Where should I go diving in Thailand?

[Quero]

Judy, your assessment is sure to be useful to others who read this as it serves to show that liveaboard diving in Thailand is very affordable. While you and others find the prices of our more expensive boats quite reasonable, (especially those divers from North America who are used to the prices of the Peter Hughes, Aggressor, or Explorer fleets), it is true that the Junk is among the most expensive of the boats on offer here. There are other boats--including ones in what we might call a "mid-range" price category--with space to sleep three in one cabin and two in another. Families like yours simply need a good agent to provide multiple alternatives :blinking:

 

[ryc]

One thing i would add, plan your diving to center around the half moon. Day 4-6 of your diving. Much better chances for quality viz and less currents. Especially important in some areas such as the Butang Archipelago (Lipe) Definitely checkout stonehenge, jabang, Koh Sarong, and 8 mile while there. You're not going to have clear blue water there but some excellent macro dives. Currents can be ripping so much so on the full moon there that you'd be lucky to find an op to take you out 2days before and after to 8 mile. Amazing soft corals on some these sites.

 

[JudyG]

Judy, your assessment is sure to be useful to others who read this as it serves to show that liveaboard diving in Thailand is very affordable. While you and others find the prices of our more expensive boats quite reasonable, (especially those divers from North America who are used to the prices of the Peter Hughes, Aggressor, or Explorer fleets), it is true that the Junk is among the most expensive of the boats on offer here. There are other boats--including ones in what we might call a "mid-range" price category--with space to sleep three in one cabin and two in another. Families like yours simply need a good agent to provide multiple alternatives :blinking:

Hi Quero - thanks for the info, and apologies for the slow reply.

We did have Bent & John at Siam Divers helping us to locate a liveaboard for our family for that trip, but unfortunately, likely because it was peak season, there was nothing available for us (in their inventory) that would not have involved one of our family of five being bunked in with a stranger. The Junk was our choice by default.

You are correct - my perception of relative value of our Thai cruise was based on some pretty spendy live aboards we have done (AA II, several Aggressor boats etc).

If we have a chance to return to Thailand (and we would love to - but never again over Christmas holidays), I know who to contact ;^)

J.