Enjoy the Natural Beauty by Taking a Liveaboard Diving Tour in Similan Island

Thailand has a lot of dive spots that can give you the opportunity to discover and explore the breathtaking and mysterious life under the sea. The Similan Islands are one of the most popular scuba diving destination, and the best way to explore them is by taking a liveaboard diving tour. In this type of tour, you will live on a yacht or a boat that is specially crafted for diving trips. The boats are large enough for small to big groups. Liveaboards offer the best diving tours and cruises that can let you make the most of your visit to Similan Island, and the best opportunities are offered by seasoned specialists who organize liveaboard diving packages in Thailand.

You can find Liveaboard diving tours in Similan Islands as packages that come with the best deals, like dives to Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, and Surin National Marine Park. Diving tours can be arranged as daily or multi-day trips on a Similan liveaboard. Together with the Surin Islands, the Similan Islands cover about 140 square kilometers, so you will need a few days or more to explore every dive spot they have to offer, including Shark Fin Reef. Many islands are uninhabited and unspoiled, so it may feel like you are in a completely different world as you explore their beaches, behold their majestic boulders, enjoy different activities and experiences, and take in the breathtaking views.

Under the sea, the most outstanding scenes and venues await to be explored via a liveaboard diving tour in Similan Island. The seas around the islands are home to a very rich marine life that includes whale sharks and manta rays. Mild temperatures and clear water make ideal diving conditions, and when you join a liveaboard diving tour, you will be accompanied by PADI certified divers, too.

5 Things to Keep in Mind When Going for Scuba Diving Tours in Phuket

Warm weather and beautiful seas make Phuket one of the best destinations for scuba diving tours. Scuba divers of every age and skill level will find Phuket a wonderful venue for diving and exploring the sea life, and specially crafted tours are designed to make their trip more convenient and cost-effective. Scuba diving tours in Phuket offer a great way to enjoy the activity with your companions or in a group, but there are five things you should keep in mind before you go:

1. Pick the right tour provider – Make sure it is an established company that offers a wide range of scuba diving tour packages and courses in Phuket. Find out how long they have been operating and make sure they are a licensed business. One of the leading providers of scuba diving tours in the island has been in business for over 20 years, making them among the most established and reputable companies trusted by local and visiting scuba diving enthusiasts.

2. Explore the options – Find out the tour options and packages being offered by a particular provider. Scuba diving tours and trips typically provide access to major dive areas like the Phuket West coast, Shark Point, the Racha Islands, Ko Phi Phi, the Tarutao group, the Hin Daeng and Hin Muang group, Anemone reef, and the King Cruiser wreck.

3. How can you get to the diving sites? - Reputable scuba diving tour providers in Phuket have a yacht that can take you to the dive sites comfortably and safely. The boat is specially crafted for diving, with specific areas for equipment, lounging, eating, and for getting in and out of the ocean.

4. The number of people who can join the trip – There is safety in numbers, including the maximum number of people who are allowed to join in a group. This way, overloading the yacht can be avoided and you can be sure that it will not be too crowded and that the dive guides can provided personalized attention to everyone.

5. PADI certified – Make sure that you are booking scuba diving tours with a PADI certified dive center. This means that Divemasters and SCUBA instructors are certified PADI too and that they are qualified to accompany you or teach you how to dive.

Scuba Diving in Phuket – The Pearl of The Andaman

Phuket is situated around 862 kilometers south of Bangkok and it is one of the must-see destinations in Thailand, especially if you love water sports and scuba diving. Its nickname, ‘Pearl of the Andaman Sea,’ will make a lot of sense when you see how beautiful it is with its limestone cliffs, vast and tranquil bays, white beaches with powdery sand, and lush tropical forests. Phuket itself is the largest island of Thailand, and its waters have plenty of diving sites that are waiting to be explored by you.

Scuba diving is one of the top activities you should not miss in Phuket. PADI-certified divers go there for a challenge or for fun dives, and beginners and casual divers go there to learn or hone their skill. The best time to go scuba diving in Phuket is during hot season, which is from November to April. That way, you can experience the clearest skies, crystal clear waters, and the freshest sea breeze, and enjoy a pleasant temperature, which averages between 28 to 33 degrees Celsius.

Families, couples, groups of friends, and individuals can arrange scuba diving adventures through a reputable provider of diving trips, holidays, liveaboards, and certified diving lessons in Phuket. Be sure to find provider that is recognized as the leader in the local diving industry and recognized by PADI as a reputable diving center with the best standards for teaching and guiding its students.

Phuket offers many different dive sites such as Racha Noi, a tropical island known for its hard coral reefs, big granite boulders, and excellent visibility that lets you enjoy a view of the underwater life with plenty of fish and manta rays. The King Cruiser wreck is another attraction to see when scuba diving in Phuket. The ferry sank in May 1997 near a reef, and since then, it became inhabited by many species of fish, making it a fascinating diving destination for average to expert divers.

3 Beautiful Phuket Scuba Diving Sites

Scuba diving in Phuket is one of the best experiences you could ever have. Arranging a dive in Phuket should be easy if you book with a specialized provider that offers PADI-certified diving courses and reasonably priced diving trips. Trips are designed for beginners and more experienced divers, and they always come with certified instructors and guides to ensure your safety. There are three beautiful Phuket scuba diving sites you should not miss:

1. Racha Islands – Situated less than two hours south of Phuket, Racha consists of two islands: Racha Yai (the north island) and Racha Noi (south island). These are two of the best local dive sites for first-time or amateur divers. There are more than 10 sites here with many different attractions to see. 

Racha Yai is known for its good visibility that lets you clearly behold abundant reef fish and coral reefs. From there, you can consider a trip to the Harruby wreck located between Bay 1 and Bay 2. At 18 meters deep, you should be able to find spotfin lionfish, different kinds of nudibranchs, some batfish or even yellowtail barracudas. 

Racha Noi is 45 minutes south of the northern island and it is known for its good visibility, too. The underwater environment consists of a white sandy bottom with huge granite boulders. Whale sharks, spotted eagle rays, mantas, and other large pelagics frequent the island because of its current and depth.

2. Koh Phi Phi – Located 46 kilometers east-south-east of Phuket lies the Phi Phi Islands, which boasts turquoise waters and verdant limestone hills highlighting the main island. Scuba diving is one of the main activities in this area where you can find local reefs consisting of soft and hard corals and a diverse marine life. Koh Phi Phi is ideal for all scuba divers regardless of their skill level and expertise.

3. Koh Dok Mai – This small limestone island has hard coral on the west, so the east wall is commonly frequented by divers. Cracks and crevices can be found at all depths, but the popular one is the big and small caves on the east side. The small cave is recommended only to scuba divers who are certified or have obtained specialty in caverns.