planing a trip to thailand december 2011

[dangaignard]

Hi, we are planing a trip to thailand for this x-mas with few friends. My wife and I are already certified diver (rescu) for a while, but my 3 friends would like to get there Padi open water in Phuket, Ko Toa ou Phi Phi once we will be there. Do you have any advice ?

I wish we could see some whalesharks, were is the best place to see them during this time of the years ? any liveaboard suggestion ?

we will be in thailand for 2 weeks and an other 2 weeks in bali (lombok, flores) for diving-surfing trip.

we never been there, so any tip is good

thanks

[Quero]

My advice is for your friends to get their certification at the first place you stop. That way you will have the option of diving wherever you are.

Regarding liveaboard suggestions, you should make sure your friends are certified before you jump on a liveaboard or they will not be able to enjoy all of the dive sites with you. The selection of liveaboard will depend a great deal on your budget. Keep in mind that the Christmas season may get busy, so book early.

[lord khram]

My advice to your friends would be to get certified before they come to Thailand, then can get the maximum enjoyment from their holiday diving, when you are here for such a limited ammount of time why use that time training?
In december without doubt the best of the diving is to be had on the West (Andaman) of Thailand.
Also the indonesian islands offer some excellent diving opportunities.
Whale sharks are always 'pot luck', but again would say the Andaman sea would be the best oportunity.
Koh Tao, whilst offers probably the cheapest diving / training oportunities, also can be very busy and crowded particularly around christmas and lots of the diveboats are also crowded.
Good luck, hope you have a succesfull trip.

[Buadhai]

Lord Khram, don't you owe us a trip report?

[stevenl]

Open Water course your friends could do anywhere. As LK mentions, they could also consider doing it at home, or only do the theory or theory and poolwork at home to maximaize the vacation time. That option will be a bit more expensive though.

Liveaboards: plenty of options, really depends on what you're willing to spend, but look at trips of 4 days/4 nights (or longer) to Similans, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. Those trips offer best value for money, and enough time to cover the distances relaxed.

Normally too early in the season for whalesharks, but you never know.

[lord khram]

Lord Khram, don't you owe us a trip report? Didn't actually get round to doing any diving, Had a great time though in Koh Lanta. Back home in Banamphur today. Maybe diving at samaesan next week if conditions improve.

[Buadhai]

Didn't actually get round to doing any diving, Had a great time though in Koh Lanta. Back home in Banamphur today. Maybe diving at samaesan next week if conditions improve.

Oh, no! :shocked2:

[Buadhai]

Seriously, though, my wife and I are planning to go to Koh Lanta later this year. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on combining a couple's vacation with a day or two of diving for yours truly!

[lord khram]

I have been there several times as I have a friend who stays on the island for extended periods. Very quiet chilled place, perfect for a couple, with regard to the diving obviously I am not as knowledgable as some that post on here but I have always enjoyed. Generally I have dived from my friends private boat but once used Lanta divers who looked after us well.

[Buadhai]

Thanks.

[dangaignard]

Thanks for the info !

I told them the should take the certification at home but they don't want to dive in cold water with no viz at all.

It's hard to book in advance because sometime the place look good on the internet but poeple who run it aren't cool at all. so that's why I'm asking.

similan and richelieu look realy amazing.

[Quero]

Yeah, I figured that might be the problem, dangaignard. December in Canada is no picnic, and the weather is already turning now, from what I've heard, so even summertime lake diving is no longer an option.

However, if they wanted, your friends could do the book work and the pool sessions at home to save a day or two in Thailand.... whenever I take on referral students of this sort, I require a pool session anyway and a short quiz just to see where students stand and what they remember, not to mention just getting to know them and forming a bond. But since you've got a whole month in SE Asia, I don't suppose that another day or two on the course will make a huge difference.

[similandiver]

We combine open water courses and our 3 Day Similan liveaboard trips (except for Richelieu Rock...which is too challenging), so you can all go together on a trip, they can get certified and have a great time :)

[aquamarin]

Yes, we have also had quite a few guests doing their OW course during one of our 5-day cruises, BUT.....I strongly recommend reading the book on beforehand. Experience shows us that students find it difficult to focus and be motivated to study while the other guests are diving, relaxing and going to the beach. An advantage of doing the course on a live-aboard is that there are typically only one or two students at the time

Happy Sunday :)
Karin

[dangaignard]

We combine open water courses and our 3 Day Similan liveaboard trips (except for Richelieu Rock...which is too challenging), so you can all go together on a trip, they can get certified and have a great time :)

wow, that's sounds good. do you know the price for everything.

thanks

[similandiver]

The 3 day trips are 16,900 Baht (about $550) plus the Course - 8900 Baht (about $285). That is all inclusive and it will be the same instructor thoughout your journey.

I will PM you with more details....

[clibero]

Try this website, it has some info about the liveaboard trips available in Thailand

Similans Liveaboards & PADI Dive Courses, Scuba Diving daytrips in Phuket Thailand (http://www.scubadivingphuket.net/)

[Pdouble0k]

I'd preferred to go to koh Tao as it has got so many place that you can dive
I took my OP. Advance course in a few months ago for 3-4 days including
night dive and wreck dive with The Master Divers.

Master Divers | Koh Tao | How to become a dive instructor (http://www.master-divers.com/go_pro.htm)

And I also plan to go back to Koh Lanta for fun dive in October as well..

Ps. To be honest, I didn't work or earn any commission from any dive center at all.

Hope you will enjoy diving in Thailand. =]

[dangaignard]

Thanks for the info, while they will be taking the course, I'll be diving ! :cool2:

[Sanook]

Thanks for the info, while they will be taking the course, I'll be diving ! :cool2:

Keep in mind that it can be very crowded here over the xmas holidays, so plan ahead as much as possible. If you find your in Bangkok on New Years Eve, come to Rachaprasong intersection and celebrate with the masses.

Good luck and safe diving........