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Diva Andaman is an absolutely top quality boat, hand built and designed by divers who know what they want from a liveboard – not too many guests, lots of space to relax, a crew who will look after you, great food … Built with traditional materials in a typical South East Asian style, SY Diva Andaman also complies with all international marine safety standards. Wind combined with engine power. Her 400 square meter sail area makes SY Diva Andaman a real sailing boat with a 425 HP engine
used as a backup system.
The cabins are all on the lower deck, a mix of double and twin, all with en suite bathroom, fridge, TV, bathrobes, safe. All cabins are air-conditioned. On the main deck is a spacious dive deck. The crew will help carry gear down to a set of tank racks on the dive platform. There are 2 dinghies (RIB’s) used for the diving, so the guests can be dropped right on the dive site while the big Diva stays away from the
reefs.
Also on the main deck is an indoor saloon / dining room with the galley where food is cooked fresh right infront of you. The indoor saloon is easily big enough for all guests, but there is a lot more space! In front of the saloon is a large open deck which will be covered by a bimini / sunbrella to provide shade. And on the very top deck is a large seating and relaxation area where you can eat, enjoy your free bottle of champagne or have a massage – 3 of the crew are certified masseurs!
Although November through to April is the best time for optimum site conditions, the Thailand scuba diving season runs all year round. This is reflected in the period when liveaboards run to the Similan Islands (late-October to mid-May). The best time to see whale sharks is between February and May when there is a higher concentration of plankton. This time of year is also the best for manta ray sightings although the number of sightings varies from year to year.
The last few months of high season on the west coast, from February to May enjoy the warmest water temperatures with June to October being the coldest. However, the variation is not great and generally speaking water temperatures range throughout the season from 26 to 31°C. Visibility varies during the year but can often exceed 30m in peak season. Plankton blooms may reduce visibility but also bring in the biggest creatures.
May to October is off season on the west coast of Thailand. Visibility is down. Surface conditions are more variable and there is a greater chance of rain. Few liveaboard trips operate and many of those that do are cancelled due to lack of numbers. The more remote dive sites like Hin Daeng and Richelieu Rock are sometimes inaccessible during this period. At this time of the year the Gulf of Thailand has its own high season for diving, making it a good alternative.
Depth: 5 - >40m Visibility: 5 - 30m Currents: Can be strong Surface conditions: Can be rough Water temperature: 26 - 31°C Experience level: Beginner - advanced Number of dive sites: >250 Recommended length of stay: 1 - 3 weeks
November to April marks the tourist high season and the best time to come is from February to April regardless of whether you are diving or not. The weather is at its best with calm seas and, as there are fewer tourists, accommodation can be cheaper. The Similan Island dive sites are not so crowded, and it is the season when you are more likely to encounter a whale shark or manta ray on your Phuket liveaboard diving trip.
For visiting Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi Islands and Khao Lak, November to April is the best time. However March to September is the best time of year to dive the island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. So it is always a good time of year to scuba dive in Thailand.
Some of the dive sites in Thailand do have strong currents but this can depend on the time of year, time of day and the dive site itself. You will be advised by your dive guide in the pre-dive briefings but you will rarely have to swim against a strong current.
In Thailand's main tourist destinations English is widely spoken and understood and it is possible to have a fantastic holiday without worrying about communicating.
However if you speak even just a few words it can go a long way to better understanding the Thai culture and is really appreciated by the locals. Get yourself a phrase book and learn a few basic words and sentences - it could save you some money on your purchases too!
Although there are couple of nice dive spots not far off Phuket's shores, the best dive sites are to be found just an hour or two's boat ride away. Most people take a scuba diving day trip to such sites as Kingcruiser Wreck, the Racha Islands, Shark Point and the Phi Phi Islands.
There is plenty of great local diving to keep you busy for a week or so but if you want to experience the best diving Thailand has to offer then you really should join a liveaboard cruise to the Similan Islands or beyond into Burma/Myanmar.
Phuket Island is located in the Andaman Sea in the south of Thailand, on the Thai - Myanmar - Malay peninsula. There are daily direct flights to Phuket International Airport from Bangkok in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. There are frequent flights to/from Bangkok with Air AsiaOpens in a new window, Thai AirwaysOpens in a new window and Bangkok AirwaysOpens in a new window. The journey takes just over 1 hour. Return flight prices are very reasonable. You can also take a bus from Bangkok all the way to Phuket, or a train and a bus which can be cheaper but takes at least 12 hours of travel time.
There are taxis at the airport, the cheapest option being the metered taxis located outside the airport building. Phuket International Airport is 40 km from Patong Beach, and takes 45 minutes.
You can easily reach the Phi Phi Islands and Khao Lak from Phuket and there are more frequent flights to here than from nearby Krabi.
The Gulf of Thailand's popular Koh Samui is the largest island and boasts plenty of good quality resort hotels. The diving is not as spectacular as Phuket or the Similan Islands, but there are several good and well-known dive sites. This is a good place for a diving day trip during Phuket's diving low season. For more details about getting there and what to do, see our Koh Samui tourist section.
The devastating tsunami affected different areas and some corals were damaged but there is very little evidence of it remaining now. Patong Beach and the other main resorts have been completed restored. Tourists can come and enjoy diving in Phuket and admire the beauty of the natural surroundings.
No - the incidences of unrest that have occurred in southern Thailand are confined to the very 'deep south' which is a long way from the provinces of Phuket and Krabi. The provinces involved border Malaysia where very few tourists visit and there is no evidence that foreigners are targeted by those fighting for independence from the Kingdom of Thailand. If you take a look at a map of ThailandOpens in a new window you can see just how far away this area is.
A Thailand Liveaboard cruise is a diving vacation where you eat and sleep on the boat as it takes you to the different dive sites. All the diving facilities and living accommodation are housed on the boat. As the vessel stays at sea for the duration of the trip, remote dive sites can be explored and there is a greater opportunity to dive excellent sites that are not within reach on a normal daytrip boat. Thai liveaboard destinations are the Similan Islands, the Surin Islands, Hin Daeng - Hin Muang, as well as the Mergui Archipelago (Burma).
Most boats offer up to 4 dives a day with about 3 hours between dives to relax. The first dive is often early in the morning around 7 am and the last at sunset or slightly later for a night dive
You will be expected to dive with a buddy on your Phuket Liveaboard as the boats are recreational diving cruise charters, so follow the recreational scuba diving guidelines. You can dive without a guide if you prefer as long as you dive to a maximum depth of 40m, observe safe diving limits and have all the necessary equipment to dive unassisted, i.e. dive computer or timing device, submersible marker buoy and compass.
Generally speaking there is no problem to re-charge on a Thailand liveaboard. You can see details of the power sources that are provided on each boat by going to the 'Specs' information tab.
Most Thailand liveaboard boats provide 12 litre aluminium tanks with yoke or A-clamp international valves. If you have a DIN regulator you can either bring an adaptor with you or rent or buy one on arrival. It is possible to rent 10 and 15 litre tanks by booking in advance. Some boats have enriched air nitrox on board too. You can see the details of each boat on the 'Facilities' information.
It is no problem for you to rent a digital underwater camera on your Phuket liveaboard cruise. Please let us know at the time of booking to ensure availability.
The food selection and standard is usually excellent on Thailand scuba diving cruises. Have a look at 'Food' information of your boat for details of the type of food served on your trip.
Yes, you can take along whatever you'd like on your Similan dive cruise. Be aware however that you cannot drink alcohol before you've completed your day's diving.
We can arrange transfers to your liveaboard from your hotel in Phuket or from our diving centre in Patong. It is also possible to request transfers from the airport if you arrive just before the boat departs. Please let us know which departure point you would prefer before you arrive.
You need to bring all your personal diving gear except tanks, weights and your weight belts, a bathing suit, towel and toiletries. Warm weather clothes are fine such as shorts and T-shirts but you may want something a little warmer for breezy evenings. Sun protection is also a good idea.
If you suffer from sea sickness then it's a good idea to take your liveaboard cruise from February to April when the sea is at its calmest. All the charter boats stock anti sea sickness medication for your use too.
At night the boats tie up to mooring points at the islands visited on the trip. These mooring points are found in the islands' bays, sheltered from the open seas.
Not all the boats provide insurance but some do. Check the 'Safety' information for your boat to find out. For your own peace of mind we recommend you purchase your own dive insurance. Phuket now has 2 very expensive recompression chambers.
Yes, non-divers and snorkelers can enjoy a liveaboard cruise although they are really designed for divers. Many of the dive sites are suitable for snorkelling especially in the Similans.
The price for a non-diver is often 10% less which sounds like a small discount but you are taking a place that would otherwise be available to a diver. Please ask us for the exact non-diver price for your cruise.
Generally you are expected to share on a Similan liveaboard boat as sleeping space is at a premium. Occasionally if the boat is not full and there are an odd number of passengers you might be able to have your own cabin. If you insist on staying alone in a cabin then you will need to pay a single supplement. These vary from one liveaboard to the next from 50% to 90% of the published price. Always check with us for the best deal if you are travelling alone.
You have several hours of surface interval time between dives when you are free to do what you want. If the boat is not moving to another dive site you can explore the island. Please advise the boat's tour leader before disembarking.
It is entirely up to you if you want to tip or not in Thailand. If you have had a fabulous time and the service exceeded your expectations then it is nice to leave a tip to show your appreciation.
Yes definitely! The most common sharks in the Similan Islands are leopard sharks and whitetip reef sharks. Silvertip reef sharks and nurse sharks are more commonly seen on Burma liveaboard cruises. Whale sharks have been sighted fairly often some years so you may be lucky!
Manta rays encounters have been quite common in recent years, and you are practically guaranteed of seeing blue-spotted sting rays, marble rays and fantail rays.
