Blogs from Ko Similan Marine NP, South-West Thailand, Thailand, Asia - page 4

We have recently got back from a four-day four-night live-aboard scuba trip to the Similan / Surin Islands, off the west coast of Thailand. We set off on the boat at about 8pm, ate dinner with everyone, and then slept while the captain sailed us to the islands. The average day went like this: At 6.30am, we were awoken to get up and ready for our first dive at about 7am. Hitting the water at that time of morning really wakes you up quickly! After the first dive, we had breakfast then usually a trip to a deserted beautiful beach. The second dive for the day came at about 11am, followed by lunch, then the third dive was at about 3pm, followed by a snack, then the fourth dive was a night dive followed by dinner. ... read more

Friends keep asking about diving in Thailand…and I have one advice, pack your stuff and embark on a liveaboard for the Similan Islands! Although this trip took place a year ago, none of us can forget our four days cruising on the Similan Islands up to Richelieu Rock which is for most divers one of the best diving spot in the world … We embarked on the Queen Scuba where as quite usual on diving boats the team was great, friendly, helpful…welcome to the diver world… Early wake up, coffee, 6.30 first dive (yep…), breakfast, 2nd dive, lunch, 3rd dive, coffee break and fourth (and last) dive of the day…We both end up completely exhausted but kept talking with the other divers about the amazing coral gardens we had seen during those dives, the prolific fish ... read more

Time to make a new attempt to get on the boat. Yet another early morning packing up routine but this time we are rewarded with a driver who appears on time and we ride down to the Khao Lak pier, which is on the far side of town. We check in with the ticketing office and receive little stickers to put on our shirts, identifying us as "two day, one night" travellers. Among the people waiting at the pier we can see both two nighters as well as day trippers. The pier is chaotic and bustling with activity and lots of boats and small ships. There is a small navy base next door and a little market were Kay finds some precious chicken snacks to bring along. It seems the entire group consists of Thais, the ... read more