Phuket Thailand

Mosti · #1 18-01-2006, 22:27

Good afternoon,
after having completed my first trip to thailand, i like to come back asap. i thought patong beach/phuket would be nice. maybe for 2 or 3 weeks depending on my holidays. unfortunately i only will have time around june,july, august --> as far as i know the rainy season.

Just a few questions: Is it possible to go diving in phuket during that time ? if yes, any recommendations and maybe how expesive is it ?

is there something going on in these month --> bars/pubs... open ?

Thanks

Mosti

Crustasian · #2 18-01-2006, 22:47

IMO June,July and August are better than high season when it is packed and the queues are long.The weather is still good and the whole entertainment area is open.Prices are lower and guesthouses generally do good cheap deals.

The dive companies run a day trip shedule all year round.The only time diving won't take place is if there is a big storm in the area.The sea state going out to the site is a little rougher but the diving is still good.

klavg01 · #3 18-01-2006, 22:50

Mosti, I was last year in June and July in Patong for six weeks and also now in Dec. and Jan. for 9 days, I think it is better to go in june and July, because there are not to much people in Patong as in High season. It was now to crowdy, In low season it is very good in Patong , cheap and all the bars are open, first choice with the ladies. And also for diving is it very good season in June and July especially at Phi Phi. But it is warmer in Patong in Low season I think. greetings Jean-Pierre

Mosti · #4 18-01-2006, 23:29

hm. sounds interesting. will try to find out, when the summer-holidays at my university will be. will keep you posted

Greetz from germany

Mosti

Mosti · #5 19-01-2006, 18:15

can you recommend any diving bases ? i already did one course a few years ago, but would like to get the Advanced open water license. How much will it be (in euros or THB) ??

Thanks

Mosti

LivinLOS · #6 19-01-2006, 20:42

Probably favorite time of year for me..

Mosti · #7 19-01-2006, 20:58

ok, found out, that my holidays will start around the 7th of august

and will end near the 16th of october (university break). i fear the start of august will be to late right ?

if your statements above (e.g. bars open, dive bases operating) are alos true for august, i will think about getting flight for 5.8.06 - 19.8.06.

does the rain already starts then ???

greetz

Mosti

dogblower · #8 19-01-2006, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosti

can you recommend any diving bases ? i already did one course a few years ago, but would like to get the Advanced open water license. How much will it be (in euros or THB) ??

Thanks

Mosti

Dive Asia ( http://diveasia.com/ ) are a pretty good outfit. I see you've listed your location as Germany - this is a German company, but English won't be a problem if that's your preference. List price for the PADI Advanced course is 250 USD (around 10,000 baht) and I would guess that is pretty standard across the island.

dogblower · #9 19-01-2006, 21:07

It might have started raining by then, but so what? The bars will all be open, and worse things have happened to me than being stuck in a bar because of the rain. The diving will still be going on, so you're going to get wet anyway. Avoid perversions like golf and the beach and the weather doesn't matter.

Mosti · #10 19-01-2006, 23:45

i´m not (yet) a golf player

. and i´m not the ultimate 24/7 beach type either - so that won´t be the worst problem... as long as the things mentioned above are possible, it´s no problem for me. Thanks for your help

Mosti

dawsey · #11 20-01-2006, 02:25

http://www.alexmalcolm.net/weather_f...gust_2005.html

Have a look here for the weather this last August. Thats not to say it will be the same every Aug but it will give you an idea.

odysseus · #12 20-01-2006, 03:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosti

can you recommend any diving bases ? i already did one course a few years ago, but would like to get the Advanced open water license. How much will it be (in euros or THB) ??

Thanks

Mosti

It also depends where you want to stay on the island. I did the Advanced Open Water couses from a dive club on Kata beach but there are many choices to be had - SANTANA in Patong are well regarded and have German-speaking staff but plenty of others to choose from.
10kBaht about right but can vary a little depending on whether you want to do your elective dives fom longtail boat or on day trips (I even had the option of doing them straight off the beach - a bit cheaper)
Odysseus

odysseus · #13 20-01-2006, 03:33

BTW
forgot to mention, if you haven't been diving for a while (during the last 6 months) most will recommend a scuba tune-up course to bring you back up to speed.
It's done in 1/2 day and costs less than 2k as i recall
Dive safe

Odysseus