Phuket -3 Day Liveaboard to Similans/ Koh Bon or Day Trips

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San Diego
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I will be visiting Phuket for about 6 to 7 days in about 3 weeks and I am still unsure how I want to go diving. I have 3-4 days of my itinerary dedicated to diving. Unfortunately, I'm on a tight budget since I've been traveling solo throughout Asia since August. I'm debating between a liveaboard or 3 days of dive day trips leaving from Phuket.

Since I am advanced certified, I am interested in a 3 Day liveaboard to spots like the Similans, Koh Bon or Richelieu Rock. However, I am a bit weary of the price tag due to my budget. Most of the trips cost well over 500 USD with rental gear. I also heard it is not the best season to see manta rays and whale sharks. Is the trip still worth it? I recently went to Bali and Komodo. How does the diving in the Similans and Richelieu Rock compare?

If a liveaboard is not worthwhile, how are the days trips to local dive spots like Shark Point and King Cruiser Wreck? Is 3 days of day trips too much? I don't want to get too bored with the sites too fast.
 
AFAIK, Phuket day trips cost about 4000 baht now, with equipment rental on top of that, and you only get two dives. 3-day liveaboards start at around 18000-20000 baht, inclusive of marine park fees and equipment rental, but you save money on hotels and food, so it may end up very similar or even slightly cheaper - and you'll get four dives per day rather than two.
 
I go to Thailand about once a year and always try to hit the Similans if in season. No question I would do the liveaboard if it was in the budget. IMO the diving off Phuket is not in the same league as the Similan/Surins. Its good but the Similans are better and as previously mentioned you will get double the dives. Also mantas can often be seen from early Dec on at places like Koh Bon and Koh Tachai. I'll be in Phuket in Feb for a Similans liveaboard and the southern sites myself. Cant wait!!
 
AFAIK, Phuket day trips cost about 4000 baht now, with equipment rental on top of that, and you only get two dives. 3-day liveaboards start at around 18000-20000 baht, inclusive of marine park fees and equipment rental, but you save money on hotels and food, so it may end up very similar or even slightly cheaper - and you'll get four dives per day rather than two.
Standard is 3 dives for daytrips from Phuket.
 

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