Discovering Similan Islands with Liveaboard Diving – More Entertaining Diving Experience You are here:HomeBlog

The Similan Islands is a group of splendid granite landmasses scattered on southern Thailand’s turquoise Andaman Sea. It is home to world-class diving sites that are rich in marine and underwater life. The best way to enjoy everything the Similan Islands has to offer is to sign up for a live aboard diving expedition. This is a great and more entertaining way of spending your holiday because not only will you get to see the all the dive sites you wish to see—you also get to meet new people and learn more about the Thai culture.

Be sure to book with a reliable diving holiday provider in Similan Islands to assist you with all the things you need for your liveaboard diving expedition. If you are on a budget, you can consider an economy type of package that allows you to see all the major dive sites and get maximum value for your money. An economy package will allow you to meet and make friends with a lot travelers and divers from different parts of the world, as you will be traveling with them on the same liveaboard package. Do you want a little more privacy during the trip? Don’t worry – the comfort class liveaboard package offers private rooms (with bathrooms).

First class liveaboard packages, on the other hand, are the perfect choice if you want to experience a 5-star accommodation during the entire expedition. Superb meals and even massages are just some of the many things you’ll have the liberty to enjoy during the trip.

Whether you are aiming for a first-class or a comfort class liveaboard package, make sure to get in touch with a reputable PADI-endorsed company so that you can have the best accommodation and experience. With their crew and staff being well-trained and well-experienced, you can be assured that you will be taken good care of throughout your liveaboard diving experience in the Similan Islands.

Blog Source URL: http://www.scubadiving-phuket.com/all4diving-thailand/2016/05/discovering-similan-islands-liveaboard-diving-entertaining-diving-experience/

Experience Underwater Fun with World Class Diving Courses in Phuket

Scuba diving is not as easy as it seems; it’s not a matter of simply strapping on an oxygen tank and jumping into the water. In order to enjoy safe underwater fun during your Phuket holiday, you need to be educated on scuba diving basics. You will need to attend diving courses offered in Phuket for all kinds of divers. There are three types of available:

1. Beginner diver course – This is where you learn the most fundamental techniques in scuba diving – from the kind of suit to wear to the specific gear to use. You will undergo hands-on training in a swimming pool where the instructor can safely teach you the skills you need. The instructor may also take students like you to a shallow spot in the open sea to give you a taste of what a real scuba diving experience will be like.

2. Intermediate diver course – This course is a good opportunity to put your scuba diving skills to the test. The intermediate course allows divers to experience real diving expeditions in the open water. This is a great chance to prepare yourself for a full-course dive in more challenging sites.

3. Advanced diver course – For those who want to take on more challenging and thrilling dives, the advance course can be extremely fun and useful. Here, you can choose to further your diving skills and even learn other underwater activities such as digital underwater photography, drift and wreck diving, night diving, and the like.

If you are interested in enrolling in one of these courses, be sure to contact PADI accredited companies in Phuket. This ensures that you can learn from the best diving instructors. Also, make sure that you are physically fit to take a diving course. Ask for a clearance from your physician.

Blog Source URL: http://www.scubadiving-phuket.com/all4diving-thailand/2016/05/experience-underwater-fun-world-class-diving-courses-phuket/

Scuba Diving In Thailand - Great Adventure

Thailand is one of the best places to go scuba diving. Just head to the island of Phuket and you will be minutes away from fabulous, world-class dive sites where you will come upon both natural and artificial reefs that are ideal for all levels of divers. To be able to enjoy scuba diving, you should take PADI courses first. Dozens of PADI dive centers are in Phuket, but it’s always best to choose a center with a 5-star rating to ensure professionalism and the highest standards of safety.

One of the best ways to enjoy scuba diving in Thailand is to using a liveaboard package. You can save a lot of time on travel and enjoy the open waters for much longer. In a liveaboard arrangement, you stay on a boat or yacht instead of hotels on land. Liveaboards offered are ideal for all types of travelers, whether you are on a budget or looking to splurge. Just book your liveaboard scuba diving adventure with a reputable PADI center or travel operator. There are usually four types of liveaboards:

1.    Economy – For the budget-conscious, economy liveaboards are an excellent way to meet other travelers who also share your love for adventure or diving.

2.    Comfort – One step up from economy, comfort liveaboard offers private accommodation and boats with more amenities.

3.    First Class – This type of liveaboard usually includes delicious and world-class meals. Some ships even have massage services onboard as well as housekeeping.

4.    Luxury – If you don’t want to follow a particular itinerary and want to travel around Phuket’s Andaman Sea as you please, this is the liveaboard for you. Almost anything you wish can be arranged, from the cuisine that you want to be served to drinks that you want onboard, like champagne and wine.

Phuket - An Amazing Destination for Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is one of the top reasons why visitors come to the island of Phuket. This area is an excellent jump off point for visiting the world-class dive sites of Thailand. Here are some locations you might want to visit while there:

•    Koh Doc Mai – This limestone island looks a little bit like a muffin. It has a garden of soft and hard corals and is ideal for all levels of divers. The current can be moderate to high, and visibility is up to 15 meters. You can spot octopuses, sharks, moray eels, and tropical fishes in Koh Doc Mai.

•    Racha Islands – To the south of Phuket lies Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi. Both granite islands have hard and soft corals and usually have moderate currents. These islands are suitable for beginners. Scuba divers can usually find moray eels, stingrays, turtles, and tropical underwater. If you are a little apprehensive of diving or are with non-divers, Racha Islands are also ideal for snorkeling.

•    Anemone Reef – Its name Hin Jom translates to Submerged Rock. This limestone pinnacle is ideal for beginners to advanced divers. Some of the sea life you can spot include schools of lionfish and clownfish.

•    Richelieu Rock – If you want to spot some manta rays and whale sharks, this is the place to go. Only advanced divers are allowed to go to Richelieu Rock as the current is usually high.

If you are going to Phuket, book with a PADI dive center beforehand to get the best advices and prices. When intending to visit during high or peak seasons, you need to book your diving course way in advance because slots run out. Those who are looking to enjoy the full-on experience of visiting Phuket can also try a liveaboard package. Don’t forget to complete your PADI diving course for a better and safer experience.

Things to Consider When Choosing Scuba Diving Courses in Phuket

With the high demand for diving courses increasing in Phuket, dozens of PADI dive centers have set up shop in and around the island. If you are looking for a scuba diving course for your next vacation, here are some factors you need to consider:

·         Scuba Diving Level – Are you a beginner, a novice, or an experienced diver? No matter what your level is, it’s important to choose the scuba diving course accordingly. If you sign up for a scuba diving course that is beneath your level, you might get bored. If you choose a course that is way too advanced for you, however, you might not be able to keep up, or have a fun underwater.

·         Instructors – You also have to take into account who will be teaching you when you choose a diving course. Aside from being fully qualified to teach scuba diving courses, the instructor should be highly experienced and knowledgeable about the dive sites in Phuket. Even the most seasoned scuba divers can experience troubles underwater if they are diving in new dive spots and environments.

·         The diving center – You also need to take into account the PADI dive center where the scuba diving course is being offered. Check out the services offered as well as the on-site facilities and logistics. For beginners, it can be helpful if the PADI dive center has its own and private dive pool. Check if the dive center is accredited. Some of the best ones have earned awards and are 5 Star PADI dive center.

·         Pricing – Most dive package prices are in the same ballpark. What you have to consider is the quality of service as well as inclusions. For example, will your scuba diving course already include the price of air tanks, gears, water transportation?  Also, keep in mind that scuba diving involves classroom courses. You have to sit down for a class before you put on your scuba gear.  Make sure the package includes this as well.

Experience Tremendous Fun with Scuba Diving Courses in Phuket

According to statistics, more than 29 million tourists visited Thailand in 2015. This number is estimated to reach 100 million in the next two decades, and 40% are expected to go to Phuket. It’s easy to see why. After all, Phuket is one of the most exciting diving spots in the world. It is home to rich marine life, coral reefs, and even a boat wreck now inhabited by sea creatures. Consider a scuba diving course for your trip in Phuket. Here are some PADI diving courses in Phuket you might consider:

·         PADI Discover Suba Diving – This type of scuba diving course is ideal for visitors who simply want try out scuba diving in the sea. You can try this with your kids as long as they’re at least 10 years old. Dives will last for about 35 to 45 minutes and a professional PADI Instructor will take care of you.

·         PADI Open water Diver – This is the first step to becoming a scuba diver. An open water course will usually be comprised of three phases, including classes for knowledge development and training at a private swimming pool to help gain confidence. You will get to dive in famous Phuket dive sites like Kata Reef and the Racha islands.

·         PADI Advanced Open Water Diver – If you are ready to take things to the next level, an advanced open water diver course will allow you to visit even more wonderful diving locations in Phuket.

·         PADI Rescue Dive Course – Diving is usually just about you enjoying the excellent marine life and the sea. If you take the rescue dive course, you are able to further your diving education. It’s not just about fun anymore but also function. You will learn to how rescue and act during emergencies.

·         PADI Go Pro – If you think that diving might be a career path for you, it’s time to go pro. This type, of course, is for divers who are looking to become dive masters and PADI instructors.

Gain Revitalizing Experiences at Different Diving Destinations of Thailand

The Andaman Sea offers itself to scuba divers of every skill level. This part of Thailand has some of the best scuba diving destinations in the country, if not the world, among the most sought after of which are the Red and Purple Rocks (Hin Daeng and Hin Muang dive sites), which offer world-class dive spots that deserve to be in every diving enthusiast's top 10 dive sites to take on. Apart from these locations, other amazing sites to target include the Surin and Similan Islands.

October through early May or April is the best times to visit the Andaman Sea. If you want to catch a glimpse of giant manta rays and whale sharks, they arrive at the Similans between the months of January and April. However, heavy rainfall usually hits in May, starting at the West Coast. Heavy downpours usually continue until September, during which the East of the country is a better option for diving. Here, the best diving is found in Koh Tao, but you may want to avoid the crowds during peak months.

Thailand is known for its crystal clear waters. The average sea temperature is a relatively comfortable 28 degrees, which is good for most divers. Because many of the dive sites around Thailand are considered national treasures, Thai authorities are very strict in protecting their natural environment, particularly the coral reefs, even closing dive sites when necessary. They have strict control over their Marine National Parks, which is also why these places have retained their beauty and diversity throughout the centuries.

The maximum dive depth in marine parks is 40 meters and as a rule, no diver may do more than four dives per day. Across Thailand are a total of 26 marine parks, 16 of which can be found in the Andaman Sea, while the remainder can be found in the Gulf of Siam.