Not Long Now till the Similan islands Opens for a Great New Season.

        
Well hasn't time flown by here on Phuket Thailand. It only seems like a couple of weeks ago that I was writing about all the things that were seen by everyone in the Similan islands and that was already 6 months since the last people left. This year if you are planning on diving in phuket between 16th of October and the 15th of may then you really should take a serious look at an over night or a 3 day  2 night trip to the Similans or even up to the world famous Richelieu rock. I can promise you will be talking about it for years to come. Many divers come to Thailand  so they can have a day diving Richelieu Rock. This is one of the top 10 sites in the world. A stunning horseshoe shape series of pinnacles rising 60 meters from the sea floor, covered in purple coral. Manta Rays soaring over them like huge eagles silhouetted against the tropical sky. Whale sharks drifting by feeding on the plankton created by the pinnacles. Thousands of species of fish and marine creatures cover the dive site as it is a huge dive site alone in the blue.

             However good a dive review is in a book or how famous always listen to the locals. The location all the local guides and those of us who live here for some time all have their best spots.   Koh Bon, Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai or any of the other hundred divesites.  Just by going on a Similan liveaboard is a great adventure in itself. A few days just out on the calm blue ocean with some of the best diving in the world and all you need to do is jump in the water four times a  day and let the boat crew do the rest. The best dive sites also vary as the seasons change  and the guides on the boat know from week to week what the best spots are or just on what ares are diving well at the moment. Some months one area will be great and then the month after may be a different area will be good. Scuba diving in Phuket has so many great locations that there is always some great diving.  Similan diving is diving at its best. 

Tachai Reef is again a great dive from 20 meters in depth up to 5 meters. Great corals both hard and soft, more leopard sharks, sting rays, Barracuda, Bat fish, hawks bill turtles and yes we can get the Manta and Whale shark here too. This is located on the from the south west corner up to the north east end of the island. Koh Tachai lies alone some 20 kms north of Koh Bon and a similar distance south of the Surin islands.

So what to do in Phuket to get to the Similan islands? There are many Similan islands liveaboards These trips are open to anyone with open water license or  above. There are several boats and cruises that can cater for almost every date and budget. We have trips departing every day so you can go overnight or stay a month. You can go on a set cruise or we can take you out by speed boat the day you choose and then you can stay for as many nights as you choose and bring you back by speed boat on the day you wish. We even have a Super Yacht for private charters. A la Carte chef, hostess, state rooms, captain, and staff all ready to take you where you want when you want. You will be the envy of everyone. Again one day or 10 days the choice is yours. Diving in Thailand does not get better than a three day trip to the Similans and Richelieu rock.

So next time you are in Phuket scuba diving or even thinking about scuba diving in phuket then take a peek at the similan islands. You will not regret it. Your only regret will be that you never went sooner, could not stay longer and did not have a good enough camera. But not to worry the Similan islands national park is open till mid May so plenty of time to plan your trip to Phuket Thailand or even have an early taster now then return to the similan island liveaboard later in the year for a longer trip.  Dont be jealous,  join us. Now it is even possible to get your PADI Open Water certification on a Similan liveaboard trip. Getting there can not be easier. Just pop in to and good Phuket dive shop like Thailand Divers that has ben around for many years as they will have the best selection to suit your needs both for dates and length or trip. Just ask about their Phuket liveaboard trips and they should be able to get you on one departing almost every day of the season. The Similan islands national park opens on the 15th of October and closes again on the 15th of May. So any date between these is perfect to experience Thailand diving at its best. Welcome to the Similan islands. 

Amazing Snorkeling in Phuket Thailand With Thailand Divers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://www.thailand-divers.com/

    One Week till the similan islands                              Opens for a New Season.

             Well hasn't time flown by here on phuket thailand. It only seems like a couple of weeks ago that I was writing about all the things that were seen by everyone in the similan islands and that was already 6 months since the last people left. This year if you are planning on diving in phuket between 16th of October and the 15th of may then you really should take a serious look at an over night or a 3 day trip to the Similan islands or even up to the world famous Richelieu rock. I can promise you will be talking about it for years to come. Many divers will talk about the world famous Richelieu Rock. This is one of the top 10 sights in the world. A stunning horseshoe shape series of pinnacles rising 60 meters from the sea floor, covered in purple coral. Manta Rays soaring over them like huge eagles silhouetted against the tropical sky. Whale sharks drifting by feeding on the plankton created by the pinnacles. Thousands of species of fish and marine creatures cover the dive site as it is a huge dive site alone in the blue. 

             However good a dive review is in a book or how famous always listen to the locals. The location all the local guides and those of us who live here for some time will be talking about is the island of Koh Tachai.  Koh Tacha consists of two good dive sites. Tachai pinnacle and Tachai reef. This is perfect as it means that people of all levels and abilities can dive here. The pinnacle is more dome shaped and has almost perfectly laid out coral gardens with white sandy floors partitioned by smooth rock walls. This makes for a great dive even in the stronger currents that can pass through. Just making your way along the coral gardens from end to end then over the wall to the next one and you can stay below the rock walls for protection. Overhead there are often huge schools of Barracuda. Then just a 50 meter swim north from pinnalce 1 to pinnacle 2 we can ofter get Leopard sharks on the sandy sea floor Barracuda in the middle and Manta Ray and Whale sharks overhead. This is a dive site could have beed designed by a top gardener and then had divers pick their best creatures and had them all put there too. 

Tachai Reef is again a great dive from 20 meters in depth up to 5. great corals both hard and soft, more leopard sharks, sting rays, Barracuda, Bat fish, hawks bill turtles and yes we can get the Manta and Whale shark here too. This is located on the from the south west corner up to the north east end of the island. Koh Tachai lies alone some 20 kms north of Koh Bon and a similar distance south of the Surin islands.

 These trips are open to anyone with open water license or  above. There are several boats and cruises that can cater for almost every date and budget. We have trips departing every day so you can go overnight or stay a month. You can go on a set cruise or we can take you out by speed boat the day you choose and then you can stay for as many nights as you choose and bring you back by speed boat on the day you wish. We even have a Super Yacht for private charters. A la Carte chef, hostess, state rooms, captain, and staff all ready to take you where you want when you want. You will be the envy of everyone. Again one day or 10 days the choice is yours. 



So next time you are in phuket scuba diving or even thinking about scuba diving in phuket then take a peek at the similan islands. You will not regret it. Your only regret will be that you never went sooner, could not stay longer and did not have a good enough camera. But not to worry the similan islands national park is open till mid May so plenty of time to plan your trip to phuket thailand or even have an early taster now then return to the similan islands later in the year for a longer trip.  Dont be jealous, join us.

Thailand Divers in Phuket Thailand Has Been Very Busy

Thailand Divers in Phuket Thailand

       Yes Thailand Divers in Phuket Thailand has had a very busy low season making big changes. The number one center for diving in phuket has made some great changes. Firstly we have a brand new shop with plenty of new stock. Not only limited to one brand but are dealers in mares, Scuba pro, Aqua Lung, Suunto, Cressi, Deep Blue and Ocean Dynamics to name but a few. If the item you want is not in stock then it can now be ordered before 1pm and it will arrive that day. If ordered after 1 pm then it will arrive the following day. All colour and sizes. That goes for prescription masks too. 

Not only the shop and the stock that have been improved but the diving tours too. We still cover the best and most popular sites like Phi Phi, King Cruiser, Shark Point, Racha Noi and Racha Yai as three dive day trips. We are still running liveaboards to the Similan islands departing EVERY day from 15th October till the 15th May 2016 so you dont need to plan your holiday around the liveaboard. You can plan your liveaboard to fit your holiday. The trip can be overnight, 2 nights, 3 nights or as many nights as you choose. Instead of the boat returning after each trip we keep the boat out there and just bring you out by speed boat to the main liveaboard boat on the first morning and bring you back on the afternoon of the day you want to return. We can even do day trips this way. 

However one of the best trips available is the three day three night trip to the Southern Islands of Hin Daeng, Hin Muang and Ko Haa. These are the "Similan islands" of the south. The water as clear, the coral even better, the Manta Rays and Whale Sharks too. There are Leopard Sharks, Black Tips, Eagle Rays, Turtles, Sea horses and a thousand other things but the one thing you wont find is 20 other liveaboards full of people. The diving is as good except you may if you are lucky, not see another liveaboard for the whole trip.

The things that are now available dont just include diving in phuket. We offer so much more. Snorkeling tours to locations away from the crowds too as well as the more popular ones. Phi Phi Bamboo island as always, the three Khai islands, Hong island, Chicken island, Krabi, similan islands, Koh Tachai. Stunning reefs and beaches to explore, tropical island hoping in an island paradise away from the masses. 

Now the big new thing is all the tours. Then to end the trip off may be a sunset dinner cruise in the stunning Phang Nga bay or horse riding along the empty beaches and cooling off by a canter in the surf. Get away from the beach for a day or two.

 Take a safari into the heart of Phuket and canoe in the mangroves,  jeep up into the mountains, elephant trek through the jungle, Ox cat ride to a traditional Thai village and a rice farm, rubber tree tapping and Thai cooking.  White water rafting in the mountains,  Sea canoeing in the limestone caves in Phang Nga national park, ATV tours,  a trip round Khao Sok national park, big game fishing and of course the 2 most popular as always James Bond island and Phi Phi Bamboo island thailand.

If you really want some peace and quite  many of the tours are available now as private charters. This way you make the plan, you set the start time and return times. You can avoid the crowds and go to your own private beach. We even have a super yacht for charter for that really special day or overnight.  You will be the envy of all turning up

Thailand Divers really is a one stop holiday planner right up to the hotel too. The new shop is located just 5 mins from the center of Patong but the street itself (Nanai Road) is quiet enough with excellent resturants, bars to relax in after a great day out. The shop itself is located in what used to be the resturant of a very nice hotel called the Album Loft. Very comfortable and some rooms with their own kitchens, nice pool to cool off in. Not only is Thailand Divers the top dive center in Phuket but could soon be the top holiday center too. 

The new shop still has the same instructors and is still English owned and managed as it always has been. We still offer the best diving in phuket, the best boats. We just thought that this low season that we can offer more than just diving. We can bring the same level of service to so many more things as well. So now when you come to phuket thailand you can really get a taste for the whole of Thailand rather than just phuket scuba diving. Thailand Divers now is one stop shop for all your holiday fun on phuket thailand.