Getting Back Into It

[Buadhai]

I've done a number of live aboard trips out of Phuket to the Similans, Surin, Mergui, etc. But all that stopped when I retired (to Korat in 2005) and could no longer afford luxuries like diving. Luckily, my financial position has improved and I'm looking to do another trip.

My last live aboard was in 2003 on the Mermaid II. I continued to dive through 2006 and have recently done a few day trips.

I'd like to do four or five days on a moderately priced boat. I'm looking at either the Mermaid II, again, or the Explorer IX. As an old git I need a moderate amount of comfort and, since this is a return after a long absence, a crew that is attentive.

Suggestions and advice would be appreciated.

 

[Quero]

Buadhai, you are talking about two boats with quite different levels of comfort. Explorer is a budget-class boat accommodating 20 guests in cabins with communal heads, and of course you've been on MMII and know that she is one of our top-end vessels, but perhaps you didn't know that she was refitted so that most cabins have their own head. Nitrox is also available on board MMII. Comparing these two boats is sort of like comparing a limo to a tuk-tuk!

There are really quite a lot of boats and many comfortable ones with great crews. It's possible to put together a short list based on your preferences of dates, budget, and ameneties. If I were working with you, since you are specifically looking for comfort I'd suggest that you omit the budget boats from your list. In addition to Mermaid, I'd be looking at availability on (among others) Queen Scuba, Pawara, Nautica, Colona VI, Oktavia....

 

[Buadhai]

Thanks. I didn't realize MMII had been upgraded. I do have an Enriched Air cert, so having Nitrox is a big plus. I will think on this a bit and get back to you via your web site.

 

[Buadhai]

Thanks to Quero I've sorted a live aboard for late March.

Now I'm trying to figure out where to dive on a more regular basis. I live in Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima). The closest beach area is Chonburi (Pattaya) which is six hours by bus. I've only dived the Pattaya area a few times (first in 1988, most recently last December) and it's always been, well, a disappointment. Poor to middling visibility and not that much to see. After my last trip I concluded that it was not worth two six hour bus rides and two nights in a hotel to get in two so-so dives.

To be fair, every time I've gone to Pattaya I've lucked out with poor weather so plans to dive the far islands or the wrecks down south have turned in to having to settle for near-island dives.

I'd appreciate suggestions from people with more Eastern Seaboard diving experience.

TIA

 

[lord khram]

You are exactly right about Pattaya, definitely not worth the ammount of travelling you are talking about, other than Koh Rin North rock and the Khram Wreck, (current permitting) most dives at the far islands are really little better than the near islands.
If you have never dived at Samae San (about 30 km south from Pattaya near Sattahip) that might be worth a try.
I use a Thai run boat (Ray Divers) despite what a lot of the Pattaya shops might tell you, their service is excellent and less than half the price of the Pattaya shops. Sometimes the boat can be busy at weekends mainly with Thai customers from Bangkok. I have always been treated well by staff and the other customers.
Dont expect too much from the diving, it definitely is not Similan standards, but it is certainly a big step up from Pattaya diving and much nicer surroundings above water to go with it.

 

[Quero]

Thanks to Quero I've sorted a live aboard for late March.

Now I'm trying to figure out where to dive on a more regular basis. I live in Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima). The closest beach area is Chonburi (Pattaya) which is six hours by bus. I've only dived the Pattaya area a few times (first in 1988, most recently last December) and it's always been, well, a disappointment. Poor to middling visibility and not that much to see. After my last trip I concluded that it was not worth two six hour bus rides and two nights in a hotel to get in two so-so dives.

To be fair, every time I've gone to Pattaya I've lucked out with poor weather so plans to dive the far islands or the wrecks down south have turned in to having to settle for near-island dives.

I'd appreciate suggestions from people with more Eastern Seaboard diving experience.

TIA

Well, I'm certainly not a specialist in that part of Thailand, but I have done enough diving over there to have sampled different areas, and I can read a map

Looking at this map/distance calculator, it appears that you could travel to Trat and dive around the Koh Chang area without spending many more hours in travel. (Though I have no idea how long it would take by bus.) I can't say that the diving in the Moo Koh Chang NP is outstanding, but it's okay, and certainly better than Pattaya reef diving.

 

[Arizona]

Having dived a fair amount and instructed in the area (Sameasan/Pattaya), I would second LK's recommendation. Read the tide charts as current can be a big factor if you dive the Hardeep. Pick the days that are optimum for a nice dive first of the day as to avoid a reverse profile. There are several good sites in the area despite what some post. The coral was bleached but still worth it, especially if you dive in small groups away from the pack.

Tide Chart for Sattahip

EANX would also be good for your personal situation. Lugging tanks can be a pain, so you may want to contact a dive operator such as Mermaid's that can provide transport to and from Pattaya along with EANx tanks you need not lug around yourself. You may pay a little more, but the ease of things will be worth it. PM if you have further questions in that particular area.

 

[lord khram]

I can't say that the diving in the Moo Koh Chang NP is outstanding, but it's okay, and certainly better than Pattaya reef diving.

Yes agreed, far from the best diving you will get, but infinitely better than the Pattaya sites, and as I said about Samaesan the general environment is much more pleasant also.
Koh Chang is one of my favourite spots in Thailand. As for dive shops Scuba evolution have always looked after me well.

 

[Buadhai]

Thanks to all. I have done dives in the vicinity of Koh Chang. Maybe that's a better shot for me. Transport there is less convenient, but a two or three day trip would probably make the long journey worthwhile.

 

[Buadhai]

On the bus from Korat to Koh Chang now. Six hours so far. Probably two more hours on the bus, 40 minutes on the ferry and another half hour in a taxi to my hotel across from the dive shop. Not a fun trip. I think it would be faster and easier to take a bus to Bangkok and fly to Phuket!

Next time...