About daytrip diving from Phuket

• How many dives will I do on a typical daytrip?

Most daytrips offer two or three dives.

• Can I do half-day trips?

Yes, if you go by longtail to a site around Phuket. Otherwise, all daytrips are full-day excursions.

• Where do the boats leave from?

Daytrip boats depart from Chalong pier, on the southeast coast of Phuket.

• How do I get from my hotel to the boat?

Dive ops pick divers up from the major resort areas on the island: Patong, Kata, Karon, as well as from Chalong.

• How long is the boat ride to get to the dive site?

The nearest dive sites take about an hour to reach, and the furthest take about three hours.

• Can I do daytrips to the Similans from Phuket?

Yes, you can, but it makes for a very long day. You will need to be in Khao Lak no later than 7:30 a.m., and it takes around an hour to drive there. Similans daytrips typically use speedboats, but it still takes an hour and a half to reach the dive site. You arrive back at Khao Lak in the afternoon and then will need another hour or longer to get back to your hotel.

• Will I be diving with a guide?

Yes, all dives here are guided. If you and your dive buddy would like to dive without a guide, you should ask the tour leader of the boat you are on for their policy.

• How many divers are in a group with a dive guide?

Typically between four and six divers are grouped together and led by a Divemaster or Instructor.

• How deep are the dive sites?

There is a great deal of variation, but in general sites along the eastern sides of islands are sloping reefs between 5 and 30 meters deep, so if you need to stay above 18 meters, it’s not only possible, but the dive will be very pleasant. Other sites, such as those on the western sides of islands and at submerged pinnacles and seamounts may be deeper.

• Is there current?

With a few exceptions, our daytrip dives are mainly drift dives, so the current is your friend! Our currents are related to the flow of the tides, so the boat captain and dive tour leader will do their best to select appropriate dives and dive times suited to the conditions of the current.

• What kind of food is there on the boat?

On most boats you will be served a light breakfast while you motor to the first dive site—fruit, bread, coffee and tea--and a full, cooked lunch before the afternoon dive(s). Lunch usually consists of several choices of main dish, rice, noodles, and salad. Fruit is always available. Water is offered at all times, while soft drinks and beer (after the last dive of the day) are sold at reasonable prices. If you are vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions, let us know and we will make a special request for you!

• What if I get seasick easily?

Sea sickness is a very individual affliction, and if you know you are a sufferer, make sure not to eat a heavy breakfast before you board a boat. Once aboard, find a place to sit as close to the water line as you can (usually in the middle of the boat on the main deck), as the rocking of the boat is less pronounced there. We always offer seasickness prevention tablets before each trip, so if you think you may become seasick, take one. It is also said that ginger helps to prevent seasickness, so you may want to bring along candied ginger to munch on through the day.

• Can non-divers come on the boat, too?

Sure they can. At most dive sites non-divers can strap on a mask and fins to do a little snorkeling in sheltered bays. Not all dive sites are appropriate for snorkeling, though, so make sure to ask.

• Am I supposed to give tips?

Tipping is not expected, but it is appreciated! There is always a tip box on board the boat, and any money you contribute to it is divided among the entire boat crew—captain, cooks, deckhands. The dive staff do not share these tips, so if you are happy with the attention your guide/instructor has provided, giving him/her a tip is an appropriate and welcome gesture.

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