Overview

Similand islands is the most Thailands popular diving holidays, the enjoying for the gorgeous weather, great hospitality of the local people, the beauty of the land and rich bounty of the warm Andaman Sea. Thailand has been ranked as a firm favourite both with hard-core divers who come to dive some of the best sites in Asia and also with holiday-makers and backpackers who know that a few days diving here will add hugely to their experience of the country.

Description

Diving in Thailand is possible on both sides of the oceans in the south of Thailand. Most of the best spots are on the west coast in Andaman Sea with world most well known dive sites such as the Similan nine islands, Surin island, Richelieu Rock, Hin Muang, Hin Daeng, most of which now enjoy national marine park status. You can cruise the sea on liveaboards or stay in some of the peaceful beach resorts of Phuket, Krabi or Phi Phi Islands, enjoying some great diving trip with relaxation and great comfort.

Standard Inclusions

• Package inclusions:
• VIP DOUBLE CABINS PRICE IS BASED ON A COUPLE SHARING - PRICE IS FOR 2 PEOPLE SHARING THE CABIN.
• Full accommodation on board
• (With Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• All soft drinks, drinking water, coffee, tea & yoghurt
• Fresh fruits & snacks
• 12 Litre Alum Cylinders, Weights & Weight Belt
• PADI Professional Dive Guide
• 14 Dives during the Trip (4 Days/4 Nights)
• 18 Dives during the Trip (5 Days/5 Nights)
• Towels, Shampoo, Shower Gel & Lotion
• Transfers on the departure and arrival dates in the Phuket and Khao Lak area
• Not included:
• National Marine Park Fee (Please pay cash in Thai Baht on board)
• PERSONAL INSURANCE
• Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes
• Equipment rental (Full set)
• Computer rental
• PADI Continuing Education Courses
• 15 Litre Steel Cylinders
• 12 Litre Cylinders fill up with NITROX
• Transfers outside Phuket Island & Khao Lak
• Extra transfers over time table can be arranged by separate charges!
• Similan & Surin Islands National Marine Park Fee (Not included):
• National Marine Park Fee must be paid in Thai Baht on the Boat
• 400 Baht entrance fee for (Similan Islands ? Koh Bon ? Koh Tachai).
• 400 Baht entrance fee for (Richelieu Rock ? Surin Islands).
• 200 Baht diving fee per day in these areas. (Similan Islands/Richelieu Rock/Surin Islands)
• Non-Divers only have to pay the entrance fee for Similan & Surin Islands National Marine Park Fee 800- THB for whole trip
• 4 Days/4 Nights National Marine Park Fee for Diver 1,600- THB
• 5 Days/5 Nights MP Fee for Diver 1,800 THB

Trip Info

Similan, Thailand Dive Itinerary.

Evening of Departure (First Night)
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Pick-up at your Hotel, Phuket Airport, Dive shop & Khao Lak (Pick-up times are according to the location)
06:00 pm - 08:00 pm Arrival at MV Queen Scuba Liveaboard, (Taplamu pier)
Welcome Drinks - Cabin allocation - Staff Introduction
Boats Briefing - Welcome Dinner

Day 1: 07:00 am - 07:30 am General Diving Rules / Safety Briefing
07:30 am 07:00 pm Three day dives around the Similan Island.Visit Island No. 4 / Enjoy our little paradise with beautiful nature & a white sandy beach.
07:00 pm - 07:45 pm Night dive at Honeymoon Bay (Island No. 4).

Day 2: 07:00 am - 01:00 pm wo dives around the Similan Islands. Visit Island No. 8 / Enjoy our little paradise with beautifulnature & a white sandy beach
02:00 pm - 06:30 pm Two dives around Koh Bon & Koh Tachai Islands.

Day 3: 07:00 am - 09:00 am One early morning dive around Koh Tachai Island
10:30 am - 06:30 pm Three dives around Richelieu Rock & Surin Island

Day 4: 07:00 am - 08:00 am One early morning dive around Koh Bon Island
11:00 am - 12:00 am If possible, we do one dive at Boon Song Wreck
12:30 pm - 02:30 pm Leave the dive site for Taplamu Pier (Lunch, Debriefing).
03:00 pm - 03:30 pm Disembarkation at Taplamu Pier.
04:00 pm - 06:30 pm Transfer back to your Hotel in Phuket, Air Airport & Khao Lak Area.

PICK-UP Time Table for Queen Scuba
Pick-up Location Time
Phuket Town 16:15 - 16:45
Chalong Bay 16:00 - 16:30
Rawai Beach Area 16:00 - 16:30
Kata Beach 15:15 - 15:45
Karon Beach 15:00 - 15:30
Patong Beach 16:00 - 16:30
Kamala/Surin Beach 16:15 - 16:45
Phuket International Airport 16:45 - 17:15
JW Marriott 16:45 - 17:15
Khao Lak area 18:00 - 18:30

Boat Specications

Built in the year 2003
Length 28m (92ft)
Beam 7m (17ft)
Draft 2.5 m (8 ft)
Two Hino Engines 2 X 510 hp
Two Hino generators each with 50kw (220V + 12V)
Two Bauer mariner compressors 2 X 190 lpm
Enriched Air (Nitrox) onboard
All cabins complete with 220v of Electricity 24 hours a day
Air-conditioning system (Hino)
Water capacity 20000 liters
Fuel capacity 15000 liters
Guest capacity 21 pax for Thailand cruises, 17 pax for Indonesian cruises.
Cruising Speed 9.5 knots
Max. Speed 12 knots
1 Master Cabin with private bathroom (King size double bed / Air-con / Minibar / TV / DVD)
5 Deluxe Cabins with private bathroom (Double bed / Air-con)
1 Standard Cabins with private bathroom (2 x Bunk bed / Twin share / Air-con)
1 Standard Cabin with private bathroom (3 x Bunk bed / Triple share / Air-con)
1 Standard Cabin with private bathroom (4 x Bunk bed / Quad share / Air-con)
2 Staff Cabins + Captain's wheelhouse
60 sqm sun deck area
Large comfortable saloon with air-con
CD / VCD Music system with music selection
TV / DVD Player with a library of films

VIP Double Cabin info

The VIP Cabins have a large double bed, complimentary fruit basket, large en suite bathroom with hot water, air conditioning, and a nice ocean view. (ideally suited for couples).
VIP DOUBLE CABINS PRICE IS BASED ON A COUPLE SHARING - PRICE IS FOR 2 PEOPLE SHARING THE CABIN.

Activity Info

Queen Scuba diving gear

The Dive Deck

This boat has the largest spacious dive deck of them all, very well designed and this is where most of your time will be spent getting ready for some fantastic diving, No need to move tanks around, all tanks are continuously filled at their stations, the friendly boat crew will help handle the lifting of the tanks. Put your gear together and forget about it. The two dinghies will transfer you to the dive sites, or we'll jump off the mother ship. Most pick-ups are done with the dinghies for your convenience.

The Tour leader on the boat does all dive briefings. They are thorough and very interesting, this helps you to have more knowledge about the underwater world, and to recognize what you're seeing. All the dives are guided if you choose; there will always be a dive master available for you if you want one. If you just want to dive with a buddy that's ok too.

The Nitrox System

They realize that Nitrox is the future of diving, this mixture of air, gives you much more bottom time, and is the reason why more and more divers are using this. They have a Enriched Air or Nitrox station on board. And, if you are not yet Nitrox certified, then we offer this course onboard Queen Scuba for your convenience. There are two options a full certification in Nitrox, or introductory dives for those not sure if they will like it or not. And of course they have plenty of normal air available as well.

Thailand Diving

Similan Islands - the first place where people know about the area will mention the Similan Islands. This small collection of islands set in the beautiful Andaman Sea is the jewel in the Thailand scuba diving crown. World class dive sites pepper the area such as Fantasy Reef, East of Eden and Elephant Head Rock which are among the finest in Thailand and as good as anywhere in Asia. One of the best features of diving in the Similan Islands is its 2 distinct types of dive sites.
Hin Daeng / Hin Muang - The 2 pinnacles are away from the Thai mainland, offer some of the best diving outside the Similans. Manta rays, whale sharks and a variety of other sharks make frequent visits to these 2 spots where the diversity and sheer numbers of fish can be breathtaking. Shorter liveaboards trips that go here can give you a glimpse into some of Thailand's finest underwater world.

The Best Diving in Thailand

The Similan Islands are found to be the best dive sites, which are accessed by a large number of liveaboards. We promote the best boat ?MV Queen Scuba? which provide good service and value for money.
Day trip diving is the second choice for you if liveaboards are not what you are looking for. Thailand's west coast offer from the comfort of your choice of resorts in one of the popular southern resort areas, such as Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi, Phi Phi

Diving Season

November through to April being the peak season with optimum conditions in the South West. February to May is the best time for whale sharks. The more remote dive sites like Hin Daeng and Richelieu Rock are sometimes inaccessible during the May to October period. Liveaboards run to the Similans from early October to mid-May.
July through September and January through May are the best time for diving in the Gulf of Thailand, the popular dive sites are Koh Tao, Sail Rock, Chumporn pinnacles, etc.
Where do you want to dive?
Read more on all these great spots:

Andaman Sea:
Similan islands, Koh Bon, Tachai Richelieu, Hin Daeng-Hin Muang, Phuket, Khao Lak, Phi Phi islands

The Gulf of Thailand:
Koh Tao, Samui, Phangan
Map of Thailand
Tourist information

The Similan Islands National Park is known for long white coral sand beaches, crystal blue waters, warm tropical nights and cooling breezes coming off the Andaman Sea. Nine Unihabited islands with some of the best dive sites and scenery in Thailand.

The Similan Islands are very easy to visit. Located only 50 Kilometers from Khao Lak - The Similan Islands may be visited for one day, overnights, liveaboard or on tours. There are no resorts or stores on the Similans - only a couple of ranger stations and a few bungalows available for rent.

The Similan Islands are home to a huge variety of marine life and incredible opportunities to see rare and endangered species, also home to the best diving and snorkeling in Thailand. Often referred to as one of the best dive spots in the world - you will probably agree after visiting. While the underwater world may attract some people - there are also many varieties of birds and animals on the Similan islands the long beaches, of course.

Note: The Similan Islands National Park is closed to ALL access from May 15th to November 1st each year. This is due to the weather conditions. It is not possible to visit the park or the surrounding waters during this time.

Testimonials

Queen Scuba is one of the best liveaboards i have been on, outstnading service from the boat crew, excellent and knowledgeable dive guides and the food....so good and so much. We will be back to dive with the Queen Scuba crew again.

Dave and Eileen
England


Great fun, great diving, great boat.

Jay.
California, USA


It had been a while since my last dive, the Instructors onboard MV Queen Scuba went out of their way to make me feel relaxed, before long I was back in to the swing of things and the diving was fantastic. Thanks to Michael the cruise director and the rest of the crew onboard.

Ani
Italy.