Thailand/Similans

I am interested in going to back to Similans as I have not been there since I was shooting film. I really want nice reef + fishy dives. One or two really nice sites would do for me - I want subjects not lots of different sites.

I am interested in what it is like at this time of year, and if anyone can recommend any boats (or good operators).

I have read this thread which is that not that positive.

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11475

Any comments would be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Alex

Herb has been a few times and usually uses the same boat but I cannot remember the name.

here's what i have heard recently from a friend who manages a liveaboard out there, and another friend who went the beginning december 05:

- many more mantas this year, but there seems to be more spottings at hin daeng, hin mueng than in the similans/koh bob/koh tachai/richelieu rock

- visibility is a bit down compared to the norm

- some sites have suffered (north point or christmas point for example), but tons of fish and corals, east of eden bommie is as beautiful as ever

- seems that diving has resumed outside island #1 which had been closed for years, or at least some boats have been diving out there

personally i have dived out there most of the time with scubacat (7 or 8 times now) on their boat called scuba adventure. it's managed by PJ a mad swede who does a lot of underwater videography. (pj's blogspot

it's a mid range boat, there are more luxurious boats out there, but there are also many many cow boy operations, especially now that a lot have suffered from lower than normal tourists last year and this year. (note that though they are camera friendly as PJ takes his video rig on each dive, there was no camera table last time i went, so it's working in the main room on the low table).

(i have no commercial interest in scubacat.)

of course you have other boats like the ocean rover, and the mermaids (my experience with them and their "salesperson" in patong is less than glorious and happy but that's just my experience), and also sea bees seem to have a good operation as well.

ah sunset at kata mama's eating green curry chicken..... miss it

Alex,

I was just there a few weeks ago, but no diving. I did talk to a few locals about the conditions, and they said it was good. I will be going back the second week of April for 4 nights on Mermaid I in the Similians. They are gearing more toward Photo/Video then the last time I was with them. I have been on 3 of their trips and always had a great time. Good dive planning, and good guides, good food, and cold beer. What more do you need??

As far as time of year goes, its my understanding that Jan. - Mar. is really the best of the high season. In Apr. '02 we still saw Mantas, Whale Sharks, Turtles, plus loads of small stuff.

Also, I saw the same trip report you pointed to over on Scubaboard, and there were plenty of people to provide positive feedback about the conditions.

try these:

http://www.subaqua-divecenter.com/kunden/24/index.php

It's a Sub Aqua Dive Centre, an international group, and this one is owned by an old friend of mine, Wolly Woerner and his business partner is a chap called Michael Bosch.

Very professional outfit, they have fast speedboats to get you out there from Khao Lak. Drop them a line, and they'll give you some honest feedback on the conditions there post tsunami.

cheers

Steve

High season runs between November to end of April. After that the seas may get a little rough.

The boat the I went on is out of business after the Tsunami but there are lots to choose from. Have a look at http://siamdivers.com . I booked my first trip there through them. The operators John and Bent are very knowledgeable.

We leave next week will post a trip report when we get back.

We booked thru these guys and they have been very helpful.

http://siamdivers.com

And here is the boat we are going to try. Only 10-12 passangers was the main selling point.

http://siamdivers.com/dive/philkade/index.htm

- many more mantas this year, but there seems to be more spottings at hin daeng, hin mueng than in the similans/koh bob/koh tachai/richelieu rock

Awesome. Heading there on March 25 on the Ocean Rover

I am interested in going to back to Similans as I have not been there since I was shooting film. I really want nice reef + fishy dives. One or two really nice sites would do for me - I want subjects not lots of different sites.

 

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I'll reply slightly off topic. If you're after nice reef and fish dives, I'd rather go to Manado than Similans. From the reports, the latter doesn't seem convincing, and apart from Richelieu Rock, I haven't been really impressed with the quality of diving there... But maybe I'm just jaded with so many nice dive destinations a couple of hours away

On the other hand, I've been going to Manado one or twice a year for the past 5 years, and have found that the reefs are getting healthier, and the density of fish is increasing. You still see the odd plastic bag floating off the walls of Bunaken , but overall, I reckon the quality of diving is improving constantly.

Cheers,

Mat

I have not been this season yet. Reports I have heard so far have been a mixed bag but all based on Nov/Dec when its usually crap anyway IMHO.

Will be trying to get down to Turatao next month to finally see what its like (not as good as the hype according to reports but hopefully will finally see for myself).

Thanks for all the helpful info. That is great.

Best regards,

Alex