Cheap beach bungalows at Phuket???

[oxyhacker]

We are going to Thailand in December. We are torn between going to a more laid-back place like Ko Lanta, or Phuket just so we can snorkle/dive the Similans.

Looking at the accomodations for Phuket, it appears to be really big hotels and very deluxe resort bungalows, with very high (for Thailand) prices unlike most other Thai islands where there are lots of cheap funky bungalows on the beaches.

Is that because Phuket is more built up an expensive, or am I just not finding the sort of places we want?

Any info or suggestions on good places to stay would be appreciated.

 

[travelem]

Check out Khao Lak, a lot liveaboard to Similan leave form Khao Lak's pier. You can also take day trip to Similan from Khao Lak.
There are a lot of bungalows in Khao Lak.
http://www.khaolak.de

 

[stevenl]

Yes, there are cheap places in Phuket. You won't find them straight on the beach though, unless you want to go far up north. This has the disadvantage that you're further away from the departure place of the diveboars.

In general I would advice to go to Kata Beach, nice and relaxed atmosphere with plenty of choice in hotels and restaurants, without the hussle from Patong Beach. In high season you can find a nice (= clean) hotel with aircon at appx. 500 Baht.

You can do daytrips or longer trips to Similans from Phuket. Khao Lak is closer to Similans, but much more expensive and in my opinion not as nice. Check out www.sea-bees-kata.com

 

[oxyhacker]

Many thanks - that's the sort of info we are looking for.

Any comments on liveaboards at the Similans? My understanding is that many of them act more as floating guesthouses, with customers being ferried out by other boats, and staying for only a night or two night. Is this something we should consider doing? Any recommendations which?

 

[stevenl]

Yes, there are 2 such boats at the moment. Prices 8500/8900 for the first night and 2 days of diving, extra nights appx. 3000 Baht. One of the boats tends to be overloaded, the other one I would personally recommend.

check out www.sea-bees-kata.com

 

[The Hamburger]

If they are in the water yet and running Kingfisher diving have two catamaran speed boats which they are going to use for day trips to the similans.

I think they will run out of Patong so there is no need for the long drive up to Thap Lamu.

Probably the most convenient way of getting good diving on a limited schedule.

http://www.kingfisherdiving.com

 

[The Hamburger]

I'm not sure why I got it into my head that you were on a tight schedule!

 

[travelem]

ScubaCat and South Siam Divers in Phuket also have a liveabaord stationing in Similan. Both are good but those mooring in Similan won't go to Surin. Some of other liveabaords go to both Surin and Similan.

http://www.scubacat.com/
http://www.southsiamdivers.com/similan_daytrips.html

You can also stay a few days in those mooring liveaboard and join a real liveabords for other few days.

If you prefer more laid-back place, Khao Lak is a proper place than Phuket. It is also cheaper to stay in Khao Lak, closer to Similan. Thus you spend more time diving on board than crusing from Phuket to Similan. However, some Phuket liveaboards will bus you to the Khao Lak pier's and go on board there. Many dive shops in Khao Lak alos offer day trips to Similan.

http://www.khao-lak-fun-divers.com/
http://www.sub-aqua-khaolak.com/daytrips.htm
http://www.similan-divers.com/index.htm

If you stay in Phuket, Sea World also is another great dive operators. Small dviers per diver ratio, safe, professional and friendly.
http://www.seaworld-phuket.com/