Andaman Scuba Similan Liveaboard

[pakman]

Anybody have experience with Andaman Scuba based in Phuket? Like to hear your experience with them. Got some friends who are booked on their New Year's Similan Safari and I might join.

 

[stevenl]

Good boat, experienced dive staff. The only thing is, they cater mainly to French, so it could happen that all the other guests on the boat are French speaking. And that would be a limitation to the liveaboard experience.

 

[pakman]

thanks for the feedback.. FRENCHies? hmm... just kiddin... Well it can't be worse than a boat load of Hong Kong chinese... Well it's only a six day trip, so I guess I can handle that for 6 days... well at least I would expect the food to be good... or at least they'll serve a decent cup of coffee... Will be interesting to see how they handle the Aussie couple who are already booked for that trip...

Steve, since you're based in Phuket, do you recommend any good similan liveaboards in Phuket that might have some Japanese speaking DM's but still has a good mix of Asian/European/American divers. probably wishful thinking... A friend from Tokyo might join the trip but she only speaks Japanese. I could do the translating, but it might add to her comfort having a japanese speaking DM.

 

[stevenl]

Most of the boats catring to the japanses market only have Japanese on board. I know a couple of boats with a Japanese speaking DM, but really can not call them good liveaboards.

I think it might be an option if your friend indicates that she would love to come along, but will really need a Japanese DM. Some of the shops will be willing to send a Japanese speaking DM along.

 

[Kim]

You obviously know a lot more than I do Steven but what you said is also what I was told last year when I enquired about Japanese groups. Basically there seemed to be a few Japanese DM's who worked freelance and could be brought onto the boats if the need arose. FWIW that was from the Mermaid 2 people.

 

[stevenl]

Yes, that is exactly what I said.

 

[pakman]

ah Mermaid... been hearing good things about them... I probably would have gone with them but the problem is that my aussie friends are already committed to Andaman Scuba. Anyways, thanks guys, I suspected the boats/ tours would be somewhat segregated by the non-english speaking nationalities they cater to. If my Japanese friend joins, I don't think she'll mind me translating (I'll just have to refresh my Japanese on fish names!). Surprised there aren't more Japanese speaking thai DM's in Phuket considering how they like to hit on Japanese girls on the beach (had to beat them off with a stick on one trip with an old gf to phuket years ago... )

 

[hallboy]

Adamanscuba has an exellent reputation, and effectivly cater a lot with frenchies ( i m french ) i ve read at least 30 trip reports about them and probabluy something like 28 were good to enthousiast.

 

[pakman]

thanks hallboy for the feedback. Unfortunately just found out I'm gonna have to be in the office that week after xmas... grrr...

 

[Batfish]

Never mind, Christmas is not the best time to come anyway. So busy, everything full, all prices at peak rates. Better to come March-April, out of peak season, hot weather, calm seas and the best chance for sighting big fish.

Enjoy the office!