Similians during Feb

[Born2Dive]

Hi everybody!

I'll be going down to Phuket during the 3rd wk of Feb and spent around a week or so there. I'm hoping to find a good/reliable/worth my money/fun LDS that can give me a good week of diving at the similians. This will be my first time going to Phuket to dive, thus i'm quite 'sotong' (clueless):silly: as to the best company. Also i decided to go for the LDS there as i think it will be cheaper than booking the trip from my own LDS. So i'm looking for suggestions/experiences/stories regarding the following;

1) Good reliable LDS to bring me to the similians. They should not be too costly too. I want it to be a LOB trip too.
2) Dive sites that I must visit even if it causes a bout of the bends...(joking) Any special marine critters that i can hope to see?
3) Accomodations that are nice n cheap, needs only basic things. Will spend more time playing around.
4) Oh yah,... is Feb a good time to dive in the Similians in the first place?? If not, any other nice places that is around Phuket?

Erm,... I think that is about all i can think of,...

Well, i'll thank you in advance for any suggestions/recomendations. Here's wishing everyone another Happy New Diving Year!! :biggrinje

Cheers!! :boozer:

 

[stevenl]

February is an excellent time, with a good chance of seeing manta's and whalesharks. There have been plenty of manta's already this year, whalesharks not yet in the Similans as far as I know.There is plenty of choice of liveaboards, the only thing is there have been a lot of prebookings this year, so there still are possibillities, but the choice will be limited.

Most basic accommodation you will find in Kata, where there are also plenty of diveshops, amongst others mine. I really do advice you to book in advance though.

The nicest trips take 4 days, and take you to Similans, Koh Bon. Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. Spend 2 more days (and more money) and also Hin Daeng can be included in the trip (where we have seen whalesharks).

Have fun,
Steven

 

[Born2Dive]

Hi Steven!
Thanks for the reply.
Was wondering, when you say book in advance, would one mth be adequate?
Next, if i were to spend say five days on a LOB trip, how many dives can i get to do and at around what price? Could i like get an itenary, for a five day trip? Then i can compare. =)
Would you rather PM me these info? Or maybe email if preferrable?

Cheers!

 

[ssra30]

Hi Steven!

Next, if i were to spend say five days on a LOB trip, how many dives can i get to do and at around what price? Could i like get an itenary, for a five day trip? Then i can compare. =)

Cheers!

Check out www.panunee.com and http://www.diveguide.com/aquaone/index.htm .
I think Panuee and Aqua One are some of the best live aboard boats in Thailand currently. They are quite expensive but many other lesser boats are also trying to charge similar prices so at least you will get some idea of how much you should pay, given the facility on the boat etc.

Many of my friends and I will be on the Panunee for a trip to Burma Bank the third week of February.

you should be able to do 4 dives a day on most live aboard. Check how many divers they are taking on each boat. Panunee is a little over 30m with 20 divers, Aqua One is a bit smaller with 16 divers, many other smaller wooden boats will try to pack as many if not more on the boats which can be quite uncomfortable.

 

[orangeBloke]

I was looking at liveaboards to the Similans recently and narrowed it down to the junk http://www.thejunk.com and the Mermaid I http://www.atlantis-asia.com/liveaboards/Mermaid 1/

I've gone with Mermaid-I as a local operator was giving a great deal on it. Mermaid-II is also not a bad boat so might be worth considering

 

[Born2Dive]

I was looking at liveaboards to the Similans recently and narrowed it down to the junk http://www.thejunk.com and the Mermaid I http://www.atlantis-asia.com/liveaboards/Mermaid 1/

I've gone with Mermaid-I as a local operator was giving a great deal on it. Mermaid-II is also not a bad boat so might be worth considering

ok... thanks. I'll check them out.

 

[Born2Dive]

Hi,
Juz wondering, could i have shouts of some good dive operators that I should check out based on your experience or hearsay? Like that I it could narrow the search.

Next, anybody had any experience with these 2 LOB, MV LE Mahe and MV West Coast Explorer?

Thanks.

 

[DORSETBOY]

on experience I'd go for kingfisher divers out of phuket. Great boat and crew who know all the best dive sites.

 

[whitehead]

on experience I'd go for kingfisher divers out of phuket. Great boat and crew who know all the best dive sites.

Jean has four boats now, the kingfisher 1, 2, 3 and 4. I am not sure if 4 is actually operating just yet but from what he told me it will be a luxurious liveaboard. Jean is a freind and I have always enjoyed his humour, love for diving, great food. I have'nt spoken to him for a couple of months but I think KF1 is now moored at the Similans and he takes you out to the boat on the high speed cats (KF2 and KF3) - this is definitely worth considering because the Cats are operating out of Patong - so the time and messing about it saves you over the normal regime of a trip to Tap Lamu or an overnighter to the Sims is quite a boon.

 

[Albion]

Hi everybody!

I'll be going down to Phuket during the 3rd wk of Feb and spent around a week or so there. I'm hoping to find a good/reliable/worth my money/fun LDS that can give me a good week of diving at the similians. This will be my first time going to Phuket to dive, thus i'm quite 'sotong' (clueless):silly: as to the best company. Also i decided to go for the LDS there as i think it will be cheaper than booking the trip from my own LDS. So i'm looking for suggestions/experiences/stories regarding the following;

1) Good reliable LDS to bring me to the similians. They should not be too costly too. I want it to be a LOB trip too.
2) Dive sites that I must visit even if it causes a bout of the bends...(joking) Any special marine critters that i can hope to see?
3) Accomodations that are nice n cheap, needs only basic things. Will spend more time playing around.
4) Oh yah,... is Feb a good time to dive in the Similians in the first place?? If not, any other nice places that is around Phuket?

Erm,... I think that is about all i can think of,...

Well, i'll thank you in advance for any suggestions/recomendations. Here's wishing everyone another Happy New Diving Year!! :biggrinje

Cheers!! :boozer:

Why not try
http://whitemanta.com/
Operator is from singapore and boat is based down here for summer season.
http://whitemanta.com/trips.php