Question What are the areas of interest surrounding Phuket?

[Germie]

I have not that good experience with seabees, they were very very expensive and offered the same 3 dives to Phiphi as a Russian Company offered, but for way less money. The Russian company did their job very well. If you can save 30 euro a day, that is a lot.

 

[Centrals]

I have not that good experience with seabees, they were very very expensive and offered the same 3 dives to Phiphi as a Russian Company offered, but for way less money. The Russian company did their job very well. If you can save 30 euro a day, that is a lot.

I would rather have any national taking my money than russian unless the money is for the reparation of Ukraine.

 

[Germie]

I would rather have any national taking my money than russian unless the money is for the reparation of Ukraine.

It was before the problems there. So then it was no issue.

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

Yes, all the Phuket day-trip boats operate from Chalong Pier. Just a heads up, they pack up to 60+ divers on these boats so it's quite a scrum on the dive deck and the lunch buffet. Get in line early or you might miss out

But if you do want to dive out from Phuket then make sure the operator does not take outsider. 30+ divers on a dive boat is no fun. Some operators will pool divers from various shops when business is low.

I'm understanding what you both are talking about. I contacted All4Diving and Sea Bees to get an idea of how many people on their boats. All4Diving packs about 60-100 people, and Sea Bees packs up to 45 people. Wow!

 

[Centrals]

I'm understanding what you both are talking about. I contacted All4Diving and Sea Bees to get an idea of how many people on their boats. All4Diving packs about 60-100 people, and Sea Bees packs up to 45 people. Wow!

I had experienced it once and never again.
Imagine 30+ divers on the tiny King cruiser.
Cattle boat.
Forget all about it.

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

Imagine 30+ divers on the tiny King cruiser.
Cattle boat.

Gah. My buddy and I have resigned ourselves to the fact we'll be riding cattle boats. But we do look forward to logging the dives in the Andaman Sea. We also appreciate that the charter serves breakfast and lunch. I'll have snacks of my own should the food not measure up to my liking.

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

My liveaboard trip is looming close. My friend and I decided to cancel Khao Lak and hang out in Phuket and dive. We decided to book with No Gravity Dive Center for our diving prior to boarding The Junk. No Gravity has positive reviews and cost less than the other dive ops in the area. We'll make the best of the cattle boats. If anything, that's more people to converse with, yes?

 

[JonnieB]

I'm understanding what you both are talking about. I contacted All4Diving and Sea Bees to get an idea of how many people on their boats. All4Diving packs about 60-100 people, and Sea Bees packs up to 45 people. Wow!

And at least 50 percent will be newly certified divers or people doing intro courses. At least with Seabees, they operate their own boat (Excalibur 2) and a nice boat it is (probably maxes out at 40-45 divers).

 

[JonnieB]

Gah. My buddy and I have resigned ourselves to the fact we'll be riding cattle boats. But we do look forward to logging the dives in the Andaman Sea. We also appreciate that the charter serves breakfast and lunch. I'll have snacks of my own should the food not measure up to my liking.

The food will be very tasty...just don't be shy about getting in line fast! They also serve snacks after the third dive. There is also a 7-Eleven just opposite the pier to buy drinks/snacks for the day.

 

[Centrals]

Jus

My liveaboard trip is looming close. My friend and I decided to cancel Khao Lak and hang out in Phuket and dive. We decided to book with No Gravity Dive Center for our diving prior to boarding The Junk. No Gravity has positive reviews and cost less than the other dive ops in the area. We'll make the best of the cattle boats. If anything, that's more people to converse with, yes?

Just ignore certain pathetic remark on newly certified divers on the boat. Experienced operator tend not to mix divers with various qualification.
Food and drinks are usually provided PLENTIFUL as part of the package. I had never starved on any day boats that I had been. Nothing to worry about unless your name is #$%^&ieB! LOL.

You are lucky that you are not in Malaysia at this moment ie. Ramadan. Finding food for breakfast and lunch is not easy even in a holiday island of Langkawi.