Dive op recommendations in Khao Lak?

[TomGoodacre]

My girlfriend and I are newly qualified OW divers and are now totally over excited (thank you to everyone on this board that offered advice on dive ops in Koh Tao especially to Phil_TK - you were right Dive Point were brilliant)....We are now in Khao Lak and are looking to do some diving around the area (the Similans will have to wait for a little while as the credit card is beginning to suffer). Can anyone recommend a good dive op here and also any good dive sites that don't cost a fortune to get to (18m max of course :-( ).

Thanks


Tom

 

[wedivebc]

I found Sea Dragon to be a very well run operation. Although I did not do any day trips with them the 3 day live-aboard was quite reasonably priced.
Have fun. You should not miss Similan diving.

 

[hallboy]

i dove with sea dragon in December.Go with them: the 6 dm on board where all nice people.

 

[Batfish]

I would certainly recommend Similan Diving Safaris over any other. The owners Joe and Nute are real friendly folk, always ready to help. Try their web site:

www.similan-diving-safaris.com/

Or call them at 076 423470.

Happy Diving!

 

[Sami]

Here's one more vote for Sea Dragon Dive Center. I was aboard their M/V Mariner liveaboard for 3 days of Similan diving in December. Friendly staff, small groups with very knownledgeable divemasters, excellent dive briefings, comfortable boat, GREAT food... I will definitely return!

http://www.seadragondivecenter.com/

Their 3 day/3 night trip is 14,800 Baht including food and full diving gear - this is one of the cheaper liveaboards but perhaps it is still out of your budget range.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun!

 

[Batfish]

We are now in Khao Lak and are looking to do some diving around the area (the Similans will have to wait....

Well, from Khao Lak there IS only the Similan Islands. If you want to spend less, try just a day trip or overnight trip.

 

[buksida]

Thinking of going down there in April ... is Richelieu rock doable in a day or is an overnight liveaboard the only way?

 

[Batfish]

IQ divers were running some Richelieu day trips before the tsunami. You can try them...

 

[whitehead]

I did Richeliu on a day dive with IQ (last season). They were a very good outfit. Nearly lost my false teeth on the way out, a number of times, but was flat and calm on the way back and journey was a breeze. 2 hours each way. Check the waves first!!!

 

[buksida]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, will look them up when down there.