Phuket

Oggy · #1 15-04-2006, 23:58

Hi Guys,
anyone been scuba diving in Phuket. After watching "Open Water" have a few concerns about diving abroad now. Can anyone recommed a company that wont leave me as a sharks lunch but does have exciting dives. I have done some guest diving but not got any qualifications so a company that certifies all diving course would be great.

Cheers

Oggy

Tyfon · #2 16-04-2006, 00:48

I can't begin to explain anything if you are going to base your fears on Hollywood. Even if you did get left behind you can always get a ride back with one of the swarm of other boats around. There are also inumerable risks from conspiracies, alien invasion and, if you happen to have a third nipple, being shot by James Bond...

Here'sthe PADI guide to Thailand:

http://www.padidiveguides.com/THindex.html

and Phuket in particular:

http://www.padidiveguides.com/TH/And.../andaman.html?
http://www.padidiveguides.com/TH/And...st.html?d_id=7

Many dive shops in Patong will sign you up with a dive operation to take any course from Open Water upwards and they are a good deal cheaper, and warmer, than doing them in a reservoir in Staines.

Warm Water Divers (http://www.warmwaterdivers.com/) are a friendly operation, on Ratuthit Road (smaller office on Beach Road) a little way past Christin's and they can book you on courses and day-trips with Calypso Divers (http://www.calypsophuket.com/) who are a small and friendly company whose boat Greta serves excellent pancakes on the way back from dives and has a decent clean-air policy of restricting smoker scum to the upper deck only.

All operations pick up from hotels in Patong, usually around 0730, and run boats out of Chalong Harbour (half-hour ride by the time everyone's been collected).

With PADI you can do all your theory and pool sections of the Open Water certification in the UK andelect ot do the open water bits abroad (warm) at any PADI centre. If you're anywhere near Hammersnith, try Scub Training Ltd, Fulham Road (http://www.e-scuba.co.uk/).

Cheers,

K.

Oggy · #3 16-04-2006, 04:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyfon

I can't begin to explain anything if you are going to base your fears on Hollywood. Even if you did get left behind you can always get a ride back with one of the swarm of other boats around. There are also inumerable risks from conspiracies, alien invasion and, if you happen to have a third nipple, being shot by James Bond...

Here'sthe PADI guide to Thailand:

http://www.padidiveguides.com/THindex.html

and Phuket in particular:

http://www.padidiveguides.com/TH/And.../andaman.html?
http://www.padidiveguides.com/TH/And...st.html?d_id=7

Many dive shops in Patong will sign you up with a dive operation to take any course from Open Water upwards and they are a good deal cheaper, and warmer, than doing them in a reservoir in Staines.

Warm Water Divers (http://www.warmwaterdivers.com/) are a friendly operation, on Ratuthit Road (smaller office on Beach Road) a little way past Christin's and they can book you on courses and day-trips with Calypso Divers (http://www.calypsophuket.com/) who are a small and friendly company whose boat Greta serves excellent pancakes on the way back from dives and has a decent clean-air policy of restricting smoker scum to the upper deck only.

All operations pick up from hotels in Patong, usually around 0730, and run boats out of Chalong Harbour (half-hour ride by the time everyone's been collected).

With PADI you can do all your theory and pool sections of the Open Water certification in the UK andelect ot do the open water bits abroad (warm) at any PADI centre. If you're anywhere near Hammersnith, try Scub Training Ltd, Fulham Road (http://www.e-scuba.co.uk/).

Cheers,

K.

Excellent stuff just what I needed . You are a star.

Cheers,
Oggy.

CeeGee · #4 17-04-2006, 15:50

Just to reassure you, I have done a fair bit of diving around Thailand and Malaysia and the subject of sharks is just not a problem.If you do manage to see a shark it is usually some way off in the distance and more often than not swimming away from you.Generally I have found that if there is a good shark sighting, it is the talk of the dive boat all the way back home as shark sightings are just not as common as the films make out.If you do see the odd shark count yourself lucky.

The above does not apply if you dive off S Africa, home of the Great White and the meanest mothers ever.

Tyfon · #5 17-04-2006, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by CeeGee

Just to reassure you, I have done a fair bit of diving around Thailand and Malaysia and the subject of sharks is just not a problem.If you do manage to see a shark it is usually some way off in the distance and more often than not swimming away from you.

Well, the leopard(zebra) sharks are quite common, though they tend to be asleep on the bottom if and when you encounter them. One time we jumped in at Shark Point having been warned that the name was a misnomer and it was highly unlikely we would see any sharks, and dropped straight down onto a 2m leopard with a big hook in its mouth. But you're right, leopards are not a threat to people and there's not much else in the way of big elasmobranchae, at least not in the day-trip range from Phuket.

Any good ray sites near Phuket? I'm toying with the idea of an August dive trip...

LivinLOS · #6 17-04-2006, 16:30

Rays I am told are seasonal.. one of my dive buddies sees them a fair bit off some islands south east of here but cant remember the dive site names..

Tho it is to be said he dives for alivign and only sees them rarely so its not a high probablility perhaps.

Johnny Yen · #7 17-04-2006, 16:59

Topside: ‘Fackn’ ell, look at the size of that shark!!’

Corkhead: ‘Shark!!...what shark??’

55555555555.

Norrad · #8 18-04-2006, 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by CeeGee

The above does not apply if you dive off S Africa, home of the Great White and the meanest mothers ever.

I was about to say. I see sharks eveytime I go snorkelling about 100 metres from my house. Mostly raggies though

jimholio · #9 18-04-2006, 04:52

Hmm, when you people go diving in South africa and Australia and USA etc, what do you do if a hungry great white approaches? do you bring anything for defense against them? or is it just goodbye cruel world?

fotonut · #10 18-04-2006, 10:38

I went snorkeling with a dive boat on my last trip and had a blast. Never thought of being left behind though, sounds like something the ex would conjur up just to keep me think'n (he he)

Norrad · #11 18-04-2006, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

Hmm, when you people go diving in South africa and Australia and USA etc, what do you do if a hungry great white approaches? do you bring anything for defense against them? or is it just goodbye cruel world?

I've never seen one yet. Did have a close brush with a tiger shark once and nearly crapped myself.

chopperman · #12 18-04-2006, 12:31

Its the One you don't see that will have you for dinner!

Sharks just don't attack you, They stalk their prey first!!!

As for the Movie "Open Water" based on the disapearance of the Lonigans off the Coast of Port Douglas Australia!! mmmm!!

Well lets just say i was There!!! and they were Tiger shark dinner with out doubt..

wakeboycam · #13 18-04-2006, 17:02

Similan islands november 2005.

Crunch · #14 18-04-2006, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

Hmm, when you people go diving in South africa and Australia and USA etc, what do you do if a hungry great white approaches? do you bring anything for defense against them? or is it just goodbye cruel world?

Carefully watch the shark, make no sudden panicy moves.
Work out the sharks hunting pattern and try to see when he's lining up for the attack.
Slowly take out your diving knife,

cut your mate, then swim like buggery

Hep · #15 18-04-2006, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulUK

Slowly take out your diving knife,

cut your mate, then swim like buggery

Hahaha.. That one made me laugh Paul!

Dingo's · #16 18-04-2006, 21:18

Hey Oggy,

Since moving to Thailand I did my very first dive, did my open water course, advanced open water, rescue course and now my assitant instructor course. As you can see, that's a fair bit of diving since I started Sept last year.

NOT ONCE, have I seen a shark, except for a whale shark which was aweome.

You'll love it!

Oggy · #17 18-04-2006, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dingo's

Hey Oggy,

Since moving to Thailand I did my very first dive, did my open water course, advanced open water, rescue course and now my assitant instructor course. As you can see, that's a fair bit of diving since I started Sept last year.

NOT ONCE, have I seen a shark, except for a whale shark which was aweome.

You'll love it!

Cheers Mate,
looking forward to my first Thailand dives. I have been checking out a few sites and the diving does look awesome. Thanks for the replies about this subject.

Oggy.

jimholio · #18 19-04-2006, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulUK

Carefully watch the shark, make no sudden panicy moves.
Work out the sharks hunting pattern and try to see when he's lining up for the attack.
Slowly take out your diving knife,

cut your mate, then swim like buggery

5555 good one, BUT i was quite sincere with that post. I was thinking there would be some kind of sound device to scare them away or whatever? Or is the only option to be a hero with a small diving knife? If so then i wouldnt consider the divers odds very high?

Tyfon · #19 19-04-2006, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

5555 good one, BUT i was quite sincere with that post. I was thinking there would be some kind of sound device to scare them away or whatever? Or is the only option to be a hero with a small diving knife? If so then i wouldnt consider the divers odds very high?

There are several shark scaring devices on the market, mainly emitting electrical impulses that sharks find unpleasant. Shark Shield in one of the best known (http://www.sharkshield.com/).

I stress this is NOT necessary in Thai waters

jimholio · #20 19-04-2006, 02:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyfon

There are several shark scaring devices on the market, mainly emitting electrical impulses that sharks find unpleasant. Shark Shield in one of the best known (http://www.sharkshield.com/).

I stress this is NOT necessary in Thai waters

I read there are bullshark's in some Thai waters tho? - I believe quite rare. But isnt Bullshark considered a potentially dangerous shark?

From reading a bit i also read that there are only 4 potentially dangerous animals in the sea's around Thailand, and thats Stonefish, Lionfish, Bullshark and those Jellyfishes.

But it was also written that the sea's around Thailand is considered some of the safest waters to dive in around the world.

stevem · #21 19-04-2006, 04:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

I read there are bullshark's in some Thai waters tho? - I believe quite rare. But isnt Bullshark considered a potentially dangerous shark? .

Crossing the road is more dangerous than diving.

nkped · #22 19-04-2006, 08:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

From reading a bit i also read that there are only 4 potentially dangerous animals in the sea's around Thailand, and thats Stonefish, Lionfish, Bullshark and those Jellyfishes.

Whacking your shin on sea urchins (twice) on your first night dive is a bit unpleasant, but it gives you something to talk about and isn't THAT bad.

Tyfon · #23 19-04-2006, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

Crossing the road is more dangerous than diving.

Especially when your vision is restricted by your scuba mask...

Tyfon · #24 19-04-2006, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

But it was also written that the sea's around Thailand is considered some of the safest waters to dive in around the world.

There are very many man-eating sharks in Thai waters.However, unlike tuk-tuk drivers, they are very poor and cannot afford to pay local police chiefs the necessary bribes to allow them to feed on tourists...