About bookings and payments

• How much does Gekko charge for its services?

There is no additional cost to you when we handle your bookings. Our prices for services such as dive courses are reasonable. Contact us to ask about costs for specific courses and dive trips you are interested in.

• Is a private course with Gekko more expensive than a group course elsewhere?

Yes, but only a little. You will find that the benefits of private instruction far outweigh the small difference in cost.

• How much does a typical daytrip cost and what’s included?

Daytrip prices vary according to three parameters:
   ♦ boat operator
   ♦ distance to the dive site
   ♦ number of dives offered
The least expensive trips include two dives to the nearest sites and cost about USD $85. The most expensive trips are by speedboat going to Phi Phi island and cost about USD $130. All daytrips include transfers from the main resort areas to the boat and return, a light breakfast, lunch, tanks, weights, and Divemaster services. Not included are equipment rental, extras such as soft drinks/beer, and transfers from areas not within the operator’s pickup zones.

• Is it possible to book a daytrip to a specific dive site?

Daytrip boat operators follow standard weekly schedules for dive site visits. Because we know when a boat is scheduled to go to Phi Phi, for example, we can make a booking based on the schedule, weather and sea conditions permitting. However, some areas, such as Racha Yai and Racha Noi, have a number of dive sites to choose from, so the captain and the tour leader will decide together which ones to go to, depending on weather, tides, and other factors, so specifying a particular site on either island is not possible. If you are interested in diving at a particular site on a particular day, we will try our best to arrange it for you.

• How much do liveaboards cost and what’s included?

Liveaboard prices range from a low of about USD $150/day to $350/day and up. Prices typically include transfers to the boat and back, meals, tanks, weights, and Divemaster services. Usually not included are equipment rental, marine park fees, and extras such as soft drinks and beer/wine.

• What if I want a private dive guide?

We can provide a private guide for both daytrip diving and for liveaboard diving. There is an additional daily fee for this service.

• What if I come with a group of divers? Is there any discount?

For groups of six or more we are often able to negotiate a group discount. The amount varies by the operator.

• Can Gekko help me choose a liveaboard to charter for my dive club or other group?

We certainly can! We will need some information about what your group’s objectives are for the dive trip and what your expectations are in terms of accommodations and services available on board.

• If I book a hotel through Gekko, will I get the same rate as I would if I booked online?

Yes, if you book online directly with the hotel, but if you book through an online hotel-booking consolidator, probably not. We do not specialize in hotel bookings but instead offer hotel booking guidance as an add-on service to our customers. Because our contracts with hotels specify the rates that we must charge to our customers, and because we do not book large blocks of rooms, our rates are not as low as those offered on many online pre-pay booking websites. The problem with online booking agencies is that customers must do all the research and are often disappointed with the result because they have nothing to go by but advertizing hype; online agencies have essentially no customer service capability. When we spend time working with you to find the perfect place for you to stay, we earn our commission for this work from the hotel itself when we make your booking--we never inflate the rates or work against your best interest. We request, therefore, that if you ask us to help you find a hotel that we be allowed to do the booking. If you get our advice and then use the information to book through another agency, someone else gets paid for the work we have done for you.

• How can I pay for my bookings?

Once we have everything nailed down for your trip, Gekko will issue an invoice to you. Some trips and services need to be pre-paid while others can be paid for when you arrive. Liveaboard trips, in particular, always need to be pre-paid. For pre-payment, we can accept wire transfers to Gekko’s bank account here on Phuket; we can also accept Western Union transfers. For payments effected once you arrive, you may use a credit card (Visa or MasterCard only) or pay in cash. Please be aware that credit card payments attract a 3% surcharge to cover fees the bank charges us.

• How do I know it’s safe to send money to Thailand to pay for my bookings?

We understand how uncertain you may feel when you send a wire transfer for hundreds or thousands of dollars halfway around the world. Let us assure you that we are a fully registered company under Thai law and are licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to work with foreign tourists. In order to obtain these government licenses, we have had to undergo inspections and interviews, so if ever in doubt about any Thailand-based tour business, look for the TAT logo on their website or ask for the agency’s TAT number. We would be happy to provide specific details regarding our licenses if you wish.

• What happens if I have to cancel?

Cancellations for daytrips can be made with relatively short notice without penalty (other than bank transfer fees). Liveaboard bookings can only be cancelled without penalty months ahead of the booking. The nearer the sailing date, the smaller the refund. No-shows are subject to the full cost of any trip. If you are pre-paying your dive bookings with Gekko, make sure to purchase trip insurance in case the unexpected happens and you are unable to make the trip. We will always try to get the most generous refund as we can for you.

 About Liveaboards

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