive Boats in Phuket.

        Here in Phuket over the last few years I have had more and more comments on the dive boats  just as much as the dive sites. We all know the diving here in Phuket is some of the best in the world   what with the warm water all year round and so many sheltered spots to dive no matter what the   weather does.  So what is the difference between the multitude of dive companies and dive centers?? 

 The 2 main differences are the dive boats and the instructors. There are many good instructors on the island too who have vast experience and excellent knowledge. However the best ones are the ones are the instructors that still have the passion and want to go diving rather than the ones who see it as another day at work but its still better than an office job.

     The main difference that can make or break a day is the boat.  As I said all dive centers go to the same dive spots but what makes the difference is how you get there and how relaxed you are when you begin your dive. Some companies have smaller, slower boats with wooden benches to sit on.  They are nice and cheap and get you to the dive sites if some what behind everyone else and with a numb bum. There are faster ones which pack everyone and their dog on to cover the cost of the fuel to run at faster speeds. Both have good points and bad ones. 

What I have been repeatedly been told is the best way to dive is on a comfortable boat where the skipper and tour leader use their brains. The best boats have a large saloon that can hold everyone in comfort during the scattered storms of low season. They have a large open shaded area to eat during the heat of summer and a sun deck for those nutters that still feel the need too bake themselves further. The boat must have a chef onboard to cook a good breakfast on the way to the first dive site so everyone has energy for the day. We must have a good selection of both western and Thai food for lunch along with afternoon tea {pancakes with banana, mango, chocolate or maple sauce) just incase you feel a bit peckish  before dinner. 

The tour leader and skipper need to be able to think and if one dive site is busy then move to the next one which is empty then move back to the first one when everyone else has moved on. Tides and currents must be taken into account as they are not the same everyday, so the order of dive sites can not remain the same as the enjoyment of some dive sites can be lost in stronger current where on other sites current can help as it means less finning. 

   Now take all of the above factors into account and you should get a perfect day (weather permitting) as this something we still can not control but with a bit of thought the weather should not impact too much on the day if you have the right boat. Who cares about a bit or rain on the way out if you have sausage, beans, eggs, toast and tea or coffee to get through. A quick lunchtime shower when you have your Spag Bol, Pasta Carbonara, Pad Thai or Thai Green Chicken Curry. Then mix this with an experienced Instructor who is there because he or she wants to be there. Wants to meet new people and most of all wants to make sure you have a good day too. Then just for good measure add the warm water, stunning dive sites

and the huge variety of marine creatures on offer. Then what do you get Diving in Phuket with Thailand Divers. Dont believe us then just check trip advisor. From 1st time diver to people with 1,000s of dives under their belt along with dive professionals from around the world all cant be wrong. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter or talk to us live on tawk.to  to get all the latest from the greatest all year round dive center.