Tec holiday in SE Asia. Any recommendations?

[misterfrogfish]

Hello All,

I will be flying out to SE Asia next week. One way ticket. Hopefully for two to three months. Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.
I've posted this under tek-talk because it is only tec dive info I'm interested in.

Anybody got any ideas / locations for good tec dives?
Anybody want to dive vicariously with me? (I had to look that up, sounds intelligent, but I probably didn't use it the right way?).

Recommendations so far -
Thailand - Pattaya, Koh Tao.
Malaysia - Tioman
HMS Repulse & POW from Singapore or Tioman.

I promise trip reports. I will be doing a lot of sport diving as well but I think the locations will be easy to find as I go along.

Please don't hate me!

MFF.

[DevonDiver]

Tech Thailand

I would - 100% cast iron guarantee - recommend the lads on MV Trident (Koh Tao, Thailand) for some great tech diving whilst you are out here. I've done three liveaboard trips and a dozen daytrips with them so far and am planning some more for later this year.

They have a 'very special' exploratory trip lined up for the end of May, but run liveaboard trips regularly otherwise. It's a great Tech Diving boat, with on-board Trimix blending, surface supplied O2 on big deco bars, comfy air-con cabins and a good supply of beer....

These guys found the USS Lagarto several years ago and received a lot of attention for it. They've also hosted the likes of John Chatterton and Richie Kohler for several trips (they have a video promo with the guys on their site).

Oh yes...and I don't work for them or get commission on sales :-) LOL

[misterfrogfish]

Hello DD,

I had a look at this website a couple of months ago and got a reply from Richie Kohler. I don't have the email anymore but it was something like US$4000 for about 5 days of diving! This is a bit too much for me.

Is this the normal boat price or just to be on the boat with him?
I'll get back in contact with them.

If your in the area, what are the wrecks like off Pattaya?

Thanks,
MFF.

[Drmike]

Pattaya = ladyboys, scoobydoo divers,crap vis, German sex tourists, just a few so-so wrecks nothing great

Phuket = less ladyboys, 2 good wrecks, reef, better life quality than Pattaya (see Protech)

Tioman = reef, scoobydoo divers, no ladyboys, 6hrs from repulse/pow (in small uncomfartable converted fishing boat), 2hrs from couple ok wrecks, quiet island life (compared to above 2) (see B&J diving)

Singapore = only LOB diving weekends to world class wrecks incl POW/repulse (see whitemanta.com or friendlywaters (cheaper))

Koh samui = ladyboys, scoobydoo divers, reef,
koh tao = scooby doo divers, good tech wrecks off mv trident. (see MV trident, above)


Subic bay philliines = whole heap of good wrecks 1hr from shore


If I was looking for 'tech holiday for 2 months' Id probably move around. Good to base where theres lots of scoobydoo tourist divers as after days diving easy shag when you get tired of the ladyboys

[Drmike]

Originally Posted by misterfrogfish

Hello DD,

I had a look at this website a couple of months ago and got a reply from Richie Kohler. I don't have the email anymore but it was something like US$4000 for about 5 days of diving! This is a bit too much for me.

Is this the normal boat price or just to be on the boat with him?
I'll get back in contact with them.

If your in the area, what are the wrecks like off Pattaya?

Thanks,
MFF.

per day tech boat in region is normally <USD300/Day

[John63]

You could try sabang / Puerto galera in the philippines. Loadds of tech shops, DSAT , IANTD, TDI all represented. Shore based / day trips with deep warm water 5-10 mins from the shop.


Most of the operators can offer tech trips / liveaboards too.

I can recommend Tech Asia for OC, not sure about CC. Ask for Sam or Dave (both Brits)Tech Asia Diving Philippines

Tech dive / trimix dive is about 35 quid plus gas

Other shops definitely cater for CC.

Cheers, John

PS I'm going to be there from 14 may. for about 7-10 days then going up to Subic bay, (philippines) for wrecks.

[graham_hk]

Originally Posted by Drmike

Pattaya = ladyboys, scoobydoo divers,crap vis, German sex tourists, just a few so-so wrecks nothing great

Phuket = less ladyboys, 2 good wrecks, reef, better life quality than Pattaya (see Protech)

Tioman = reef, scoobydoo divers, no ladyboys, 6hrs from repulse/pow (in small uncomfartable converted fishing boat), 2hrs from couple ok wrecks, quiet island life (compared to above 2) (see B&J diving)

Singapore = only LOB diving weekends to world class wrecks incl POW/repulse (see whitemanta.com or friendlywaters (cheaper))

Koh samui = ladyboys, scoobydoo divers, reef,
koh tao = scooby doo divers, good tech wrecks off mv trident. (see MV trident, above)


Subic bay philliines = whole heap of good wrecks 1hr from shore


If I was looking for 'tech holiday for 2 months' Id probably move around. Good to base where theres lots of scoobydoo tourist divers as after days diving easy shag when you get tired of the ladyboys

Drmike knows his ladyboys and speaks the truth

You've pretty much missed the best diving in the region here in the Philippines.

Wrecks, reefs and other wetspots (not too many ladyboys)

Did a tell you I saw a whale shark at 33m on Thursday?

Graham

[Drmike]

Originally Posted by John63

You could try sabang / Puerto galera in the philippines. Loadds of tech shops,.

Loads tech shops in sabang (for training)- but little in the way of tech diving opertunities

near island theres only reef and deep reef no wrecks worth talking about

If you want to dive wreck theres a couple some ways away by lob


Sabang also has ladyboys and smells of pee

Subic and/or Coron bay would be on my list of best wreck dive locations in se asia - mainly because theres dozens of good wrecks all withing easy reach of shore (<1hr)

some of subics wrecks: Drmike : photos : Subic bay, Philippines - Jan 2006- powered by SmugMug

[Drmike]

Originally Posted by graham_hk

Drmike knows his ladyboys and speaks the truth

You've pretty much missed the best diving in the region here in the Philippines.

Wrecks, reefs and other wetspots (not too many ladyboys)

Did a tell you I saw a whale shark at 33m on Thursday?

Graham

Hey Graham,
any news on the RB80? have you checked out the satori or the AH1?

(sorry for hyjack)

[DevonDiver]

Originally Posted by misterfrogfish

Hello DD,

I had a look at this website a couple of months ago and got a reply from Richie Kohler. I don't have the email anymore but it was something like US$4000 for about 5 days of diving! This is a bit too much for me.

Is this the normal boat price or just to be on the boat with him?
I'll get back in contact with them.

If your in the area, what are the wrecks like off Pattaya?

Thanks,
MFF.

Hi,

Trident is pretty reasonable price-wise. Costs vary according to the duration and range of the trip - and, of course, helium use. However, you can expect a mid-range trip to cost around 40,000 baht. Local wrecks, dived over 3 days, within 1 days cruise and in the 50m range cost less.

I've never dived Pattaya, but I think the lads at Mermaids do some reasonable diving up there...but then they come down to the Trident for the real fun IMHO, the MV Trident IS wreck diving in the Gulf of Thailand.

The best thing is to contact Jamie or Stewart directly, let them know what you want - and when you want it. They love their diving and will move heaven and earth to get you the dives you want....

If you mention my name, I may get a free beer out of it! LOL

Cheers, Andy