Scuba Phuket and Thailand Vacations

Frequently Asked Questions

• Liveaboard FAQs

Do people speak English there?

English is very widely spoken in the tourist destinations and you can enjoy a great holiday here without knowing a word of Thai. However as Nelson Mandela himself says, "Speak to me in a language I understand and you speak to my head; speak to me in my own language and you speak to my heart" - so a few words can get you a long way and you might end up not parting with too much cash for that plastic elephant memento. Grab a phrase book and learn the basics - it's amazing how far you can get with a "Hello, yes, no, how much, please, thank you, you are very beautiful!"

When is the diving season in Thailand?

Tourist high season is from November to April. Whether you are coming here for diving or not, we recommend you try to come from February to April. The weather is at its best, there are fewer tourists here, accommodation is much better value-for-money, and the seas their calmest. The dive sites around the Similan Islands are less crowded, and it's your optimum time to see something special on your Phuket scuba liveaboard trip, as it's whale shark and manta ray season. November to April is the best time for Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi Islands and Khao Lak. March to September is however the best time to be diving Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, so there is always a good time of year to scuba dive in Thailand.

Is there good scuba diving in Phuket itself or further afield?

The good diving isn't right off the beach here (although there are some very nice sites not far from the shores of the island). Mostly however people go on scuba day trips to the best sites like Kingcruiser Wreck, the Racha Islands and Shark Point as well as Phi Phi and beyond. There is enough good local diving to keep you amused for five or six days but if you want the cream of diving in Thailand then a liveaboard to the Similans or beyond into Burma is where you really should go.

How do I get to Phuket?

The island is located in the south of Thailand, on the Andaman Sea coast of the Thai - Myanmar - Malay peninsula. Phuket International Airport has direct flights to/from Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok - Thailand. Flights from Bangkok with Air Asia (www.AirAsia.com), Thai Airways (www.ThaiAir.com) and Bangkok Airways (www.BangkokAir.com) are daily, almost hourly, and take just over one hour. Return flights cost around US$ 150. There are also daily bus and train services that run between Bangkok and Phuket, providing a cheaper means of getting here. They are however, depressingly slow (12 hours).

Can you arrange accommodation for me in Thailand?

Our affiliated hotel reservation agents Agoda.com has 1,200 different accommodation choices throughout Thailand, including all the popular tourist destinations, and over 175 hotels in Phuket alone. Browse their website choices, use their live chat to ask your questions, and then simply use your credit card to make your hotel reservation.

From five-star beach resorts to low-cost hotels and lodges, there's something to suit everyone's taste and needs. And you can be certain that whatever option you select, it will be backed up with their 'Low Price Guarantee', ensuring you will always get top-dollar value for money.

Are there taxis at the airport?

The airport is about 40 kilometres from Patong Beach, and a 45 minute taxi journey. We can arrange airport transfers for you from US$ 20 one way.

Phuket also serves as the main gateway to Koh Phi Phi and Khao Lak, as well as a nearby alternative to Krabi Airport.

Where is the Dive The World shop?

Our dive centre is in the centre of Patong. Our address is 188/2 Thaweewong Road, Patong Beach, Phuket, but the centre is actually located on 'Soi Hat Patong' (meaning 'Patong Beach Street'), which must not be confused with the main beach road called 'Thaweewong Road'. Confused? No problem, Soi Hat Patong is a road that runs between the main road ('Rathutid Road') and the beach road. Coming from the airport just turn right off the main road opposite Siam Commercial Bank, then you'll see us about 200 metres down towards the beach on the left. Take a look at our map of Patong.

Is there much to do except diving in Phuket?

There is plenty to do for non-divers or for divers taking a break from the underwater world. Read all about it in our Phuket tourist information section.

What about diving in Koh Samui?

Koh Samui is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand and has many top class hotels. The diving is generally not as good as Phuket or the Similan Islands, but in the summer months, when the Andaman coast has its low season, Samui is a good bet for day trips to several famous dive sites. For more details about getting there and what to do, see our Koh Samui tourist information section.

Will there be much evidence of the 2004 Tsunami?

Different areas of the coast were affected to differing degrees. In Patong there is almost no evidence of it at all any more, whereas areas which were more damaged will take time to fully restore themselves to their former glory. What is certain is that the tsunami is in the past as far as everyone here is concerned and there is no reason why tourists shouldn't come and plenty of reasons why they should dive Phuket and its beautiful surroundings.

Occasional trouble in the south of Thailand - does that affect your areas?

There is trouble in the south of Thailand but if you look at a map of the country you will see that the 'deep south', where there are incidents of unrest, is a long way from Phuket and Krabi provinces. The restive states are those bordering Malaysia which see very little tourist activity and there has been no proof to date that foreign nationals are seen as a target by those seeking independence from the kingdom of Thailand. In other words - no.

Are you like Bono? Still haven't found what you're looking for? Then the answer is sure to be in our tourist information section ...