Heading to Thailand, Maybe Phuket, Need Suggestions

[squib]

Like the title says, we're heading to Thailand during the busy Xmas/new year season for a couple weeks to do some sightseeing and diving. We were thinking of spending a week or so on Phuket for the diving part and need some recommendations on where to stay, where to dive, and who to dive with.

The BF and I are PADI advanced certified with 30 or so dives each. We're primarily interested in dives with maximum scenery, not challenging conditions (ie. super deep, or super fast current), not that we don't do them. We were also contemplating a shorter duration live aboard, say 3 or so days, if the sites warrant it (plus we have never been on one before).

As for accommodation, we're looking for something moderate that is a bit more quiet.

Lastly, I assume that its best to bring our own gear. At least our regs + comps...

TIA

 

[smartecosse]

accommodation wise if you are after quiet look at karon/ kata or rawai areas rather than patong. just get a tuk tuk there for the night life etc and then tuk tuk away from the mayhem back to the quiet area

massive choice of boats at that time of year, both liveaboard and day boats. Liveaboards fill up quick at that time of year so get bookings in early.

my choice would be
one day hin daeng & hin muang
one day phi phi
one day king cruiser, shark point, koh doc mai
4 days similans & richilieu rock & koh Bon

that about covers all the dive areas and shouldnt break the bank. big variationson costs and quality of liveaboards in the similans. make sure you do your research not just take the "recommendation" of someone who makes a commission etc.

have fun

:scubadive

 

[stevenl]

In general, the rental gear is of good quality here. It is of course more comfortable to dive with your own gear, but if weights/space is a problem, you really don't have to log it around. And for rental prices of about 600 Baht per day, there is also no need to log your own stuff around.

Most of the divesites here are not that challenging, with the exception of the King Cruiser wreck, because of the depth and often stronger currents there. Also Hin Daeng and Hin Muang you will find quite often strong currents.

At the Similans you will find sites with more current and depth, but there are always relaxed sites close to the more challenging sites, so everybody can get what he wants there.
An overview of liveaboard boats you will find at the Similans page of Thailand Liveaboards.

For daytrips I would recommend to start with relaxed dives at Racha Yai, Bid Nai and Bida Nok are nice divesites, and also Anemone Reef, Shark Point and Koh Doc Mai have lots to offer.
More information on these sites at this page.

Lots of hotels and other accommodation here. I would recommend Kata, simply because it has a very nice beach, everything one needs without the hassle from Patong.

Phuket hotel information.

Have fun.

 

[McCDiver]

I had a couple of amazing dives at Kohdoc Mai. A bit of a drift but nice current drift you around the island, very relaxing. Leopard sharks, moray eels, a beautiful small cave with schools of fish inside and sea horses at the top, and a even a school of barracuda at the safety stop. I got vis at 20m in end of Oct. Good luck!

 

[scottfiji]

stevenl (who just posted) is a great resource to use in Phuket, I used his shop when I was there in April.

scott

 

[OnTheSpot]

First thing to say - Christmas / New Year - time to think about booking ahead.

Where to stay? Well, Phuket has a huge amount of variety. Be warned that peak season prices can singe your hair. If you want quiet, generally avoid Patong Beach, but all beaches will be busy at that time. I like Kamala beach or Kata Noi or Naithon. Karon is long and hot, but has a good choice of mid price resorts. If you're doing a liveaboard, transfers from hotels just about anywhere will be included. You could even consider staying in Khao Lak and booking a boat that departs from there such as the Queen Scuba. Not much choice for 3 day liveaboards. 4 - 6 days is the norm, and if you want short you lose out on choice.

The Similan Islands dive sites are generally not hard, but there are deep sites (you don't have to dive deep but the depth is there nonetheless) and you can get some interesting currents. You may also wish to consider some dives at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. There are some day trips down there from Phuket.

Some more Information:

Liveaboards

Similan Islands

Hin Daeng

My Phuket Blog

 

[SassyScubaGal]

Exciting! I was actually in Thailand 2 years ago during the exact time... We were the first boat out after the tsunami. Did the 4-day live-aboard on the West Coast Explorer (through West Coast Divers in Phuket). Fab trip... Crew is awesome & Holgar (the instructor) is ultra safe & a first-class diver. Great food, scenery, etc. The only thing i will warn you about is the fact that it's not the Ritz. You can't beat the price-- I think the whole trip was under $500-- but the boat is bare-bones. Comfortable, but bare bones meaning shared head, small deck area, no "sun deck." But I would definately recommend.

 

[Bowmouth]

I had a couple of amazing dives at Kohdoc Mai. A bit of a drift but nice current drift you around the island, very relaxing. Leopard sharks, moray eels, a beautiful small cave with schools of fish inside and sea horses at the top, and a even a school of barracuda at the safety stop. I got vis at 20m in end of Oct. Good luck!

Sounds like you had a very good day indeed at Ko Doc Mai. I've dived there with zero vis, stiff current and 12 daytrip dive boats above my head.

 

[stevenl]

Yes, when it is wavy, the boats will go to Koh Doc Mai for shelter, so you can be unlucky. Vis there tends to be a bit less than at Shark Point and Anemone Reef. The wall is lovely though, with lots of soft corals, all kinds of small life inside the cracks, and all kinds of fish passing by (if you can see them) .

 

[OnTheSpot]

Koh Doc Mai can be a real mixed bag. Depending on conditions you can love it or hate it. I think the first couple of times I dived there I hated it, but after a dive seeing mating leopard sharks I loved it! Most of the time, vis will not be great, but then you keep your nose to the wall and look for critters.

Koh Doc Mai