SUNRISE DIVERS KARON - anyone?

[banger_chris]

Hi Folks!

Has anybody been diving with the above Diving Company situated in Karon? They offer 4 day/night Liveaboards for $720,- to Similans and a 2 day/night Liveaboard around PhiPhi and Phukets dive sites. As i will be goin there in the middle of July im not yet sure where to go. I have been diving the Similans several times now but never in July. I thought the Similan National Park is cloed by the End of April due to the coming Rainy Season that often bring ruff waters.

Maybe there are some seasoned BM's around that went to a trip there in this period of time in the Similan Region. Dont want to go to PhiPhi SouthPhuket Area for diving cause i think the Similans are far superior.

Thanks for advice!

cheers,

Chris

[Spector]

Just go to any dive shop when you arrive and you will have a dozen or more choices daily of where you want to go. Once you find the trip you fancy and book it, then that operator will be the one that picks you up and runs the boat. All dive shops offer day trips, liveaboards , lessons etc… The only thing I found different between Dive shop A or B was that if you need equipment then the booking shop would supply that for you and you could negotiate that rate. Otherwise, all the prices are fairly consistent no matter where you go. So to be clear as mud....just because you book with your example "Sunrise Divers" doesn't mean they will be running the charter.

[banger_chris]

Hi Searanger!

Thanks for your reply. No matter what Diving Operator or Chartercompany the quality of Phuket Diving Operators is very good on the quality side. Thats for sure. Been goin to Thailand now for several times and never found one single Operator that would not be worth the money. Always very good service.

My main interest in the question is what dive you would choose in that time period of the year. The Similans and Burma Banks are very well known for good dive spots. Dunno about the South Side of Phuket and around Phi-Phi. I like taking loads of Marco Pictures from all the small marine sealife that is around. Similans are great for that kind of Photography.


It's hard to choose where you want to go in that limited holiday one has.

[nelsonone]

well you won't be going to the similans in July Chris....closed for diving from the end of this month until late October early November due to big seas and poor viz.........

Sunrise are a reputable and decent sized company........but I'm pretty sure they are just a booking agent.....not an operator...as in they don't run their own boats

Sea Bees, South Siam, Scandinavian, Santana, Dive Asia and a couple of others are the main operators in Phuket......

[banger_chris]

Originally Posted by nelsonone

well you won't be going to the similans in July Chris....closed for diving from the end of this month until late October early November due to big seas and poor viz

Hi Nelsonone!

Thats exactly what i thougt when i saw the Trip advertised on their webpage. I contacted them by mail and this is what i got back via mail:

-snip-

You can dive the Similan Islands in July with the Colona 6 liveaboard:

Scuba Diving Thailand Live-aboards - Similan Islands Diving tours on Colona 6

There is a trip from 15 – 19 July, price US$ 720 for 4 days/4 nights.

-snip-

Well first off the price is quite steep for a 4 nights in a shared bunk. I went on the Similans quite some times now and paid an average of around 14 - to 18k baht for a 4 days/4nights trip. (including Nationalpark fees). I think i will wait with a dive booking now and will do it when im there cause i think around July wont be so busy anyway and if i feel i want to make the trip (depends on weather) i just visit the office and tell them.

Will let you know if they operated the Similan Tour in July. Like said i never seen Similan Tours operated in that time of the Year. I think the last boats that visit are end of May. Then the National Park is closed.

Thanks,

Chris

[nelsonone]

well Chris......I have never known of an operator doing anymore than a day or overnight trip to the similans out of season.......in general the viz wil get you if the higher seas don't......

I wouldn't book anything until I got there and checked it out.......its not like they ae gonna be busy..........and I'd particularly check the fine print on refunds due to weather conditions.....

[banger_chris]

Good advise there Nelson. Wont be booking until im there. I'll be there for one month anyways. So plenty of time. Will split up the diving on this trip anyway. So i probably will do some 2 day/night trips and do them when the weather is O.K.

Thanks,

Chris