International Trips - Thailand

Join Texas Scuba Adventures in Thailand, as we sail on the beautiful, Phinisi! The Phinisi is a traditional Indonesian sailing yacht and comfortably accommodates 18 divers / passengers. It also has a spacious deck with plenty of storage for everyone’s dive gear, and an outdoor dining area at the stern, that is covered and shaded so you can enjoy the breathtaking views while you eat.

Scroll down for more boat and dive photos!

The Diving:

Thailand offers some of the best diving in Southeast Asia. Year-round tropical warm water, exceptional underwater visibility and a vast variety of marine and coral life are all ideal conditions for divers.

Thailand’s diving trade marks are many, including whale sharks and mantas, Blacktip sharks, turtles and schools of barracudas. Usual macro suspects include seahorses, cuttlefish, nudibranchs, octopus, and pipefish. A great variety of underwater seascapes will tantalise even the most experienced diver.

 Over the course of 10 nights, the liveaboard diving itinerary combines highlights of the 6 nights Similan and Surin Islands itinerary with 4 nights Southern Thailand allowing you to experience the delights of Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Haa and Koh Phi Phi along with the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and the Surin Islands; Truly the Best of Thailand. 

Inclusions:

• Return, shared transfer between Phuket Airport, or local hotel, and the liveaboard on embarkation and disembarkation days
• 10 nights full board accommodation (based on shared occupancy)
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and fresh fruit
• Unlimited tea, coffee, fruit juice 
• Up to 4 dives per day
• AL80 tanks with airfills
• Weights, weight belt and SMB
• Disembarkation transfer
• Embarkation transfer

Exclusion:

• Flights to/from Phuket Airport
• Additional transfers
• Alcoholic drinks
• Sodas / Fizzy Drinks
• Laundry
• Nitrox (Package price: $315 USD, per EAN certified diver)
• Crew and guide’s gratuities
• SCUBA courses
• Equipment rental (minus tanks and weights)

Required Items:

• Travel and dive insurance
• Marine park and port fees. $115 USD, per person, to be paid on board

Itinerary:

Day 1: Embarkation at 1900 (7:00PM), followed by briefings and dinner

Days 2-9: Up to 4 dives per day, typically scheduled as follows:

• Light breakfast, followed by a briefing and dive 1
• Full breakfast, relaxation period, briefing and dive 2
• Lunch, relaxation period, briefing and dive 3
• Snack, relaxation period, briefing and dive 4 (where possible)
• Dinner

Day 10: Up to 4 dives, depending on itinerary route chosen by captain

Day 11: Disembarkation time depends on itinerary route and disembarkation point.

• Thap Lamu disembarkation: 10:00AM
• Chalong disembarkation: 2:00PM

Dive Sites:

Similan Islands National Park

Eastward sites

Sites on the eastern side of the Similan Islands tend to be sand covered fringing reefs predominantly made up of hard coral. The reef plateaus are around 5-10 metres deep with gentle slopes heading down to the reef edge at around 20-25m. Where present, currents on the eastward site tend to be relatively gentle. 

Westward sites

The dive sites on the west side of the islands are a little different. Giant granite boulders tumble to the sea bed easily reaching depths of 40m. Being more exposed to the open ocean,  these sites can be prone to strong and often unpredictable currents. The currents have kept the boulders free from a build up of sand, leading dive sites consisting of a variety of canyons, tunnels, swim-throughs, archways and caverns. The diving can be challenging but the increased chance of larger pelagics makes up for that. 

Surin Islands National Park

The topside scenery of Koh Surin, with evergreen forests, mangroves, and small beaches, surpasses even that of the picturesque Similan Islands. Under water the reefs of the Surin Islands have some of the greatest hard coral diversity in Thailand.

Koh Phi Phi National Park

Located 45km to the east of Phuket, the Moo Koh Phi Phi Archipelago consists of 6 islands, the largest and only inhabited of which is Phi Phi Don. Above water scenery is dramatic with huge limestone cliffs and sheltered coves and bays with white sandy beaches. Many of the dive sites are walls with depths ranging between 10 and 25 metres, covered in coral bushes and sea fans.

Koh Haa National Park

With a name that translates as Five Islands, there several dive sites around these amazing islands where you can explore pinnacles, walls, boulders, caverns, and swim-throughs to discover the varied marine life that have made these islands their home.

Hin Daeng & Hin Muang

These two pinnacles (translating directly as Red Rock and Purple Rock) reach down to over 70m in open ocean, and are best known for manta ray and whale shark encounters. Almost perpetual good visibility and dramatic topography combined with huge fish numbers make for excellent liveaboard diving.

  Keep hanging out with us as we take in some of the amazing sights that Thailand has to offer. We are going to spend an additional four days in Thailand as we visit Phuket, airplane beach, the Bug Budha, viewpoints you won't want to miss, the famous James Bond Island, a monkey temple, elephant sanctuary, caves, lakes and more! You definitely don't want to miss this!

Scroll down for tour photos!

Inclusions:

• Beautiful resorts nightly
• 4 nights of accommodations
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Transport
• All tours and activities listed
• Tour guide

Exclusion:

• Additional transfers
• Alcoholic drinks
• Sodas / Fizzy Drinks
• Breakfast
• Guide’s gratuities
• Trip Insurance (highly recommended)

DAY ONE – NOVEMBER 4

· Begin your trip by being picked up from the hotel in Phuket, heading towards Phang Nga Province. Your first stop will be at Sarasin Bridge, which connects Phuket Island to the mainland. After that, continue to Khao Lak Beach and then to Khao Sok Safari. Here, we will stop for Elephant feeding and bathing. After your adventures, check in at Caligo Resort, a private oasis nestled in nature near Ratchaphruek Dam. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner served at the resort.   

DAY TWO – NOVEMBER 5

  Join us for an exciting day exploring the lake!  Early Bird – Morning Safari Program: Start your day with a scenic ride on a traditional longtail boat.  We'll cruise to the dam, searching for wild animals along the stunning limestone cliffs and through the jungle. We will also visit the "Guilin of Thailand."  Next, take a jungle walk to discover Pakaipet Cave, also known as Diamond Cave, which is over 100 years old and features fascinating limestone formations.  Lunch - Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Raft House.  Depart to Beyond Skywalk at Nang She to experience breathtaking views during sunset and stay in the Forest Tent. Experience the thrill of the glass and steel skywalk, the newest attraction, where you can capture postcard-worthy moments of the Andaman Sea and Samet Nang She Dinner - End the day with dinner at the hotel.  

DAY THREE – NOVEMBER 6

  5:45 AM: Enjoy a beautiful sunrise with a cup of coffee and a biscuit while collecting your wonderful souvenir from the stunning view of Phang Nga Bay.  After breakfast, prepare to check out and depart for the Phang Nga Bay trip.  First, we will visit the Monkey Cave Temple, a famous site in Phang Nga Province that should not be missed.  Next, take a traditional Thai longtail boat as we head towards the mangrove area and explore the caves. Once you are on the sea canoe, you'll witness the breathtaking limestone caves, lagoons,  hongs, and stunning cliffs.  We will then head to James Bond Island, the iconic filming location for "The Man with the Golden Gun." Enjoy a seafood lunch at Panyee Island, a Muslim village where you can stroll around the floating village and experience their way of life.  End of program heading to Phuket, check in at Dewa Phuket Hotel at Nai Yang Beach.  Dinner on the beach with leisure  

DAY 4 – NOVEMBER 7

  Breakfast and Check-Out Preparation. First, visit the Airplane Landing Beach at Khao Beach. Enjoy a ride on a three-wheeled motorcycle to take in the viewpoint and capture some memorable photos with an aero plan.  Shopping in Phuket Old Town. Next, depart for Phuket Old Town, where you can enjoy some shopping and leisure time (lunch is not included).  Afterward, head to Chalong Temple and the Big Buddha Viewpoint. Finally, drop off at hotel to prepare to travel home! 

DAY 5 – NOVEMBER 8

TIME TO FLY HOME

· Complementary shuttle to the airport is provided