Advanced Open Water in Thailand - any suggestions, please?

[Sandpipa]

Hi all,

I'm planning to do a liveaboard (probably out of Phuket) in March, but am thinking of spending a few days on the beach first and doing my AOW before I board.

I'm thinking Phuket, Khao Lak or Krabi area...

I'd like somewhere relatively quiet, and has to be pretty!

Please can anyone recommend any good dive outfits and/or packages including accommodation?

I've already trawled previous threads and picked up some good ideas, so thanks for those!

Would also appreciate any info on time and effort to get from Krabi or Khao Lak to Phuket.

Many thanks!!

Sandpipa.

 

[limbo]

Bubble Junky works on Koh Lanta, it may be worthwhile sending him a PM.

 

[drewdude]

I'm heading over in Feb for a live aboard. Spent some time doing some diving in Phuket back in 2006. Patong Beach has most of the dive shops/training. Sunrise divers is on Phuket down by Karon beach. From what I remember Karon beach is alot quieter than Patong. We also spent some time in Koh Lak (about 1.5 to 2 hour drive north of Phuket). Very quiet up there. But I don't know of any dive shops/training up there. The only dive shop we saw was just a building as the tsunami did a number on it. good luck

 

[plonske]

I'm thinking Phuket, Khao Lak or Krabi area...

I'd like somewhere relatively quiet, and has to be pretty!



If you look for something quiet don't go Phuket, very, very bussy over there, high season overthere a lot off tourist and divers.

Yes, Krabi should be a good idee and Khao Lak also, easy to go on a liveaboard for the Similans Islands after your Aowd course.

:lightbulb

 

[stevenl]

If you look for something quiet don't go Phuket, very, very bussy over there, high season overthere a lot off tourist and divers.

As mentioned earlier, you really do not know Phuket Plonske. Lots of nice and quiet beaches here as well, and on top of that, March is after the peak of the high season.

 

[smartecosse]

If you look for something quiet don't go Phuket, very, very bussy over there, high season overthere a lot off tourist and divers.

Yes, Krabi should be a good idee and Khao Lak also, easy to go on a liveaboard for the Similans Islands after your Aowd course.

:lightbulb

what a load of rubbish.

If yoi stand in the middle of beach road on patong then yes it would be busy. Phuket is a large island and largely undeveloped ( so far )

There are MANY places to stay that are nice and peaceful away from the crowds yet its still only a short ride to shopping areas, nightlife etc etc

 

[Sandpipa]

Thanks all, for your replies...

...DrewDude, I've checked out Sunrise Divers and put them on my list, thanks... Please can anyone recommend any other good outfits in a reasonably quiet location to do my AOW with?

Googling around, I can see that prices seem to vary enormously for courses, with the priciest, unsurprisingly, linked to the more up-market hotels/resorts.

I guess that doesn't necessarily make them the best, though!

Cheers!

Sandpipa.

 

[plonske]

So! For me and other peoply, their are more beautiful places than only Phuket! Only a few people here can't read some negative postings about Phuket, for them their is only one place in Thailand. Very poor!

Bud keep on smiling

 

[stevenl]

So! For me and other peoply, their are more beautiful places than only Phuket!

Also for me Plonske, but your post is based on a wrong perception of Phuket.

 

[Ringo]

Sandpipa
Sunrise Divers is a good option in a pleasant relatively quiet location in Karon. They have been in operation for quite some time. Also since you want further recommendations there are many DC's on Phuket so you can check them out when you arrive. This way you can see what/who you prefer.