Thailand Scuba Diving
Frequently Asked Questions
General Diving FAQs
Liveaboard Diving FAQs
Diving in Thailand FAQs
When is the diving season in Thailand?
Tourist high season is from November to April. Whether you are coming here for diving or not, we recommend you try to come from February to April. The weather is at its best, there are fewer tourists here, accommodation is much better value-for-money, and the seas their calmest. The dive sites around the Similan Islands are less crowded, and it's your optimum time to see something special on your Phuket scuba liveaboard trip, as it's whale shark and manta ray season.
November to April is the best time for Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi Islands and Khao Lak. March to September is however the best time to be diving Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, so there is always a good time of year to scuba dive in Thailand.
Where is the Dive The World shop?
Our dive centre is in the centre of Patong. Our address is 188/2 Thaweewong Road, Patong Beach, Phuket, but the centre is actually located on 'Soi Hat Patong' (meaning 'Patong Beach Street'), which must not be confused with the main beach road called 'Thaweewong Road'. Confused? No problem, Soi Hat Patong is a road that runs between the main road ('Rathutid Road') and the beach road. Coming from the airport just turn right off the main road opposite Siam Commercial Bank, then you'll see us about 200m down towards the beach on the left. Take a look at our map of Patong .
Can you arrange accommodation for me in Thailand?
Our affiliated hotel reservation agents Agoda.com has 1,200 different accommodation choices throughout Thailand, including all the popular tourist destinations, and over 175 hotels in Phuket alone. Browse their website choices, use their live chat to ask your questions, and then simply use your credit card to make your hotel reservation:
From 5-star beach resorts to low-cost hotels and lodges, there's something to suit everyone's taste and needs. And you can be certain that whatever option you select, it will be backed up with their 'Low Price Guarantee', ensuring you will always get top-dollar value for money.
Are there any strong currents?
Some of the Thailand diving sites visited can have strong currents. This depends on the site, time of month and time of day. Your guide will advise you in your pre-dive briefings. Generally, there is never an occasion when you need to swim against a strong current.
Do people speak English there?
English is very widely spoken in the tourist destinations and you can enjoy a great holiday here without knowing a word of Thai. However as Nelson Mandela himself says, "Speak to me in a language I understand and you speak to my head; speak to me in my own language and you speak to my heart" - so a few words can get you a long way and you might end up not parting with too much cash for that plastic elephant memento. Grab a phrase book and learn the basics - it's amazing how far you can get with a "Hello, yes, no, how much, please, thank you, you are very beautiful!"
Is there good scuba diving in Phuket itself or further afield?
The good diving isn't right off the beach here (although there are some very nice sites not far from the shores of the island). Mostly however people go on scuba day trips to the best sites like Kingcruiser Wreck, the Racha Islands and Shark Point as well as Phi Phi and beyond. There is enough good local diving to keep you amused for 5 or 6 days but if you want the cream of diving in Thailand then a liveaboard to the Similans or beyond into Burma is where you really should go.
How do I get to Phuket?
The island is located in the south of Thailand, on the Andaman Sea coast of the Thai - Myanmar - Malay peninsula. Phuket International Airport has direct flights to/from Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok - Thailand. Flights from Bangkok with Air Asia, Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways are daily, almost hourly, and take just over 1 hour. Return flight prices are very reasonable. There are also daily bus and train services that run between Bangkok and Phuket, providing a cheaper means of getting here. They are however, depressingly slow (12 hours).
Are there taxis at the airport?
The airport is about 40 km from Patong Beach, and a 45 minute taxi journey. We can arrange airport transfers for you.
Phuket also serves as the main gateway to Koh Phi Phi and Khao Lak, as well as a nearby alternative to Krabi Airport.
Is there much to do except diving in Phuket?
There is plenty to do for non-divers or for divers taking a break from the underwater world. Read all about it in our Phuket tourist information section.
What about diving in Koh Samui?
Koh Samui is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand and has many top class hotels. The diving is generally not as good as in Phuket or the Similan Islands, but in the summer months, when the Andaman coast has its low season, Samui is a good bet for day trips to several famous dive sites. For more details about getting there and what to do, see our Koh Samui tourist information section.
Will there be much evidence of the 2004 Tsunami?
Different areas of the coast were affected to differing degrees. In Patong there is almost no evidence of it at all any more, whereas areas which were more damaged will take time to fully restore themselves to their former glory. What is certain is that the tsunami is in the past as far as everyone here is concerned and there is no reason why tourists shouldn't come and plenty of reasons why they should dive Phuket and its beautiful surroundings.
Occasional trouble in the south of Thailand - does that affect your areas?
There is trouble in the south of Thailand but if you look at a map of the country you will see that the 'deep south', where there are incidents of unrest, is a long way from Phuket and Krabi provinces. The restive states are those bordering Malaysia which see very little tourist activity and there has been no proof to date that foreign nationals are seen as a target by those seeking independence from the kingdom of Thailand. In other words - no.
Thailand Liveaboard FAQs
What is a liveaboard cruise?
Thailand liveaboards provide diving facilities and living accommodations for divers. You eat, sleep and dive on the boat! They stay at sea for the duration of a cruise and so can explore more remote dive sites. This type of diving opens up a whole world of top class opportunities that would simply not be available on a regular day trip boat. Destinations include the Similan Islands, and Surin Islands, Hin Daeng - Hin Muang as well as the Mergui Archipelago (Burma).
How many dives will I make per day?
Generally you can make 4 dives a day. A typical day starts at 07:00 hrs with the first dive; the last being either a sunset or night dive. You have about 3 hours between dives at your leisure.
Can I dive on my own on a Thailand liveaboard?
Phuket liveaboards are recreational diving cruise charters, and as such follow recreational scuba guidelines. This means you'll be expected to dive with a buddy to a maximum depth of 40m and observe safe diving limits. If you prefer to dive without a guide, then this is not a problem provided you have all the equipment necessary to conduct dives unassisted ie dive computer or timing device, safety balloon, compass and diveknife.
Can I recharge my strobes and batteries?
Usually this is not a problem on board liveaboards in Thailand. Please review the "specs" information tab for details of the power sources provided on each cruise.
What type of tanks and valves are on the boats?
Nearly all Thailand charters carry 12 litre aluminium tanks with yoke or A-clamp international valves as standard. If you have a DIN regulator, you should bring an adaptor, or you can rent or buy one here. 10 or 15 litre tanks are also available for rent in advance. Enriched air nitrox is available on some boats. See the "Facilities and Food" information tab of each boat for more details.
Can I rent an underwater camera?
We have digital cameras available for rent on your Similan liveaboard cruise. Please request these in advance to ensure availability.
What kind of food is served?
Please review the "Facilities and Food" information tab for details of food served on each of the cruises. Generally, the standard of cuisine is excellent throughout the Thailand diving industry.
Can I request vegetarian food?
Not a problem but please do tell us your requirements at the time you make your booking, so that we can meet your request.
Can I bring alcohol onboard?
You can bring what you like on board Similan diving liveaboards. If you have a favourite tipple or taste, feel free to bring it along. Just be very aware that you cannot drink and dive.
Where can you pick me up from?
We can arrange transfers to your liveaboard from your Phuket hotel, from our diving centre or from the airport if you arrive just before your boat departure. Please advise us of your preferred transfer point before you arrive.
What should I bring on board?
All your personal diving equipment (except tanks, weights and weight belts), a bathing suit, towel, toiletries, t-shirts, shorts, and sun cream. You may also want to bring something a little warmer for the evenings.
Where can I leave my excess baggage when I go on a cruise?
If your hotel cannot help you store your baggage, then we are more than willing to help. You can store your bags and valuables at our Phuket centre for the duration of your liveaboard cruise. Just don't leave any open boxes of chocolates lying around!
Will I get sea sick?
All the charter boats use mooring points to over-night at the islands visited on the cruise. These mooring points are located in the island's bays, sheltered away from any open sea swells.
If you are particularly susceptible to motion sickness, then you should consider joining a Similan Islands trip in February to April, when the seas are very calm.
Is dive insurance for customers included in the cruise price?
Some operators provide insurance. For details please review the "Safety and Specs" information tab for each boat. Phuket now has 2 (expensive) recompression chambers. We recommend you have your own personal dive insurance, for your own peace of mind.
Is Malaria a problem?
The Thailand liveaboards destinations are free of Malaria.
Can a non-diver go on a liveaboard?
Non-divers and snorkellers are always welcome on board. Most of the dive sites visited offer good snorkelling too, particularly liveaboards to the Similan Islands. Do bear in mind though that the cruises are really designed for scuba diving, not snorkelling.
Prices for non-divers are usually discounted 10%, sometimes more, but please ask us for exact details. Although this sounds quite a small discount, boat operators will tell you that if you are not diving, then you will be on the boat eating all the food! Anyway, the main issue is that you are taking the space that would otherwise be available to a diver.
Do I need to share a cabin?
Space on liveaboard boats is the ultimate premium and single cabins are extremely rare and expensive. Unless we manage to book you a single cabin, you will be expected to share. It may be, if the boat is not full and there are an odd number of passengers, that you can have your own cabin, but this situation cannot be guaranteed. The only way to guarantee a cabin for yourself is to pay for 2 beds! Please review the main information tab of each Phuket charter for more details on the types of cabin available.
Can I explore the beaches at the islands?
You have 3 hours surface interval between dives, so as long as you are not travelling between sites, you are free to do want you want on board Similan liveaboards. Please do advise the tour leader before and each time you disembark from the boat.
What about tipping?
Tipping in Thailand is entirely a matter of choice. If your liveaboard charter met or exceeded your expectations, you may wish to leave a tip of up to 10% of your cruise price. Smaller tips are welcome too!
Will I see sharks?
We certainly hope so! Leopard sharks and white-tip reef sharks are the most common and seen on all Similans trips. Nurse sharks and silver-tip sharks can be seen quite commonly on Burma liveaboards. Whale sharks sightings are frequent some years but infrequent in others — keep your fingers crossed!
Manta rays sightings have been very common recently, and you will always see blue-spotted sting rays, marble rays, and fantail rays.
Are you like Bono? Still haven't found what you're looking for? Then the answer is sure to be in our tourist information section ...
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