Thailand Phuket Diving

[Okeanos]

Originally Posted by Pauldcat

Okeanos, the jonathan cruiser looks a good bet to start with, have you used them for any day trips? Cheers Paul

Jonathan Cruiser only does the Similan trips. There are many day boats, I have used Calypso, Euro Divers, Asian Adventures to name a few. They are all pretty similar. They take you where you are supposed to go, drop you in, dive, feed you and take you home again. Calypso make pancakes for the homeward bound trip

The normal day trips from Phuket are..
King Cruiser, Sharkpoint & Koh Doc Mai - these are also part of the Phi Phi overnighter trip
Shark Point & Anemone Reef
Racha Yai
Racha Noi
Calypso do a trip called Saturation Monday (4 dives) to Racha Noi
Hin Daeng/Muang

I usually book everything with Phuket Scuba Club and have done since '99 when I first went. I probably will again in Feb. Although they do not do any technical diving. Calypso can get nitrox for you if you want it for a day trip. Technical diving you need to speak to Scuba Cat (Patong) or Deep Blue (Rawai)

[Pauldcat]

Thanks for the info again will do JC and then some trips out of Phuket along with so stuff south of Phi Phi. Will let you know how i get on. Cheers Paul

[stevenl]

Few corrections guys:

Hin Daeng/Muang are recovering fast. The damage done was to the soft corals, which are generally recovering a lot faster than the hard corals. I would not disadvice going there. No daytrips from Phuket though at the moment (simply too far).

Calypso does not have the 4 tank racha Noi dive any more, all DC's here offer a maximum of 4 divers per guide.

Asian Adventures does not exist anymore.

For technical diving i would recommend Ocean Zone Divers.

All DC's should be able to provide you with Nitrox tanks.

[Okeanos]

Originally Posted by stevenl

For technical diving i would recommend Ocean Zone Divers.

I used to recommend Ocean Zone but after hearing good things about Deep Blue I now recommend them.

The last 2 times I popped into Ocean Zone, there was no-one in apart from someone taking messages. Both times I left a message for them to ring my Thai number as I wanted to do a couple of deeper dives and I have never called back. With that sort of customer service I won't try again.

[stevenl]

Yes, does not sound good, agree. Andy is a good guy though, and the courses taught are excellent. Problem is he is teaching quite often, and it is not always easy to find good staff, especially here in Thailand. Deep Blue is fine as well, Scubacat though I would not recommend for any course.

[Scubamedicnz]

The Junk Boat is outstanding for diving, food and company

[Okeanos]

Originally Posted by stevenl

Scubacat though I would not recommend for any course.

It depends who is the instructor at the time. They've had a few, I had at chat with them at the NEC, Vince is teaching at the moment, he alright.

[laura c]

I can second the recommendation for Jonathan Cruiser, had a really good trip with them last season. It is a fairly basic boat but great atmosphere, really friendly.

If you want a bit 'extra' (e.g. aircon cabins, nitrox) I'd also recommend Manta Queen I, through Khao Lak Diving & Scuba Diving Adventures in Thailand Liveaboards to Similan, they sail out of Khao Lak but they offer a pick up service from Phuket (which I think might be free but not 100% sure).

With regards booking when you're out there - it's true you might get a better deal last minute. When I was in Khao Lak last month there were signs up along the road advertising last minute deals.

[Pauldcat]

Hi Laura, thanks for that info JC seems to get some good reports was going to use SEA BEES still might for a day trip.What would you recommend out of Phuket day boat wise.I will pop in and see them when i get there(JC). I will be on my own so might get a last minute deal.Will be there in a couple of days.
Cheers Paul

[stevenl]

No last minutes on Jonathan Cruiser.

Regarding Manta Queen: true, does have Nitrox and aircon, but for the rest I would not call the boat more luxurious.

If you're looking at liveaboards in the price class of the Sea Bees boats, check out the Giamani. Good value for money, and also a reasonable chance of a last minute.

Daytrips: lots of choice, depends in general more on your destination preferences than on the boat.