finbob
Contributor
This brief report is divided into three sections: Resort, Dive Sites and Liveaboard experience.
Intro
Arrived from India via KL to Phuket. Met by 'Oi" a cheery lady taxi driver. One hour later I arrived at the resort. Rested the first day, then on to the liveaboard for a 3-day back to back trip - 6-day total - to the Surin Islands and then to the Similan Islands.
I Palm Beach Resort - Highly Recommended
The resort is well run by Boby the resort manageress. Food is excellent, accommodation good with a/c and en-suite for each room. The staff attitude and helpfulness is outstanding. Will certainly return again if diving from Koah Lak. The Sea bees dive shop is on site.
II Dive Sites - 15 Dives
a) Surin islands - Good
Surin Pk is great!
b) Richelieu Rock - Outstanding!
4-dives, perhaps the best ever dive site in my limited experience. Loved every moment. Clouds of fish: Large Trigger fish, large Groupers, large Barracudas, Cuttle fish, large Morey Eels, Scorpion, Fusiliers, Sergeant Majors, Glassfish, Shrimps - It simply rained fish! The rock configurations are fascinating. I can see why this site is ranked in the global top 10. Must return!
c) Similan Islands - Good
Octopus, Turtle, Sweet Lips, Morey Eels, Scorpions, Bat Fish, Stingray etc- current moderate.
III Liveaboard - MV Genesis I
Overall a good experience, the food is outstanding and the crew excellent!
However, the boat lacked simple basic maintenance. As an example one ofthe toilets had no running water for the wash basin. There were only two toilets on the boat. Tape was on one of the a/c units and the fans were not functioning in two of the cabins. General neglect marred a rather good experience. The primary concern for me was the no shoe policy which is fine if there are no slip surfaces. However, the surface was very slippery especially going from the main deck to the upper deck via a rather steep steel ladder. I injured my legs on more than one occasion. Will not return to this boat until this reported safety issue is addressed.
Overall, the Surin & Similans are great, will certainly return especially to Richelieu!!
Hope the above helps. Finbob
Intro
Arrived from India via KL to Phuket. Met by 'Oi" a cheery lady taxi driver. One hour later I arrived at the resort. Rested the first day, then on to the liveaboard for a 3-day back to back trip - 6-day total - to the Surin Islands and then to the Similan Islands.
I Palm Beach Resort - Highly Recommended
The resort is well run by Boby the resort manageress. Food is excellent, accommodation good with a/c and en-suite for each room. The staff attitude and helpfulness is outstanding. Will certainly return again if diving from Koah Lak. The Sea bees dive shop is on site.
II Dive Sites - 15 Dives
a) Surin islands - Good
Surin Pk is great!
b) Richelieu Rock - Outstanding!
4-dives, perhaps the best ever dive site in my limited experience. Loved every moment. Clouds of fish: Large Trigger fish, large Groupers, large Barracudas, Cuttle fish, large Morey Eels, Scorpion, Fusiliers, Sergeant Majors, Glassfish, Shrimps - It simply rained fish! The rock configurations are fascinating. I can see why this site is ranked in the global top 10. Must return!
c) Similan Islands - Good
Octopus, Turtle, Sweet Lips, Morey Eels, Scorpions, Bat Fish, Stingray etc- current moderate.
III Liveaboard - MV Genesis I
Overall a good experience, the food is outstanding and the crew excellent!
However, the boat lacked simple basic maintenance. As an example one ofthe toilets had no running water for the wash basin. There were only two toilets on the boat. Tape was on one of the a/c units and the fans were not functioning in two of the cabins. General neglect marred a rather good experience. The primary concern for me was the no shoe policy which is fine if there are no slip surfaces. However, the surface was very slippery especially going from the main deck to the upper deck via a rather steep steel ladder. I injured my legs on more than one occasion. Will not return to this boat until this reported safety issue is addressed.
Overall, the Surin & Similans are great, will certainly return especially to Richelieu!!
Hope the above helps. Finbob
