Phuket

Tyfon · #1 11-12-2004, 02:23

Anyone have any reviews of scuba operators in or around Patong I can use, at least during daylight...

I don't suppose there's much hope of finding a non-smoking boat (anyone?), but what's the walk-in business like for a solo diver. I assume there will be lots of lone travellers so buddying up on the boat might be easy, but I don't mind paying for, and perhaps prefer, a guided dive. Which are the real professional outfits and any to be avoided?

I'm looking at Kingfisher and Scandinavian in Patong.

Any night diving opportunities out there? Hopefully they get back in time for a quick round of mongering at peak hours?

Cheers,

Ken

eric-the-viking · #2 11-12-2004, 06:37

the are more dive companies than you can throw and smb at,
i have been on boats and been buddied up not a problem as they try to match with some of equal experiance if not more .
You could always ask Nicke (another kean diver)
by the way Nicke not long now have you decided which site we shall dive ?

LivinLOS · #3 11-12-2004, 11:31

I can reccomend warm water divers.. Very pro group with good boats.

Dive asia I hear good things about.. They seem to have shifted a lot (if not all) of thier staff up to Khao Lak for the similan tours.

Avoid the one on Soi Sansabai (opposite yorkshire in) cant remember the name but even thier own employees say they are not a good operation.

Tyfon · #4 11-12-2004, 15:13

Thanks guys,

Dive Asia price in USD, which currently makes them 20% more expensive than the others...

K.

LivinLOS · #5 11-12-2004, 20:00

What even with the dollar crashing ??? makes little sense ??

Nicke · #6 11-12-2004, 20:21

lol, I am a keen diver but still a beginner compared to yourself for example.
Shagrath (Norway) is also here and also like diving, I dont know if he is still around when you arrive but otherwise maybe some other BMs would like to join us.

I am looking forward it, I havent dive since last time you was here.

Dive companies I hear good about or have personal experience with is;
Merlin Divers (Kamala beach)
Sunrise Drivers in Karon/Kata
West Coast Divers (Good and modern fleet)
Scandinavian Divers (Good fleet for liveaboards)

The first two are good for taking PADI licenses with a good personal service, the latter two are good for daytrips once you already have your license. With Merlin I learned diving off the beach in Kamala and used longtail out to a small wreck. Much nicer than using a small pool to learn the basics. Small and very friendly company. Merlin also offer discounts to forum members.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric-the-viking

the are more dive companies than you can throw and smb at,
i have been on boats and been buddied up not a problem as they try to match with some of equal experiance if not more .
You could always ask Nicke (another kean diver)
by the way Nicke not long now have you decided which site we shall dive ?

rick · #7 15-12-2004, 23:21

what are the best beaches for diving??

too cool · #8 06-06-2005, 21:00

I want to do a scuba course while in Phuket & Sunrise divers looks to be my pick but why is everything in US$, why not Thai baht. So are there any companys where i can pay in Baht?
Thanks

stevem · #9 06-06-2005, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by too cool

I want to do a scuba course while in Phuket & Sunrise divers looks to be my pick but why is everything in US$, why not Thai baht. So are there any companys where i can pay in Baht?
Thanks

You will pay in baht, just that it will be the converted USD rate.