Thailand, a land of vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, extends its allure beneath the waves. The Scuba News Travel Team is thrilled to present exclusive liveaboard deals tailored for exploring the Best of Thailand. Dive into the details of these exceptional offers:

• The Phinisi – Best of Thailand
  • Departure: 11 Feb 2024
  • Price: from €2,437.00
  • DEMA Special! Valid until November 30, 2023. Enjoy a 20% discount and explore the beauty of Thailand. (Chalong – Thap Lamu)

Thailand’s underwater realm, with its diverse marine life, coral gardens, and exotic dive sites, promises an extraordinary experience for enthusiasts. From the vibrant coral reefs of Chalong to the underwater treasures of Thap Lamu, each dive is a journey into a realm of unparalleled beauty. These exclusive liveaboard deals not only grant you access to this tropical paradise but also provide substantial savings for your extraordinary journey.

Secure your spot now and get ready to explore the exotic wonders of Thailand. Click, book, and set sail with The Scuba News Travel Team for an adventure that promises a kaleidoscope of colors beneath the waves. Your Thai underwater odyssey awaits!

See some other liveaboard destinations around the world at: https://travel.thescubanews.com

The Scuba News Travel Team carefully select from hundreds of liveaboard travel operators around the world. If you find a good deal at The Scuba News and make a booking, we may receive a small commission. This, however does not affect the price you pay.

Are you ready to embark on an underwater journey of a lifetime? The Scuba News Travel Team have scoured the depths of the internet to bring you the most enticing scuba diving liveaboard travel deals. Get ready to explore vibrant coral reefs, encounter fascinating marine life, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Dive into the details of these exclusive offers that promise not only unforgettable experiences but also unbeatable savings!

Indonesia – Explore the Hidden Wonders

1. Aliikai Voyage – North & Central Raja Ampat
   • Departure: 05 Dec 2023
   • Price: from €4,656.00
   • Itinerary: Leisurely exploration, snorkeling, and 1-2 dives per day (Sorong – Sorong)
   • Last Minute Special Offer! Valid for a limited time only. (20% OFF)
2. Ecopro Duyung Baru – Komodo
   • Departure: 07 Sep 2024
   • Price: from €2,784.00
   • Early Bird Special! Book now and save 25% on your Komodo adventure! (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
3. Emperor Harmoni – Best of Raja Ampat
   • Departure: 10 Jan 2024
   • Price: from €3,591.00
   • Dive into the beauty of Raja Ampat with an exclusive 30% OFF. Limited time offer! (Sorong – Sorong)
4. Indo Siren – Komodo National Park
   • Departure: 11 Jun 2024
   • Price: from €4,302.00
   • Secure your spot in Komodo National Park with a fantastic 20% Early Bird Deal! (Bima – Labuan Bajo)
5. Komodo Sea Dragon – Unleash the Adventure
   • Departure: 06 Jan 2024
   • Price: from €1,134.00
   • Also available for full charter booking. Dive deep into Komodo National Park and enjoy a 20% discount! (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
6. Samambaia – Raja Ampat North
   • Departure: 11 Dec 2023
   • Price: from €4,567.00
   • Last Minute Special! Book now for an incredible 20% OFF on new bookings. (Sorong – Sorong)

Bahamas – Discover the Mysteries of the Deep

• Bahamas Master – Grand Bahama and Beyond
  • Departure: 19 Dec 2024
  • Price: from €4,513.00
  • Seize the Early Bird Deal! Book now and enjoy a 20% discount on your Bahamas adventure. (Freeport – Freeport)

Egypt – Unveil the Secrets of the Red Sea

• Blue Horizon – Daedalus & St Johns
  • Departure: 03 Jun 2024
  • Price: from €1,087.00
  • Dive into the Red Sea with a special DEMA Show Offer! Save 20% for a limited time only. (Marsa Ghalib – Marsa Ghalib)
• Blue Melody – Best of Wrecks & Brothers
  • Departure: 05 Apr 2024
  • Price: from €862.00
  • Explore the underwater wonders with a 20% discount. Act fast, this DEMA Show Offer won’t last long! (Hurghada – Hurghada)
• Freedom III – Dive into History
  • Departure: 03 Dec 2023
  • Price: from €480.00
  • Explore Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Ras Mohammed & Tiran and enjoy a 20% discount. Contact us for details! (Umbi – Umbi)

Maldives – Paradise Awaits

• Blue Voyager – Best of the Central Atolls
  • Departure: 09 May 2024
  • Price: from €1,758.00
  • DEMA Show Offer! Secure your spot in paradise with a 30% discount for a limited time only. (Male – Male)
• Honors Legacy – Best of Maldives
  • Departure: 14 Sep 2024
  • Price: from €1,617.00
  • Take advantage of the Early Bird Special! Book now and save 20% on your Maldives adventure. (Male – Male)

Galapagos – Explore the Enchanted Isles

• Galapagos Aggressor III – Galapagos Islands with Wolf & Darwin
  • Departure: 04 Jan 2024
  • Price: from €4,991.00
  • Dive into the Galapagos with a 25% discount. Uncover the wonders of Wolf & Darwin. (Baltra – Baltra)
• Galapagos Master – Master the Galapagos 7-Night
  • Departure: 27 May 2024
  • Price: from €5,091.00
  • DEMA Special! Book by November 30, 2023, and enjoy a 20% discount on this exclusive 7-night adventure. (San Cristobal – San Cristobal)

Djibouti – Discover the Hidden Gem

• Lucy – Seven Brothers/Tadjourah
  • Departure: 25 Nov 2023
  • Price: from €1,599.00
  • Dive into Djibouti’s hidden wonders with a 20% discount. Limited time offer! (Djibouti Marina – Djibouti Marina)

Micronesia – Dive into a World of Wonder

• Palau Siren – Full Moon Spawning
  • Departure: 04 Dec 2024
  • Price: from €5,205.00
  • Enjoy an unforgettable experience with a 20% Early Bird Deal. Dive into Palau’s full moon spawning! (Koror – Koror)

Philippines – Immerse Yourself in Beauty

• Philippine Siren – Malapascua & Visayas
  • Departure: 17 Jul 2024
  • Price: from €2,690.00
  • DEMA Specials! Book before November 30, 2023, and enjoy a 30% discount on this extraordinary dive adventure. (Mactan – Mactan)

Solomon Islands – Dive into the Heart of the Pacific

• Solomons Master – Best of Solomons
  • Departure: 27 Feb 2024
  • Price: from €3,969.00
  • DEMA Special! Book now and save 30% on your exploration of the Best of Solomons. Limited time offer! (Honiara – Honiara)

Thailand – Explore Exotic Dive Sites

• The Phinisi – Best of Thailand
  • Departure: 11 Feb 2024
  • Price: from €2,437.00
  • Dive into the beauty of Thailand with a 20% DEMA Special. Valid until November 30, 2023. (Chalong – Thap Lamu)

Don’t miss out on these incredible offers! Secure your spot now and get ready to plunge into a world of underwater wonders. Click, book, and dive into the adventure of a lifetime with The Scuba News!

The Scuba News Travel Team carefully select from hundreds of liveaboard travel operators around the world. If you find a good deal at The Scuba News and make a booking, we may receive a small commission. This, however does not affect the price you pay.

See all of the Worldwide Liveaboards curated by The Scuba News Travel Team at: https://travel.thescubanews.com

• The world-wide partnership will see diving products made available on Klook
• Klook is currently the only Online Travel Agency (OTA) in Asia Pacific collaborating with PADI
• PADI and Klook will give 33 lucky winners the opportunity to earn a scuba diving certification 

PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) and Klook, Asia’s leading travel and experiences platform, today announced a world-wide partnership that will see PADI’s diving products globally integrated on Klook’s platform. Today, PADI has more than 7,200 diving products that span from certification courses, snorkeling, fun dives and more across the world. 

PADI is the world’s largest purpose-driven diving organization and Klook is currently the only OTA in Asia Pacific collaborating with the organization. Consumers can now book diving experiences in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, China and Singapore on the Klook platform, with more destinations to come online in the following months. 

Every year, about one million people go through the lengthy, detailed and technical process of planning a dive trip to get certified – from selecting the perfect dive site and haggling for dive packages to coordinating travel and no-fly times. The integration of diving products on Klook’s platform through API will help shorten a booking journey that could have taken days to just under 5 minutes. Consumers will be able to easily compare prices, check availability, read reviews, book and receive immediate confirmation – in a seamless way on one platform.

“Joining forces with Klook is set to simplify the journey to becoming a certified PADI Scuba Diver” says Manuel Kraemer, Vice President of Business Development for PADI Worldwide. “With 6,600 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts in 184 countries worldwide and with more than 7,200 products already bookable online on PADI.com, our collaboration is poised for an exciting expansion. As we progress, this extensive selection will become available for booking on Asia’s leading booking platform. Today, on Klook, you can seek adventure and save the ocean on nearly any holiday destination around the world”.

With a willingness to spend more on experiences, specifically nature and outdoor activities, young Asian travelers will want to make the most of their vacation and seek to include experiences like scuba diving into their plans. In 2023, China, Japan and Korea recorded the highest number of new PADI certified divers in Asia. In 2024,  the Asia Pacific diving tourism industry is set to not only fully recover but exceed the market size in 2019, and as demand continues to grow, the region’s revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.2% from 2022 – 2030.

Chuan Sheng (C.S.) Soong, VP, Corporate Development, Klook said, “We’re excited to announce this strategic partnership with PADI, and to bring greater access with a seamless booking experience to the diving community. There is tremendous enthusiasm and dedication for diving across Asia Pacific and we want to bring more joy to this community with our platform. At Klook, we continue to expand our offerings to create more exciting, unique and holistic experiences for our customers. This presents the perfect opportunity to inspire a completely new segment of travelers to the captivating beauty of the underwater world.”

In line with PADI’s mission to explore and protect the underwater world and Klook’s goal to bring the world closer together, PADI and Klook are launching UNIVER-SEA-TY, a pilot program to inspire newcomers to dive and give them the ‘fins’ to explore the magical underwater world. To kick start the program, 33 lucky winners will be given a chance to earn an Open Water Diver certification with PADI in their dive location of choice. 

There are three ways to enter the contest: 

• Via Tik Tok – Use the “Let’s Dive” scuba diving filter to take a video of yourself showing/telling us how much you want to dive 
• Via Instagram – Comment on Klook’s post and share why you want to dive and tag 3 friends
• Via Facebook – Comment on Klook’s post and share why you want to dive and tag 3 friends

Winners will be notified in December 2023 via the respective social media channels and receive an E-gift card to book their complimentary Open Water Dive Certification that they can redeem within the year. 

Thailand, situated along the Andaman Sea, is a haven for divers and underwater enthusiasts. Explore the stunning underwater world of Thailand with these liveaboard deals:

Giamani – 12 Dec 2023 – from €2,340.00 – Similan Surin (Chalong – Tablamu) – Special Autumn Sale! (20% OFF)

Similan Surin: The Similan Islands and Surin Islands are known for their spectacular coral formations, diverse marine life, and stunning underwater landscapes. Dive alongside majestic manta rays, curious sharks, and colorful reef fish. Giamani’s Special Autumn Sale offers a 20% discount, making this adventure even more irresistible.

Thailand’s Andaman Sea is a paradise for divers, with its clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life. These liveaboard deals provide you with a perfect opportunity to explore this underwater wonderland. Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Thailand and experience the magic of the Andaman Sea.

Are you ready to dive into the depths of the world’s most captivating underwater paradises? The Scuba News has scoured the internet for the best liveaboard travel deals this week, and we’ve got an array of thrilling adventures to tempt your inner explorer. Whether you dream of encountering vibrant coral reefs, exotic marine life, or underwater caves, we’ve got you covered. From Indonesia to Egypt, and the Maldives to Djibouti, here are the hottest liveaboard deals on offer.

Indonesia: Dive into the Heart of the Coral Triangle

Aurora – 20 Apr 2024 – from €4,430.00 – Raja Ampat – Halmahera – Lembeh (Sorong – Bitung) – (20% OFF)

Indonesia, the epicenter of marine biodiversity, is a diver’s paradise. Raja Ampat is famed for its jaw-dropping coral gardens, Halmahera boasts diverse marine life, and Lembeh’s muck diving is a photographer’s delight. Aurora’s 20% discount brings you closer to these underwater wonders.

Damai II – 04 Jun 2024 – from €3,578.00 – Alor (Kupang – Kupang) – Explorations Specials! Valid for new bookings. (20% OFF)

Alor’s untouched reefs and vibrant schools of fish await on Damai II. The Explorations Special offers the chance to discover this lesser-known gem with a 20% discount.

Ecopro Duyung Baru – 06 Aug 2024 – from €1,757.00 – Komodo (Labuan Fajo – Labuan Fajo) – Early Bird Special! (25% OFF)

Komodo’s fierce currents and incredible biodiversity make it a must-visit. Ecopro Duyung Baru’s Early Bird Special offers a 25% discount for those eager to explore this extraordinary destination.

Djibouti: A Hidden Gem in the Red Sea

Elegante – 16 Dec 2023 – from €900.00 – 7 nights/6 days Goubet Al Kharab/Gulf of Tadjourah (Djibouti – Djibouti) – €475 OFF! Rates Include Discount. Valid for new bookings.

Explore the pristine waters of Djibouti and experience the unique landscapes of the Gulf of Tadjourah at a discount of €475 on Elegante’s enchanting journey.

Maldives: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Emperor Explorer – 10 Dec 2023 – from €1,936.00 – Best of Maldives 7 Nights (Male – Male) – Special Price Offer! Valid for a limited time only. (20% OFF)

Discover the Maldives’ underwater magic at a special price with a 20% discount on Emperor Explorer’s unforgettable 7-night trip.

Emperor Voyager – 16 Dec 2023 – from €1,796.00 – Best of Maldives 7 Nights (Male – Male) – Special Price Offer! Valid for a limited time only. (20% OFF)

Emperor Voyager invites you to experience the “Best of Maldives” with a 20% discount on this limited-time offer.

Honors Legacy – 17 Aug 2024 – from €1,633.00 – Best of Maldives (Male-Male) – Early Bird Special! (20% OFF)

Get ahead of the game and enjoy a 20% discount with Honors Legacy’s Early Bird Special as you explore the Best of Maldives.

Theia – 06 Feb 2024 – from €2,798.00 – Deep South (Huvadhoo – Male) – (20% OFF)

For those looking to dive the uncharted depths of the Deep South in the Maldives, Theia offers a 20% discount for a limited time.

Thailand: Dive into the Andaman Sea

Giamani – 12 Dec 2023 – from €2,340.00 – Similan Surin (Chalong – Tablamu) – Special Autumn Sale! (20% OFF)

Thailand’s Similan Surin is a scuba paradise. Giamani’s Special Autumn Sale provides a 20% discount to explore this underwater Eden.

Philippines: Exquisite Coral Reefs and Vibrant Marine Life

Infiniti – 14 Dec 2024 – from €1,892.00 – Malapascua & Leyte (Cebu – Cebu) – Valid for a limited time only. Contact us for details! (20% OFF)

The Philippines beckon with its remarkable marine biodiversity, and Infiniti offers a 20% discount for a limited time to explore Malapascua and Leyte.

Resolute – 01 Feb 2025 – from €1,751.00 – Apo Reef – Coron (Anilao, Batangas – Anilao, Batangas) – Early Bird Special! (35% OFF)

Resolute’s Early Bird Special offers a generous 35% discount for those who want to explore Apo Reef and Coron’s underwater wonders in the Philippines.

Egypt: The Wonders of the Red Sea

Red Sea Aggressor IV – 30 Mar 2024 – from €946.00 – Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone (Marsa Alam-Marsa Alam) – $1700 OFF – Rates include discounts!

Experience the splendors of the Red Sea with a $1700 discount on Red Sea Aggressor IV’s Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone itinerary.

Snefro Target – 25 Feb 2024 – from €849.00 – Sinai Classic (Sharm El Sheikh – Sharm El Sheikh) – Up to €250 OFF on selected cabins! Rates include discount.

Snefro Target offers up to €250 off on selected cabins to explore the timeless wonders of Sinai Classic in Egypt’s Red Sea.

Don’t miss these exceptional liveaboard deals to explore the world’s most stunning dive destinations. Book now and immerse yourself in a world of underwater wonders. Happy diving!

See more worldwide liveaboard deals at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

Serves as the hub of full-fledged diving tourism in Thailand. It first established in 2004 with tremendous success, and this year is the 19th event due to a growing scenario of diving activity of the country and the potential of the diving attractions to scuba divers from all over the world.

Unlock Thailand’s Enchanting Underwater World

Thailand, famous for its vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and stunning landscapes, also hides beneath its azure waters an underwater world just as captivating. This week, we present liveaboard offers that will take you on a journey to explore Thailand’s hidden underwater treasures. Let’s dive into these exclusive deals and uncover what makes Thailand a must-visit destination for scuba divers.

Thailand Liveaboard Specials

Giamani – Hin Deang, Hin Muang, Koh Haa, Phi Phi & Phuket 2D/2N

• Departure Date: 03 Nov 2023
• Price: Starting from €668.00
• Offer: Special Autumn Sale! (20% OFF)

Thailand: A Dive Destination Like No Other

The Andaman Sea

Thailand’s dive sites are mostly located in the Andaman Sea, offering divers a wide range of underwater experiences. From vibrant coral gardens teeming with marine life to dramatic underwater landscapes and diverse ecosystems, this region has it all. The Andaman Sea is known for its crystal-clear waters, making it ideal for underwater photography and exploring the aquatic wonders of Thailand.

Vibrant Marine Life

The Andaman Sea is home to a plethora of marine species, including colorful reef fish, sharks, rays, and critters that delight macro enthusiasts. Divers can also encounter graceful sea turtles and, if they’re lucky, the elusive whale shark. The variety of marine life and dive environments makes Thailand a superb destination for divers of all levels.

Rich Cultural Experience

What sets Thailand apart from other dive destinations is the opportunity to combine diving with a rich cultural experience. Dive in the morning and explore bustling markets, visit historic temples, and savor delectable Thai cuisine in the afternoon. Thailand’s diverse culture and warm hospitality add an extra layer of enjoyment to your dive vacation.

Giamani Liveaboard

Giamani, the star of our featured liveaboard offers, takes you to some of the most mesmerizing dive sites in Thailand. From the famous Phi Phi Islands to the stunning Hin Deang and Hin Muang, this vessel offers a fantastic 2-day, 2-night adventure, perfect for those looking to get a taste of Thailand’s underwater magic. The special autumn sale makes this experience even more appealing.

Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just starting to explore the underwater world, Thailand’s diverse dive sites offer something for everyone. The combination of incredible marine life, beautiful underwater landscapes, and the chance to experience Thailand’s unique culture makes it a dream destination for divers. Grab your gear, hop on a liveaboard, and embark on an unforgettable dive adventure in Thailand. These exclusive deals are your ticket to discovering the hidden treasures beneath Thailand’s waves.

See more worldwide liveaboard travel deals at: https://www.scubadiverdeals.com

Are you ready to embark on an underwater adventure like never before? This week, we bring you a selection of exclusive liveaboard travel deals to some of the most captivating dive destinations on the planet. From the enchanting waters of Indonesia and the Maldives to the exotic charms of Egypt and Micronesia, we’ve got your next diving excursion covered. So, grab your scuba gear, pack your bags, and prepare for the journey of a lifetime.

Indonesia

Aurora

• Departure Date: 13 Feb 2024
• Price: Starting from €3,669.00
• Destination: Raja Ampat Central/South (Sorong – Sorong)
• Offer: Mantra Trust Special Trip! (20% OFF)

Damai II

• Departure Date: 10 May 2024
• Price: Starting from €3,587.00
• Destination: Alor Cruise (Kupang-Maumere)
• Offer: Explorations Special 20% OFF on individual bookings!

Ecopro Duyung Baru

• Departure Date: 01 Jul 2024
• Price: Starting from €2,466.00
• Destination: Komodo (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
• Offer: Early Bird Special! (25% OFF)

Ilike

• Departure Date: 20 Jan 2024
• Price: Starting from €2,528.00
• Destination: Raja Ampat (Sorong – Sorong)
• Offer: Valid only for new bookings. (20% OFF)

Komodo Sea Dragon

• Departure Date: 04 Dec 2023
• Price: Starting from €1,860.00
• Destination: Komodo National Park (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
• Offer: (20% OFF)

Maldives

Carpe Diem

• Departure Date: 17 Sep 2024
• Price: Starting from €2,383.00
• Destination: Deep North 1 (DRV – MLE)
• Offer: Early Bird Deal (20% OFF)

Emperor Serenity

• Departure Date: 03 Dec 2023
• Price: Starting from €1,848.00
• Destination: Best of Maldives 7 Nights (Male – Male)
• Offer: Special Price Offer! Valid for new bookings only. (20% OFF)

Honors Legacy

• Departure Date: 06 Jul 2024
• Price: Starting from €1,637.00
• Destination: Best of Maldives (Male-Male)
• Offer: Early Bird Special! (20% OFF)

Maldives Legend Sea Pleasure

• Departure Date: 09 Dec 2023
• Price: Starting from €1,949.00
• Destination: Best of Maldives (Male – Male)
• Offer: Special Offer! Valid until December 1, 2023. (25% OFF)

Scubaspa Yang

• Departure Date: 16 Dec 2023
• Price: Starting from €2,353.00
• Destination: Best of Maldives (Male – Male)
• Offer: Last Minute Offer! (20% OFF)

Thailand

Giamani

• Departure Date: 03 Nov 2023
• Price: Starting from €668.00
• Destination: Hin Deang, Hin Muang, Koh Haa, Phi Phi & Phuket 2D/2N (Chalong Pier – Chalong Pier)
• Offer: Special Autumn Sale! (20% OFF)

Philippines

Infiniti

• Departure Date: 16 Nov 2024
• Price: Starting from €1,897.00
• Destination: Malapascua & Leyte (Cebu – Cebu)
• Offer: Valid for a limited time only. Contact us for details! (20% OFF)

Resolute

• Departure Date: 04 Jan 2025
• Price: Starting from €1,755.00
• Destination: Apo Reef – Coron (Anilao, Batangas – Anilao, Batangas)
• Offer: Early Bird Special! (35% OFF)

Egypt

Jessica

• Departure Date: 23 Dec 2023
• Price: Starting from €850.00
• Destination: St. John’s Reefs (Marsa Alam – Marsa Alam)
• Offer: €250 OFF! Rates include discount.

Red Sea Aggressor II

• Departure Date: 30 Mar 2024
• Price: Starting from €1,470.00
• Destination: Northern Red Sea, Ras Mohamed, Straits of Tiran (Hurghada – Hurghada)
• Offer: $1211 OFF – Rates include discounts!

Serenity

• Departure Date: 04 Nov 2023
• Price: Starting from €1,040.00
• Destination: BDE – Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone (Hurghada – Hurghada)
• Offer: Last Minute Offer! (20% OFF)

Micronesia

Palau Siren

• Departure Date: 08 May 2024
• Price: Starting from €5,065.00
• Destination: Palau Islands (Koror – Koror)
• Offer: Early Bird Deal (20% OFF)

Honduras

Roatan Aggressor

• Departure Date: 10 Feb 2024
• Price: Starting from €2,274.00
• Destination: Roatan, Utila & Cayo Cochinos (French Harbor – French Harbor)
• Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)

With these incredible liveaboard offers, you can explore the hidden treasures of the underwater world while enjoying fantastic discounts. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, there’s no better time to plan your next dive adventure. Don’t miss out on these special deals and the opportunity to witness the beauty of marine life in some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. Book your liveaboard experience today and get ready for unforgettable underwater escapades!

See all of the latest worldwide scuba travel deals at: https://www.scubadiverdeals.com

Thailand, with its stunning coastline, lush islands, and vibrant marine life, is a tropical paradise for scuba divers. The country is renowned for its diverse underwater landscapes, from the crystal-clear waters of the Andaman Sea to the colorful coral gardens of the Gulf of Thailand. This week, we’ve combed the internet to bring you some of the most alluring liveaboard dive deals in Thailand, offering you a unique opportunity to explore the aquatic wonders of this enchanting destination. Whether you’re seeking thrilling dive sites or serene coral gardens, Thailand has it all. Dive into Thailand’s aquatic paradise with these exclusive offers:

Giamani – Hin Deang, Hin Muang, Koh Haa, Phi Phi & Phuket 2D/2N (Chalong Pier – Chalong Pier)

• Departure: October 27, 2023
• Price: Starting from €668.00
• Deal: Experience an unforgettable 2-day, 2-night adventure that explores some of Thailand’s most exquisite dive sites. Special autumn sale! Save 20% and dive into the wonders of Hin Deang, Hin Muang, Koh Haa, Phi Phi, and Phuket.

The Junk – Similan & Surin Islands (Thap Lamu – Thap Lamu)

• Departure: December 11, 2023
• Price: Starting from €729.00
• Deal: Dive into the Similan and Surin Islands with a 20% discount. Valid until October 31, 2023, this special offer is your ticket to explore Thailand’s vibrant underwater world.

The Phinisi – Similan & Surin Islands (Chalong – Thap Lamu)

• Departure: December 21, 2023
• Price: Starting from €1,413.00
• Deal: Embark on an adventure through the Similan and Surin Islands and save 20%. This special offer is also valid until October 31, 2023.

Thailand’s underwater realm is a mesmerizing blend of coral reefs, pelagic species, and an array of marine life, making it a paradise for divers. These liveaboard deals offer you the chance to dive into the heart of Thailand’s marine beauty at unbeatable prices. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a newcomer to the sport, these offers cater to various budgets and schedules. Don’t miss out on these incredible opportunities to explore the depths of Thailand. Book your Thai adventure today and get ready to immerse yourself in an underwater paradise you’ll cherish forever!

See more worldwide travel deals at: https://www.scubadiverdeals.com

Are you ready to embark on the underwater adventure of a lifetime? We’ve scoured the internet for the best scuba diving liveaboard travel deals this week, and we’ve uncovered a treasure trove of discounts and special offers in some of the world’s most captivating dive destinations. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a novice looking to explore the depths, there’s something here for everyone. From the pristine coral reefs of Indonesia to the exotic marine life of the Galapagos, these liveaboard deals are too good to pass up. Let’s dive right in!

Indonesia – Dive into Paradise

Aurora – Departing on January 10, 2024, you can explore the wonders of Raja Ampat Central/South from just €3,671.00. Plus, enjoy a 20% discount.

Damai I – For a last-minute adventure, join the December 3, 2023, trip from €4,496.00 and explore Alor to Komodo. New bookings get a whopping 30% discount.

Ecopro Duyung Baru – Plan ahead for a Komodo expedition on June 1, 2024, for just €2,467.00. Book early to get a 25% discount.

Ilike – Dive into Raja Ampat and Halmahera from March 26, 2024, for €3,792.00 and save 20%.

Jelajahi Laut – Don’t miss out on the October 28, 2023, adventure to Maluku & West Papua for only €4,326.00. New bookings can enjoy a 25% discount.

Mermaid II – Kick off the new year in style with a Raja Ampat adventure from January 2, 2024, for €3,040.00 and save 20%.

Scubaspa Zen – Dive into the Raja Ampat Expedition on January 8, 2024, for €3,919.00 and save 20%.

Maldives – Dive into Paradise Part 2

Blue Voyager – Explore the Southern Atolls on February 20, 2024, from just €2,659.00 and save 20%. Group specials are also available.

EcoPro Mariana – Book by November 30, 2023, for free Nitrox and a 25% discount in the Central Atolls.

EcoPro Moonima – Make the most of the Best of Maldives trip and enjoy free Nitrox and a 25% discount when you book by November 31, 2023.

Emperor Explorer – Dive the Best of Maldives for 7 nights starting November 26, 2023, for €1,799.00 and enjoy a 30% discount for new bookings.

Emperor Serenity – Join the Best of Maldives adventure on November 12, 2023, from €1,968.00, with a 20% discount for new bookings.

Honors Legacy – Get ready for the Best of Maldives from June 22, 2024, and save 20% with the early bird special.

Maldives Legend Sea Pleasure – Enjoy a special offer until December 1, 2023, and save 25%.

Sachika – Last-minute adventurers, don’t miss the Best of Central Atolls on November 4, 2023, with a 20% discount.

Scubaspa Yang – Another last-minute offer! Dive into the Best of Maldives on November 4, 2023, and save 25%.

Scubaspa Ying – Last-minute offer for Best of Maldives on December 9, 2023, and save 20%.

Sunseeker – Get the year started right with the Best of Central Atolls on December 30, 2023, and save 20%.

Theia – Plan ahead for the Central Route on January 6, 2024, and save 20%.

Egypt – Dive into History

Emperor Echo – Join the South and St. Johns expedition on December 14, 2023, for €836.00 with a 20% discount for new bookings.

Ghani – Experience the Golden Triangle Cruise from November 25, 2023, for €1,050.00 and save €200. Rates include discounts.

Red Sea Aggressor II – Dive the Northern Red Sea, Ras Mohamed, and Straits of Tiran on March 30, 2024, and save a whopping $1,211.

Seven Seas – Explore the South and St. Johns on November 23, 2023, and save 20%.

Thailand – Dive into Exotic Waters

Giamani – Take advantage of the Special Autumn Sale for a two-day, two-night adventure departing on October 27, 2023, for €668.00.

The Junk – Dive the Similan & Surin Islands from December 11, 2023, and save 20%. This offer is valid until October 31, 2023.

The Phinisi – Explore the Similan & Surin Islands from December 21, 2023, and save 20%. This offer is also valid until October 31, 2023.

Philippines – Dive into Tropical Beauty

Infiniti – Join the Malapascua & Leyte expedition on October 12, 2024, for €1,898.00 and save 20%. This offer is valid for a limited time, so contact us for details.

Galapagos – Dive into Natural Wonder

Nortada – Dive with whale sharks in Isabela, Darwin, and Wolf Islands on October 27, 2023, and save 16% with this last-minute deal.

Micronesia – Dive into the Pacific

Palau Siren – Explore the Palau Islands on March 25, 2024, and enjoy a 30% discount as part of the monthly special. Act fast, as this offer is only valid for a limited time.

Australia – Dive into the Coral Sea

Spoilsport – Dive the Coral Sea Exploratory from November 2, 2023, for €2,487.00 and enjoy $500 off in early bird specials (except for the Budget Cabin).

With such fantastic offers in these incredible dive destinations, there’s no better time to plan your next underwater adventure. Whether you’re chasing manta rays in the Maldives or exploring the rich marine biodiversity of Indonesia, there’s a liveaboard deal waiting for you. Book now, and start counting down the days until your next scuba diving expedition!

See more Scuba Diving Travel deals at: https://www.scubadiverdeals.com

Thailand, known for its stunning beaches, lush jungles, and vibrant culture, also boasts some of the most captivating diving destinations in Southeast Asia. With crystal-clear waters and a rich marine ecosystem, Thailand’s Similan and Surin Islands are a diver’s dream come true. Here, we unveil a liveaboard offer that will transport you to Thailand’s underwater paradise:

The Junk – 12 Nov 2023 – from €720.00 – Similan & Surin Islands (Thap Lamu – Thap Lamu) – Thailand Offers! Valid until September 30, 2023. (20% OFF)

Prepare for an adventure of a lifetime as The Junk invites you to explore the Similan and Surin Islands with a tempting 20% discount. Departing on November 12, 2023, this extraordinary journey will immerse you in the beauty of Thailand’s underwater world.

The Similan and Surin Islands are renowned for their thriving coral reefs, diverse marine life, and opportunities to encounter majestic manta rays and whale sharks. This special Thailand offer, valid until September 30, 2023, ensures you can embark on this underwater odyssey at an unbeatable price.

Thailand’s underwater world is a tropical paradise filled with vibrant corals and unique marine species. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a snorkeling enthusiast, this liveaboard offer is your gateway to discovering the wonders of the Similan and Surin Islands. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity—book your spot today and prepare to dive into Thailand’s tropical paradise.

Prepare to embark on an unparalleled underwater odyssey as we unveil this week’s exceptional liveaboard offers, curated from the far reaches of the internet. From the mystical depths of Saudi Arabia to the captivating Galapagos Islands, the tropical wonders of Indonesia to the historical treasures of Egypt, and the paradisiacal Maldives to the vibrant marine world of Belize, and not forgetting the hidden Caribbean gem of Honduras and the tropical allure of Thailand. Our carefully selected liveaboard deals encompass it all. Dive into the details of each destination below:

Saudi Arabia: Jeddah’s Hidden Treasures

• Almonda – 07 Oct 2023 – from €722.00 – Five Corals & Seven Sisters (Jeddah – Jeddah) – Last Minute Deal! (30% OFF)

Discover the secrets of the Red Sea with Almonda’s last-minute deal, offering a remarkable 30% discount on the Five Corals & Seven Sisters itinerary in Jeddah.

Galapagos: The Evolutionary Marvel

• Aqua – 03 Oct 2023 – from €2,996.00 – Itinerary A – Diving Trip (Baltra – Baltra) – (35% OFF)

Venture to the Galapagos Islands, where Aqua’s 35% discount on the Itinerary A diving trip promises encounters with the most iconic species in this living laboratory of evolution.

Indonesia: Paradise Beneath the Waves

• Aurora – 11 Dec 2023 – from €2,418.00 – Raja Ampat Central (Sorong – Sorong) – DIVE & SNORKEL) (20% OFF)
• Ecopro Duyung Baru – 05 Apr 2024 – from €1,857.00 – Komodo (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo) – Early Bird Special! (25% OFF)
• Indo Aggressor – 21 May 2024 – from €3,559.00 – Komodo National Park (Labuan Bajo-Bali) – Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)

Indonesia beckons with its diverse underwater world. Aurora offers a 20% discount for exploring Raja Ampat Central. Ecopro Duyung Baru presents an Early Bird Special with a 25% discount for the Komodo expedition, while Indo Aggressor invites you to the Komodo National Park with a 25% discount through their Travel the World Special.

Belize: The Caribbean Gem

• Belize Aggressor III – 18 May 2024 – from €2,388.00 – Belize Exploration – Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Cay, and Turneffe Reef (Belize – Belize) – Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)

Journey to Belize’s heart, and explore Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Cay, and Turneffe Reef with Belize Aggressor III’s Travel the World Special, offering a 25% discount.

Egypt: Dive into History

• Blue Horizon – 01 Jan 2024 – from €788.00 – Northern Wrecks & Reefs (Hurghada-Hurghada) – Group specials also available! (20% OFF)
• Blue Melody – 26 Jan 2024 – from €788.00 – North & Safaga (Hurghada-Hurghada) – Group specials also available! (20% OFF)
• Emperor Echo – 23 Nov 2023 – from €1,116.00 – Daedalus, Fury and Elphinstone (Marsa Ghalib departure) – Special Price Offer! Valid for new bookings only. (20% OFF)

Unearth the submerged history of Egypt with Blue Horizon’s 20% discount on Northern Wrecks & Reefs or North & Safaga. Alternatively, opt for Emperor Echo’s Special Price Offer of 20% off for exploring Daedalus, Fury, and Elphinstone.

Maldives: Atolls of Bliss

• Blue Voyager – 04 Oct 2023 – from €1,669.00 – Project Shark: Central Atolls (Male-Male) – Group specials also available! (20% OFF)
• Conte Max – 15 Oct 2023 – from €1,425.00 – Central Atolls (Male-Male) – Last Minute Offer! (30% OFF)
• Duke of York – 15 Oct 2023 – from €1,654.00 – Central Atolls (Male-Male) – Last Minute Offer! (30% OFF)
• Emperor Serenity – 10 Apr 2024 – from €2,680.00 – Best of Maldives (Male – Male) – Special Price Offer! Valid for new bookings only. (20% OFF)
• Maldives Aggressor II – 07 Jan 2024 – from €2,359.00 – Best of Maldives (Male – Male) – $1200 OFF – Rates include discounts!

The Maldives beckons with multiple offers. Blue Voyager invites you to join the Project Shark expedition with a 20% discount. Conte Max presents a Last Minute Offer with a 30% discount, while Duke of York offers a similar deal. Emperor Serenity extends a Special Price Offer with 20% off, and Maldives Aggressor II provides a whopping $1200 discount on the Best of Maldives adventure.

Honduras: The Caribbean’s Hidden Gem

• Roatan Aggressor – 09 Dec 2023 – from €2,060.00 – Roatan, Utila & Cayo Cochinos (French Harbor – French Harbor) – $999 OFF – Rates include discounts!

Uncover the hidden treasures of the Caribbean with Roatan Aggressor, offering an enticing $999 discount for exploring Roatan, Utila, and Cayo Cochinos.

Thailand: Tropical Paradise Awaits

• The Junk – 12 Nov 2023 – from €720.00 – Similan & Surin Islands (Thap Lamu – Thap Lamu) – Thailand Offers! Valid until September 30, 2023. (20% OFF)

Experience the allure of Thailand’s Similan and Surin Islands with The Junk’s enticing 20% discount, valid until September 30, 2023.

These exclusive liveaboard offers are your passport to some of the world’s most stunning underwater destinations. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a newbie, now is the perfect time to embark on your dream dive vacation. Don’t miss out on these incredible deals – book your adventure today and make a splash in the deep blue!

See more liveaboard travel deals at: https://www.scubadiverdeals.com

Looking for the ultimate adventure? Dive into our exclusive selection of liveaboard special offers that will take you to some of the most breathtaking destinations around the world. Whether you dream of exploring the vibrant coral reefs of the Maldives, swimming with sharks in the Bahamas, or encountering unique marine life in the Galapagos, we have a liveaboard trip just for you. Don’t miss out on these incredible deals available for a limited time only!

The Bahamas

Bahamas Aggressor

• Departure: 06 Jan 2024
• Price: From €2,068.00
• Destination: Exuma Cays and Southwest Eleuthera (Nassau – Nassau)
• Special Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3KGvzwn

Bahamas Master

• Departure: 03 Apr 2024
• Price: From €3,003.00
• Destination: Grand Bahama Adventure (Freeport – Freeport)
• Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (40% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3J7QzLo

Belize

Belize Aggressor III

• Departure: 20 Jan 2024
• Price: From €2,268.00
• Destination: Belize Exploration – Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Cay, and Turneffe Reef (Belize – Belize)
• Special Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/40CnnmB

Maldives

Blue Voyager

• Departure: 03 Sep 2023
• Price: From €1,939.00
• Destination: Best of the Central Atolls with Baa (Male – Male)
• Special Offer: Group specials also available! Contact us for more details. (20% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/42GIG7X

Emperor Voyager

• Departure: 14 Oct 2023
• Price: From €1,432.00
• Destination: Best of Maldives 7 Nights (Male – Male)
• Special Offer: Valid for New Bookings on a Limited Time. (30% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3GpH0pC

Horizon 3

• Departure: 04 Feb 2024
• Price: From €1,996.00
• Destination: Best of the Central Atolls (Male – Ari – Vaavu – Male)
• Special Offer: (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/40sgcwb

Virgin Islands

BVI Aggressor

• Departure: 27 Jan 2024
• Price: From €2,202.00
• Destination: Best of British Virgin Islands (Tortola – Tortola)
• Special Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3ZreryO

Costa Rica

Cocos Island Aggressor

• Departure: 18 Nov 2023
• Price: From €4,453.00
• Destination: Cocos Island Adventure (Puntarenas – Puntarenas)
• Special Offer: $1600 OFF – Rates include discounts!
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3NVSXpX

Sea Hunter

• Departure: 12 Nov 2023
• Price: From €4,793.00
• Destination: Cocos Island Expedition (Puntarenas – Puntarenas)
• Special Offer: Special offer valid for new bookings only. (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3rniX5Y

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Master

• Departure: 15 Jan 2024
• Price: From €7,938.00
• Destination: Master the Galapagos 10-night (San Cristobal – San Cristobal)
• Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3XAgQ9R

Philippines

Infiniti

• Departure: 27 Jan 2024
• Price: From €1,670.00
• Destination: Malapascua & Leyte (Cebu – Cebu)
• Special Offer: (25% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3K1dWqf

Resolute

• Departure: 01 Aug 2024
• Price: From €1,648.00
• Destination: Cebu (Visayas) (Mactan, Cebu – Mactan, Cebu)
• Special Offer: Early Bird Special! Valid for new bookings only. (35% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3FWLPqr

Indonesia

Komodo Sea Dragon

• Departure: 26 Jul 2023
• Price: From €1,247.00
• Destination: Komodo National Park (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
• Special Offer: (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/3ojg2Kk

Neptune One

• Departure: 04 Aug 2023
• Price: From €2,031.00
• Destination: Komodo North & South (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
• Special Offer: Last Minute Deal! (20% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3TR0zwt

Red Sea, Egypt

Red Sea Aggressor II

• Departure: 18 Nov 2023
• Price: From €1,335.00
• Destination: Northern Red Sea, Ras Mohamed, Straits of Tiran (Hurghada – Hurghada)
• Special Offer: $1056 OFF – Rates include discounts!
• Learn more http://bit.ly/3TMB3J1

Honduras

Roatan Aggressor

• Departure: 13 Jan 2024
• Price: From €2,135.00
• Destination: Roatan, Utila & Cayo Cochinos (French Harbor – French Harbor)
• Special Offer: Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
• Learn more http://bit.ly/40nNSM8

Solomon Islands

Solomons Master

• Departure: 30 Mar 2024
• Price: From €4,851.00
• Destination: Best of Solomons (Honiara – Honiara)
• Special Offer: Early Bird Deal (40% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/44ycRhr

Thailand

The Junk

• Departure: 23 Oct 2023
• Price: From €1,026.00
• Destination: Similan & Surin Islands (Chalong – Thap Lamu)
• Special Offer: Summer Sizzler -20% Off!
• Learn more https://bit.ly/46O29FE

The Phinisi

• Departure: 25 Oct 2023
• Price: From €2,209.00
• Destination: Best of Thailand (Thap Lamu – Chalong)
• Special Offer: Summer Sizzler! Valid until August 31, 2023. T&C apply. (20% OFF)
• Learn more https://bit.ly/44gSp53

Book now and embark on an unforgettable liveaboard experience at a fraction of the price. These deals won’t last long, so hurry and secure your spot today! Visit Scuba Diver Travel for more details and to book your dream liveaboard adventure.

Learn more at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

As the sun shines brightly and summer reaches its peak, avid scuba divers around the globe eagerly anticipate July—a month brimming with diving possibilities. With warm waters, excellent visibility, and an abundance of marine life, July offers an ideal opportunity to explore some of the world’s most breathtaking underwater landscapes. Join us as we unveil the best scuba diving spots for July, promising unforgettable experiences beneath the waves.

1. Komodo National Park, Indonesia: Embark on an exhilarating journey to Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its remarkable biodiversity. In July, the region boasts optimal diving conditions, offering crystal-clear waters, mild currents, and warm temperatures. Dive among vibrant coral reefs, encounter graceful manta rays, and witness the famous Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Komodo National Park promises a captivating underwater adventure for divers of all levels.
2. Socorro Islands, Mexico: Venture to the remote Socorro Islands in Mexico’s Pacific waters for a thrilling encounter with marine giants. July welcomes the arrival of humpback whales and whale sharks, making it an exceptional time to dive in this extraordinary destination. Prepare to be awestruck by close encounters with giant manta rays, playful dolphins, and hammerhead sharks. Socorro Islands’ awe-inspiring marine encounters make it a bucket-list destination for divers seeking unforgettable experiences.
3. Similan Islands, Thailand: Escape to the stunning Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea for a dive expedition like no other. July brings calm seas, excellent visibility, and warm waters, providing an ideal backdrop for underwater exploration. Dive into a wonderland of vibrant coral gardens, encounter leopard sharks, and marvel at the diverse marine life that inhabits these tropical waters. The Similan Islands offer an idyllic retreat for divers seeking natural beauty and unforgettable diving experiences.
4. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador: Embark on a journey to the legendary Galápagos Islands, where biodiversity thrives both on land and beneath the waves. In July, this UNESCO World Heritage Site welcomes divers with cooler waters, making it an ideal time to witness incredible marine encounters. Dive alongside curious sea lions, graceful marine iguanas, and schools of hammerhead sharks. The Galápagos Islands offer a unique blend of adventure and conservation, leaving divers in awe of nature’s wonders.
5. Raja Ampat, Indonesia: Uncover the wonders of Raja Ampat, an archipelago in Indonesia renowned for its unrivaled marine biodiversity. July brings optimal diving conditions with warm waters and excellent visibility, allowing divers to explore the vibrant coral reefs and encounter a vast array of marine species. From swimming with mantas to spotting pygmy seahorses, Raja Ampat promises an extraordinary diving experience in one of the world’s most pristine marine environments.

While planning your scuba diving adventures in July, remember to prioritize safety and responsible diving practices. Stay informed about local regulations, weather conditions, and conservation efforts. Prepare your gear, pack your sense of exploration, and get ready to dive into the depths this July. Happy diving!

Don’t forget to share this article with fellow diving enthusiasts, igniting their passion for underwater exploration. Dive into July’s depths and make this summer a season to remember beneath the waves.

Start planning your next getaway with our guide to 100’s of liveaboards worldwide at: https://www.thescubanews.com/liveaboards/

Connecting you with the underwater world since 2006 for expeditions, exploration and education.

The Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE) 2023 will take place at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur from 26-28 May.

Organised by AsiaEvents Exsic Sdn Bhd and running for the 17^th consecutive year, the Expo will occupy Hall 6 at Level 2 of the new venue, MITEC. The organisers of MIDE shared that not only will the event be bigger than previous years, but it would also has the required room to comfortably feature all of the latest products and services offered by local and international exhibitors from 14 countries.

Attended by visitors from Australia, Brunei, China, Denmark, Estonia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, MIDE2023 will feature more than 172 companies. Visitors can expect to see and learn about the latest in scuba-diving related products and services, conservation interests, as well as new lines including sailing expeditions and various watersports.  

Founder and organizer, Ms Ness Puvanes said it is evident the dive industry is resilient, having bounced back in 2021 in the midst of a challenging time. Since then, the dive industry has been enjoying increased interest and a growing community. In addition, she also noted that that the demand for boating and water sports have also enjoyed a strong comeback.

With 220 booths set up for the Expo this year, Ms Ness said this year is breaking records with the number of exhibitors getting involved to further elevate their brand awareness among water-lovers.

First timers

This year, MIDE will be welcoming 69 new exhibitors, including major associations such as the Malaysian Sub-Aqua, Malaysian Underwater Hockey Association and Eco District Association. Also new to the show is the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), who will be introducing a range of water sports activities. More and more manufacturers and distributors of sail boats, dive boats, car topper boats, rescue boat & kayaks at the show have also widen the interests of water enthusiasts visit the expo. 

Forecasts

This year, MIDE is expecting to welcome more than 15,000 water enthusiasts including 10,000 professionals. The show is also expecting to generate approximately RM25million in sales over the 3-day event.

WHAT’S ON DURING MIDE?

20% off MAS flights

As the official airline partner for MIDE, Malaysia Airlines is offering visitors travelling to KL for the expo a 20% discount on their flights booked by 26 May. The promo code MHMIDE20 must be applied when booking.

Dive Safety Partner

DAN World is MIDE’s official Diving Safety Partner. DAN World offers not only diving accident coverage for divers but is committed to helping enhance diving safety in Malaysia.

Staying Connected 

Themed “Let’s Stay Connected to the Ocean” this year, there will be a major focus on the ongoing conservation efforts to keep oceans healthy. This includes shining some light on the non-profitable organisations that are creating awareness on standard operating procedures for Dive Centres, as well as educating the community on single-use plastic and pollution, the increasing number of protected marine species, the impacts of climate change on the ocean, and many more projects.

Face-to-face networking

MIDE 2023 is set to welcome a host of business entrepreneurs, tourism boards, dive agencies, brand manufacturers and distributors who will utilize the platform to network and create new business opportunities and partnerships.

Dive Talks

Visitors will be hearing from the experts including TV personalities, who will take the stage to share their knowledge and experiences in the water. Topics include cave diving, underwater photography, marine conservation, sailing expeditions, underwater archaeology, health, dive insurance and more.

Dive Education: By Teens for Teens

There will also be teens taking to the stage to inspire others in the sport and their personal conservation efforts in improving the environment.

Deals & Promotions

Visitors will have a chance to chat with dive operators and tourism representatives; and can take advantage of the wide range of products and services including many exclusive deals on dive holidays; gear, courses and the latest technologies available today.

Lucky Draw Prizes 

Visitors who spend at least RM300 will be entered into the Purchaser’s Lucky Draw. Collectively, the dive holiday prizes are valued at RM50, 000 including a grand prize on a live-aboard worth RM22,000 are all up for grabs over the 3-day event.

MIDE Expo is endorsed by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

Unwavering Support

All exhibitors, suppliers and partners, Dive agencies and Media partners.

MIDE is an annual event aimed at growing and strengthening the Malaysian dive community and businesses. It remains the most well-attended event in Malaysia, and well-reputed for its trademark resilience and wide variety of top dive gear suppliers and international diving packages.

The expo will open from 10am to 7pm, Friday 26 May to Sunday 28 May 2023 at MITEC KL. Visit www.mide.com.my for tickets

Follow us on FB, IG & Twitter at hashtag of MIDEEXPO for latest update of the expo  

The Thailand Dive Expo is set to return this year from 18th to 21st May, promising to be an exciting event for scuba diving enthusiasts and marine conservation advocates alike. The expo, which will be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), will showcase the latest in dive equipment, underwater photography, and travel destinations.

Visitors can expect to see top diving brands such as Aqua Lung, Cressi, and Mares displaying their latest products, and have the chance to purchase new gear at special prices. There will be opportunities to attend seminars by renowned dive experts, where they can learn more about scuba diving techniques, marine biology, and underwater photography.

The Thailand Dive Expo is not just about diving equipment and techniques, but also about promoting marine conservation. The event will raise awareness of the importance of preserving the ocean’s ecosystems and the impact of climate change on marine life. Visitors can learn about marine conservation efforts from various organizations such as the Marine Megafauna Foundation and the Shark Guardian.

In addition to learning about marine conservation, visitors can also explore new dive destinations and travel options. The expo will feature travel agencies offering exciting dive packages to popular destinations such as the Similan Islands, Phuket, and Koh Tao.

One of the highlights of the Thailand Dive Expo will be the live demonstration of freediving, where skilled divers will display their ability to hold their breath and dive deep into the ocean. This event is sure to draw crowds of visitors who will marvel at the divers’ skill and grace in the water.

To ensure the safety of visitors and exhibitors, the Thailand Dive Expo will strictly follow health protocols and guidelines set by the government. There will be measures such as temperature checks, social distancing, and the mandatory use of masks throughout the event.

The Thailand Dive Expo promises to be an exciting event for anyone interested in scuba diving, marine conservation, and adventure. With its vast array of exhibitors, seminars, and demonstrations, visitors are sure to have an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore new dive destinations, purchase new gear, and connect with like-minded individuals at this year’s Thailand Dive Expo.

Learn more at: https://www.thailanddiveexpo.com

It is well known that in the past years, the scuba diving industry in Thailand had grown significantly, which can be measured by the growing numbers of scuba divers and various diving businesses. Part of it is the country’s existing natural environment, specifically the beautiful seas. With its rich natural resources either at the Andaman Sea or the Gulf of Thailand, all of which reflect beautiful underwater sceneries that attract thousands of tourists who are scuba diving lovers to continuously travel to Thailand. The other reason is that the widespread popularity of scuba diving activities among Thais.

Learn more in the Event Calendar or at: https://www.thailanddiveexpo.com/

It is well known that in the past years, the scuba diving industry in Thailand had grown significantly, which can be measured by the growing numbers of scuba divers and various diving businesses. Part of it is the country’s existing natural environment, specifically the beautiful seas. With its rich natural resources either at the Andaman Sea or the Gulf of Thailand, all of which reflect beautiful underwater sceneries that attract thousands of tourists who are scuba diving lovers to continuously travel to Thailand. The other reason is that the widespread popularity of scuba diving activities among Thais.

Reef-World’s Programmes Officers provide technical support for the development and delivery of assigned Reef-World Programmes. This Programmes Officer role is tied specifically to overseeing Green Fins digital products including but not limited to the public website (greenfins.net), Green Fins Hub and Green Fins e-Courses.

As a key member of the Programmes team, you will be helping to protect one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems – coral reefs – by building the knowledge, capacity, and motivation for the global marine tourism industry to become more sustainable. 

Programmes Officers supporting the Green Fins programme are passionate about protecting coral reefs and the incredible marine life they support because of their ecological value as well as for the benefit of our stakeholders – local communities, visitors, and future generations.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for an experienced Digital Product Specialist to oversee the Green Fins Hub and take it to the next level. The successful candidate will understand user needs, design ongoing product iterations and lead digital product development including testing, product strategy and delivery. Enhancements will be user-centred, intuitive, functional and achieve desired outcomes.

You should be a proactive and resourceful leader and team player, able to work independently and remotely across multiple time zones while maintaining strong communication with international team members. You will naturally approach tasks with a sense of curiosity, patience and the ability to consider the bigger picture impact of your work. You’ll be open to new experiences and adventures, adaptable and have a good sense of humour! 

For more information and full job description download this PDF.

Reef-World believes that a team with diverse experiences and backgrounds generates richer discussions and more nuanced thinking that will magnify our conservation impact. We strive to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from anyone with the required skills and experience: whatever their background or location. We actively encourage applications from those whose identities reflect the diversity of the communities and networks we serve and whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in the conservation sector. 

How To Apply

Please email a CV and a cover letter to apply@reef-world.org.

In your cover letter, please include how you meet the job specifications and why you feel you’re the best person to help us boost our global conservation impact. If you’re a diver, please include details of your qualification and the number of dives.

We will then get back to you after the team has reviewed your application and let you know if we would like to pursue your application.

Due to the expected volume of incoming enquiries, the charity does not have the resources to provide feedback on applications that have not been accepted. If you do not hear from us, then take note that we have decided not to take your application further, and we wish you the best of luck in your career. 

Applications close 30th April 2023 (23:00 UK BST time). 

Round 1 of interviews (online) week commencing 8th to 19th May 2023. 

Round 2 of interviews (online) week commencing 22nd May to 2nd June 2023 (you will be expected to complete a short assignment if you reach this stage).

• Location: Dumaguete City, Philippines (option for role to be partially remote)
• Salary: £12,000 GBP per annum
• Contract Length: Permanent (Full Time) following a 3-month probation period
• Job Start Date: 5th June 2023
• Reporting to: Programmes Manager
• Closing date for applications: 30th April 2023 (23:00 UK BST time). 

Learn more about Reef-World at: https://www.reef-world.org

Reef-World’s Programmes Officers provide technical support for the development and delivery of assigned Reef-World Programmes. This Programmes Officer role is tied specifically to leading the analysis of data to inform Green Fins programme delivery and development for impact.

The Reef-World Foundation is recognised as the leading voice on sustainability solutions for the marine tourism industry. Through its flagship initiative, Green Fins, Reef-World drives sustainable behaviours for environmental protection by providing low-cost and practical solutions to local and industry-wide environmental challenges associated with the marine tourism industry. Reef-World has implemented Green Fins in Antigua & Barbuda, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Palau, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. 

As a key member of the Programmes team, you will be helping to protect one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems – coral reefs – by building the knowledge, capacity, and motivation for the global marine tourism industry to become more sustainable. 

The Programmes Officers supporting the Green Fins programme are passionate about protecting coral reefs and the incredible marine life they support because of their ecological value as well as for the benefit of our stakeholders – local communities, visitors, and future generations.

What We’re Looking For

We’re on the lookout for someone who is an analytical thinker who’s passionate about understanding data and applying learnings to further our programmes to conserve coral reefs and the marine life and local communities they support. The successful candidate will have more than 3 years in conservation / environmental management data analysis and a proven track record interpreting this for, and executing, impact. 

You should be a proactive and resourceful leader and team player, able to work independently and remotely across multiple time zones while maintaining strong communication with international team members. You will naturally approach tasks with a sense of curiosity, patience and the ability to consider the bigger picture impact of your work. You’ll be open to new experiences and adventures, adaptable and have a good sense of humour!

For more information and full job description download this PDF.

Reef-World believes that a team with diverse experiences and backgrounds generates richer discussions and more nuanced thinking that will magnify our conservation impact. We strive to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from anyone with the required skills and experience: whatever their background or location. We actively encourage applications from those whose identities reflect the diversity of the communities and networks we serve and whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in the conservation sector. 

How To Apply

Please email a CV and a cover letter to apply@reef-world.org.

In your cover letter, please include how you meet the job specifications and why you feel you’re the best person to help us boost our global conservation impact. If you’re a diver, please include details of your qualification and the number of dives.

We will then get back to you after the team has reviewed your application and let you know if we would like to pursue your application.

Due to the expected volume of incoming enquiries, the charity does not have the resources to provide feedback on applications that have not been accepted. If you do not hear from us, then take note that we have decided not to take your application further, and we wish you the best of luck in your career. 

Applications close 16th April 2023 (23:00 UK BST time). 

Round 1 of interviews (online) week commencing 17th to 21st April 2023. 

Round 2 of interviews (online) week commencing 1st to 5th May 2023 (you will be expected to complete a short assignment if you reach this stage).

• Location: Dumaguete City, Philippines (option for role to be partially remote)
• Salary: £12,000 GBP per annum
• Contract Length: Permanent (Full Time) following a 3-month probation period
• Job Start Date: 5th June 2023
• Reporting to: Programmes Manager
• Closing date for applications: 16th April 2023 (23:00 UK BST time). 

Learn more about Reef-World at: https://www.reef-world.org

CDG divers Rob Franklin and Connor Roe have created a fascinating documentary which provides a rare insight into the skills, procedures and equipment that members of the British Cave Rescue Council use to rescue casualties deep within the cave environment.

The documentary includes extensive interviews with two of the key members of the Thai cave rescue team – British cave divers John Volanthen and Rick Stanton. John and Rick reveal details of the life or death decisions they made that lead to the successful extraction of all 13 members of the Thai junior football team.

Video jvolanthen

Steve Traviss, director at a waste and recycling company based in Newcastle embarked on the “whale” sized task of a Guinness World Record attempt with hundreds of other divers participating in an underwater rubbish cleanup.

Anyone travelling to the land of smiles will be blown away by the vibrant sunsets along the coast. Over the years however, the pristine beaches have become peppered with broken down plastic rubbish that has found its way into the sea (to the annoyance of locals and tourists).

The environmental conservation group Go Green Active decided to take action and worked together with the tourist authority of Thailand (TAT) to organise a monumental cleanup just off the coast of Patong beach, Phuket.

Steve said that Thailand is getting better at managing its green agenda and when he learned about the conservation dive he knew he had to go and help.

“My motivation for taking part was because of my passion from my job in waste management in that I am able to make a real difference to recycling rates and sustainability.”

More than 300 qualified divers helped out in the monumental cleanup of the reefs in the Patong bay area which have been damaged due to the litter in the sea. Marine waste can block sunlight to the coral and even lead to it being vulnerable to disease, greatly putting the habitat at risk.

WasteManaged, where Mr. Traviss works, is a waste management and recycling company based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Working there allows him to find new ways to focus on his passion for environmental conservation and help reduce pollution.

“This was my personal way of doing something to make a difference, combining my PADI Master Scuba Diver qualifications and experience with doing something tangible to help the cause in Thailand.”

On Saturday, 19 November, Steve joined hundreds of both local Thai and foreign divers from around the world who turned up to take part in the event together in an effort to collect as much marine debris as possible. Those involved in the dive said they wanted to play a role in spreading this message to reduce marine pollution.

“The highlight of the event was seeing the real buzz and determination of the organisers and the local Thai divers to raise the profile of what is happening in the ocean.”

Local authorities and organisations got involved in support of the message. The opening ceremony was honoured by Vice Admiral Youkongkaew of the Thai navy along with other prominent members of state and notable figures involved in conservation.

“It was well supported by the Thai navy and marine units who were there to ensure the security and safety of the divers as well as keep the area clear of small boats or jet skis as they pose a real danger to divers underwater who may be surfacing. Because of their presence and their detailed briefings the event ran like clockwork.”

“The highlight of the event was seeing the real buzz and determination of the organisers and the local Thai divers to raise the profile of what is happening in the ocean. …and the after party was also good!”

Not only has this experience demonstrated unity and integration between public and private-sector organistations from multiple countries, but it shines a light on how most of the pollution around us can go unnoticed and give an inaccurate portrayal of the true scale.

By the end of the day all the rubbish that had been collected by the volunteers was then weighed at a total of over 3 tons before being taken to a waste sorting site for treatment.

“I have been diving now for 25 years, having started in the icy cold 5 degree waters of Bute in Scotland and progressing to the 30 degree water temperature of the Andaman Ocean in Thailand. I know which I like the best!”

He said the diving community in Phuket are also now doing regular beach cleans, and there is much less plastic being dumped than even 2 years ago as they have now adopted the same rules as the UK in encouraging the use of re-usable bags.

Looking for something different? Tired of the everyday grind and feeling like a change of scenery? RAID may have the answer.

There are several opportunities for RAID certified instructors to teach in several of our dive centres in Thailand and South Africa.

RAID is expanding fast and our Regional Offices are anxious to keep up with the demand. Can you help?

RAID is looking for certified instructors at all levels from open water up through technical. However, the primary need is for active professionals interested in teaching our CORE PROGRAMS. If you are currently certified with another recognized agency and have no outstanding QA issues, XOver training to teach The RAID Way is available.

For full details, please contact: Keryn in Southern Africa | Chris in Thailand today!

For other inquiries visit: https://www.diveraid.com

Have you thought about becoming a real life mermaid? (Or merman, of course).

SSI offers a range of courses to help you express your mermaid magic underwater. From Model Mermaid, where you learn how to pose for realistic mermaid photographs, to Ocean Mermaid where you discover how to use your tail efficiently and safely in the blue.

If you are excited to get started on your mermaid journey, but you are unsure where to take the courses, we are here to help. We have put together a list of ten of the best SSI mermaid schools from around the world.

So get ready to slip into your tail, and let us take a look.

1.Cornwall, UK

Calling all aspiring British mermaids! Head down south to the stunning coastline of Cornwall and meet the guys from Aquacity Freediving. Offering SSI Mermaid, SSI Ocean Mermaid, and SSI Model Mermaid courses, as well as a range of other freediving activities, you are certain to become a pro-mermaid by the end of your trip.

Cornwall is one of the most beautiful spots in the UK and delivers rolling hills, sandy beaches, and great diving. Below the waves you will find kelp forests, jellyfish, and even seals.

2. Tulum, Mexico

Caribbean Mermaids are ready to welcome you to Mexico. Not only do they offer SSI Mermaid courses, but mermaid camps and tours of the famous cenotes, too.

Tulum is situated on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula and is well known for its Mayan ruins, white sand beaches, and unique diving. Not only does Tulum offer great sea diving, but it is also home to the cenotes. The cenotes are thousands of sinkholes of various sizes, often with surrounding mangroves, underwater caves, and fantastic lighting for mermaid selfies.

3. Bali, Indonesia

Bali Mermaid School is excited to introduce to you the art of swimming like a mermaid. They were the first SSI mermaid center in Indonesia, and they strive to raise awareness of ocean beauty by encouraging their students to look after the planet.

Bali is usually high up on the bucket list of divers, with many dive spots to explore around the island. Diving in Bali can bring exciting spots such as manta rays, mola molas, and shipwrecks. Tourists flock to Bali year-round to enjoy the white sand beaches and sizzling sunshine. 

4. Thailand

Super Dive Thailand offers diving experiences in Bangkok, Chonburi, and in Phuket. You can choose from SSI Mermaid, SSI Try Mermaid, and SSI Ocean Mermaid courses, as well as joining them for scuba diving and freediving excursions, too.

Thailand is a stunning location both above and below the waves. With white sand beaches, rich green jungles, and high mountain tops, Thailand has something for everyone. Diving in Thailand brings with it big marine life like whale sharks and leopard sharks, as well as excellent macro diving, with tiny treats such as seahorses and nudibranchs.

5. Nevada, USA

If you follow the SSI blog you may have seen our recent interview with Rachel Novak, SSI Mermaid and freediving instructor, as well as “Miss Mermaid Nevada”. Rachel runs Aquanauts Freediving which is based in Las Vegas and offers courses for aspiring mermaids.

Nevada may not be where your mind first goes when you think of diving, but it is actually home to some great dive spots. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a freshwater lake that has natural stone and even shipwrecks for divers to explore.

6. Hayman Island, Australia

SSI dive center, Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort is excited to welcome you to start your mermaid adventure with them. They offer in depth monofin training, as well as professional photos that you can take home with you.

Australia is home to some of the best diving in the world. Hayman Island is the most northerly of the Whitsunday islands, off the coast of Queensland. With captivating fringing reefs that host tropical fish species, clams, and turtles, Hayman Island is a beautiful holiday location for mermaids and divers.

7. Winnipeg, Canada

Blue Oasis dive center is based in Winnipeg and offers a wide range of diving courses… including mermaid courses! They teach mermaids of all ages and genders, and guarantee comfort and underwater confidence.

Diving in Canada might be a little cold, but it is also quite nice. Weak Hawk lake is around an hour and a half from Winnipeg and is the deepest lake in Manitoba. It ss excellent for taking courses and training dives. 

8. Panglao, Philippines

Freedive academy Panglao offers freediving courses and mermaid courses. Their experienced mermaid instructors are happy to take you along your journey from beginner, to expert mermaid.

Panglao is in the Philippines and attracts tourists year-round who come to lounge on its pristine beaches, and dive in its clear, blue waters. Panglao is known as Asia’s freedive capital as many divers flock there to train and fun dive in near-perfect tropical conditions.

9. Florida, USA

Heroes dive center in Florida offers scuba diving and freediving around the Dunedin, Clearwater, and Palm Harbor area. They also offer SSI Mermaid courses for wannabe mermaids and mermen!

Florida has very exciting and unique diving, from shipwrecks and reefs, to rivers and caverns. There is so much to explore under the surface in Florida, you are likely to dive alongside sharks, turtles, sailfish, and if you are lucky you might even spot a manatee!

10. Rab Island, Croatia

Kron diving invites you to join them in Croatia for some mermaiding fun. Offering the full SSI Mermaid course options, as well as freediving and scuba diving, all on the beautiful Rab Island.

Rab Island is home to thirty sand beaches, picturesque coves, and warm, clear waters. Diving around Rab Island brings with it gorgonians, fan corals, caves and shipwrecks. With lots to explore on land and under the sea, Rab Island is a great holiday location.

With all these incredible dive centers offering mermazing experiences, it is truly difficult to know where to go! But wherever you decide to go, we are sure you will have a blast learning how to mermaid!

CHECK OUT THESE MERMAID MAKEUP TIPS AND TRICKS TO REALLY LOOK THE PART! 

Learn more about the full range of courses available from SSI at: https://www.divessi.com

Thirteen Lives is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Despite its length of 2 1/2 hours, this film is currently the most popular in Canada. Both divers and non divers will enjoy this movie.

Ron Howard tells the story of the rescue of 12 boys aged 11 to 16 and their 25-year-old coach who were trapped in a cave in Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand, in Thirteen Lives. Shot in Queensland and Thailand, this movie recreates the terror, the thrill, the mud, mayhem, and a fury of elements, as well as the fortitude of humanity pitted against nature.

Read The Scuba News Canada Article on Thirteen Lives

• Director
  • Ron Howard
• Writers
  • William Nicholson (screenplay by)
  • Don MacPherson (story by)
• Stars
  • Viggo Mortensen
  • Colin Farrell
  • Joel Edgerton

Watch Thirteen Lives with Amazon Prime Video

Bleisure Hotel Chiang Mai’s First Five-Star Property to Debut Since the Global Pandemic’s Onset

Meliá Chiang Mai, a 260-key urban hotel in the heart of Thailand’s mountainous Chiang Mai, with some of the city’s most spectacular views and its highest rooftop bar, will open on 10 April 2022.

Owned by Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), and launched by Meliá Hotels International, Meliá Chiang Mai is the first five-star hotel to debut in Chiang Mai since the onset of the global pandemic. Situated on the lively Charoen Prathet Road, soaring over the River Ping and bustling Night Bazaar, the hotel is part of a roll-out of the Meliá brand in key destinations across Thailand that began with the launch of the nautical-themed Meliá Koh Samui, Thailand in January 2020.

With a design that pays homage to contemporary aesthetics and Chiang Mai’s charming history and culture, Meliá Chiang Mai is located six kilometers from the Chiang Mai International Airport, near an array of tourist attractions including the Old Town with its ancient moat and red-brick walls. The city’s oldest temple Wat Chiang Man, and the scenic Ang Kaew Reservoir are also within close proximity, with the elephant rescue center Elephant Nature Park, the stunning Mae Ya Waterfall, and UNESCO’s latest biosphere reserve Doi Chiang Dao in the mountainous surrounds. 

Housed in a 22-floor tower fronted by an adjoining seven-floor podium building, Meliá Chiang Mai’s host of top-notch facilities includes two restaurants, two bars, and two lounges, one with an executive lounge on the 21^st floor. Other facilities include Meliá’s signature YHI Spa with seven treatment rooms, a fully equipped fitness center, swimming pool, ballroom, four other meeting spaces, and a kids and teens club. 

DINING

The hotel’s pièce de résistance is a 360-degree rooftop bar on the 22^nd floor named Mai The Sky Bar. Comprising two bars connected by a glass bridge, the bar affords views of the River Ping to the city’s east and the famed Doi Suthep Temple on the mountaintop to the west. 

Under the stewardship of multi-award-winning executive chef Suksant Chutinthratip, the hotel draws on Meliá’s Spanish origins and celebrates Spain’s famed gastronomy at its signature restaurant Mai Restaurant and Bar, on the 21^st floor, and all-day dining restaurant Laan Na Kitchen. 

Seating up to 38 diners, Mai Restaurant and Bar specializes in sumptuous contemporary Lanna (Northern Thai) style dishes with Mediterranean influences, as chefs prepare each dish à la minute from an open kitchen. Signature dishes include ‘Baked salmon trout fillet with nam prik oung pimentos‘ and ‘Pappardella soi curry noodles with yellow curry chicken and homemade pickled cabbage‘.

Laan Na Kitchen serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine ranging from ‘Salmorejo con tomate triturado’ to ‘Fideuá de marisco’ in a vibrant marketplace setting. In addition to its indoor area seating 110 diners and patio area catering to 26 more people, Laan Na Kitchen also features four private dining rooms.

Mai The Sky Bar serves an array of authentic Spanish tapas and pinchos as well as a vast selection of beverages including imaginative cocktails crafted by skilled bartenders. 

The open-air Tien Pool Bar, located above the lobby on the second floor, embraces the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool ambience and lures guests with a variety of tasty snacks, many with a Spanish flair such as ‘Bocadillo serranito’, and a variety of refreshing beverages. 

Next to Laan Na Kitchen on the ground floor, Ruen Kaew Lounge serves a healthy, small bites menu under the ‘My Balance by Meliá’ program as well as a wellness-inspired afternoon tea, coffee, and more. 

The hotel also offers a 24-hour in-room dining menu including five distinct healthy breakfast sets, as part of ‘My Balance by Meliá’, as well as a Spanish, Chinese, and local breakfast selection.

​​In partnership with ‘Ori9in, The Gourmet Farm’, Meliá Chiang Mai is embracing the ‘farm to table’ social movement by establishing its own sustainable farm in San Sai District to harvest organic fruit, vegetables and herbs for its restaurants. Under its ‘360° Cuisine’ program, the hotel works closely with local farmers to improve sustainability, encourage ethical production, and help the farming community, give guests a peace of mind about where their food comes from and make communities and the overall food system more resilient.

Of the property’s extensive room portfolio, 38 rooms and six suites belong to ‘The Level’, an upgraded level of service and benefits that provides exclusive access to The Levelexecutive lounge. A sophisticated area for savouring an upgraded breakfast, complimentary all-day snacks, afternoon tea and evening cocktails, the lounge is also suited to casual business meetings. Private check-in and check-out at The Level Lounge, late check-out until 2pm (subject to availability), complimentary ironing of garments, and a 10% discount at the YHI Spa are among other The Level benefits. 

GUEST ROOMS AND SUITES

Meliá Chiang Mai’s nine categories of contemporary, bright, and homely accommodations include rooms ranging in size from 30sqm to 54sqm and suites starting at 62sqm and topping out at 113sqm. All accommodations feature a king-sized bed (with two single beds also available) and mod-cons such as a flat-screen TV with a selection of international channels, tea and coffee-making facilities, and ironing facilities. 

The lead-in ‘Meliá Room’ offers city vistas with west-facing rooms providing a window on sunsets over one of Thailand’s most iconic attractions, the historical Buddhist temple on Doi Suthep mountain, and east-facing rooms that take in sunrise over the Ping River. 

The ‘Meliá Corner Room’ and ‘Meliá Premium Room’ are both fully soundproofed and feature a chaise-longue that stretches the entire length of the glass wall.  The 54sqm ‘Premium Corner Room’ is fully equipped with a sofa, table and chairs, and modern amenities including a mini-bar and alarm clock. The Family Room, also 54sqm, offers ample room for additional beds, with connecting rooms available upon request. 

Located on the higher floors of the hotel, the 62sqm ‘Level Suite’ offers a round bathtub and sweeping views of Chiang Mai. Commanding 113 sqm on the 20th floor, ‘The Level Presidential Suite’ is the epitome of elegance and sophistication. The Level Lounge is available to guests staying in ‘The Level Room’, ‘The Level Premium Room’, ‘The Level Suite’, and ‘The Level Presidential Suite’. 

SPA AND WELLNESS

Meliá Chiang Mai’s YHI Spa will feature seven private treatment rooms, designed in an underwater theme, and a traditional Thai herbal sauna to help cleanse, detox, and ease muscle tension. 

The YHI Spa features four single treatment rooms, two double (or couples) treatment rooms, and one double room for Thai massage as well as a separate room for pedicures with two seats.

The spa’s professional therapists use ancient Asian healing wisdom combined with modern wellness techniques in a full range of body treatments from massages and scrubs to wraps and facials, leaving spa-goers revitalised and refreshed. Treatments are based on organic Thai wellness brand HARNN’s products, made with natural ingredients via methods handed down the generations of Thai artisans. 

Overlooking the outdoor swimming pool on the second floor, the gym includes premium fitness equipment from the latest Matrix line by Johnson including treadmills, elliptical trainers, and exercise bikes, as well as a free weights station and a collection of weights machines. 

MICE FACILITIES

An idyllic venue for events and weddings, the property’s extensive conference facilities include a 358-sqm ballroom named Yi Peng Grand Ballroom and two function rooms on the tower’s second floor above the lobby, and a 185-sqm multi-purpose function room on the podium building’s top floor, the seventh floor. 

The ballroom’s 173-sqm pre-function area is connected to the outdoor swimming pool and Tien Pool Bar. As part of the ‘Power Meetings by Meliá’ program, the Power Lounge features a pool table, drinks area and funky seating suited to down-time between meetings.

Khom Multi-Function Room, on the seventh floor, opens to a 222-sqm outdoor terrace that also lends itself to events due to views of Chiang Mai, the river, and the mountains. The Khom Multi-Function Room adjoins a secret garden, that makes for a welcome surprise during coffee breaks. 

“As one of the most popular places to visit on any travel itinerary to Thailand, we can’t help but be optimistic about the future of Chiang Mai’s tourism industry,” said Mrs Wallapa Traisorat, Meliá Chiang Mai’s owner and AWC’s CEO and President. “Trading on the mystic splendor of Northern Thailand, this flagship hotel is part of AWC’s efforts to build a better future for Thailand’s tourism landscape and economy amid the new normal.”

“Following the successful launch of Meliá Koh Samui, Thailand, Meliá Chiang Mai marks an exciting expansion of Meliá Hotels International in Thailand,” said Mr Ignacio Martin, Area Managing Director South East Asia of Meliá Hotels International. “To deliver Meliá’s warm Spanish hospitality, distinctive passion for service and focus on the customer’s wellbeing, this hotel’s launch is all the more remarkable in these trying times.”

“Meliá Chiang Mai will open with about 160 employees and will eventually employ a total of 240 people,” said Meliá Chiang Mai’s General Manager, Mr Edward E. Snoeks. “In addition to being hugely beneficial for local employees and their families, the launch of the first five-star hotel to open in the city since the start of the global pandemic is a much-needed morale boost for the local tourism industry.”

To contact Meliá Chiang Mai or to make a booking, call +66 52 090 699 or visit https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/chiang-mai/melia-chiang-mai/index.htm

To celebrate its opening, Meliá Chiang Mai is offering rates starting from THB 2,499 (USD 76) per night for a Meliá Room with breakfast. The offer also includes a 20% discount on food and beverage and YHI Spa treatments. For stays of two nights or more, the hotel offers a complimentary round-trip transfer from Chiang Mai International Airport, cocktail, and tapas plate per stay. Bookings of four nights or more come with a complimentary guaranteed upgrade to the next room category, for bookings from now until 30 April 2022for stays from 10 April until 31 October 2022.

On January 6, 2021 oil rig workers discovered an abandoned Chinese ship floating off the coast of Thailand, crewless. According to reports, Chevron’s oil rig workers noticed the vessel labelled ‘Jin Shui Yuan 2’ in Chinese characters in the Gulf of Thailand. Jin Shui Yan 2 was first found 100 nautical miles (115 miles) from the Thai city of Songkhla.

Surprisingly, the ship had no cargo or paperwork on board that may have been used to identify the crew. The ship’s lower deck had not been used in a long time, according to the investigation.

Following the unexplained finding, local authorities began working with Thailand’s marine department to prevent the ship’s oil leak from causing environmental damage. However, the ship sank while being towed by the Thai Navy near Sichon District in Nakhon Si Thammarat province owing to heavy winds.

Buoys were installed to identify the location where it sank, and fishermen were advised to use caution while sailing. A notice was also issued requiring the vessel to be salvaged within 15 days.

If the shipowner comes forward, he or she will have to claim the wreckage.

Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, a wellness-inspired resort that fronts Phuket’s longest stretch of sand with a chilled-out beach club and private pool villas has opened on Thailand’s largest island. 

The resort is the second five-star property to be launched in Thailand under Spanish hotel group Meliá Hotels International as part of a brand roll-out in key destinations across the Kingdom. 

Situated on secluded Mai Khao beach, commanding eight acres of Phuket’s northwestern coastline on the Andaman Sea, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao opened its doors for business on December 1.

The 30-suite and 70-villa resort, owned by residential real estate developer Phuket Villa Group, is a 15-minute drive to Phuket International Airport and near an array of attractions including Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, Sirinat National Park, and Wat Phra Thong temple. 

The resort’s design melds traditional and contemporary Thai aesthetics with a smattering of Mediterranean accents and uses a neutral palette of colours to complement Mai Khao’s sandy shoreline. High ceilings and decorative metal screens make the most of the natural surrounds and sunny, tropical weather.

Guest Suites and Villas

Meliá Phuket Mai Khao’s contemporary, light-filled and spacious Mediterranean-inspired accommodations – with a focus on simple, clean lines and indoor-outdoor living – comprise 30 one-bedroom suites and 70 one-bedroom villas. 

The resort has three accommodation categories. Each features a single bedroom and is differentiated by an anchoring amenity — be it an outdoor bathtub, a private plunge pool or a wellness arrangement.

All of the suites and villas feature outdoor bathtubs, open-air showers and outdoor terraces to take advantage of Phuket’s tropical climate, which averages 28 degrees Celsius year round. Exquisite gardens and fixtures such as white stucco exterior walls also ensure secluded enclaves and the utmost privacy.

The 78sqm suites are complemented by cabanas and the 85sqm one-bedroom villas have private plunge pools. 

At the top of the accommodation scale, the 15 wellness villas each feature an open-air Vitamin C shower, ultrasonic essential oil diffuser, GermGuardian air purifier, Tempur-Pedic pillows, aromatic salts for the outdoor bathtub, a fit ball and yoga mat. A highlight of staying at a wellness villa is a daily 60-minute massage. 

Mod-cons in all of the accommodations include individually controlled air-conditioning, 43-inch LCD TV with satellite channels, Bluetooth speaker, Nespresso coffee maker and gourmet capsules and more. 

The minibar has healthy snacks such as energy bars on request. Trays and tissue boxes made from banana leaves are among sustainable items in the suites and villas. 

Dining

The resort’s diverse dining landscape comprises four outlets under the stewardship of culinary director Luca Mancini and adds a dash of Mediterranean flavor to Phuket’s culinary scene. 

Adjacent to a beach pool framed with cabanas and sun lounges, the Gaia Beach Club celebrates Spain’s famed gastronomy by serving Mediterranean and fusion cuisine from an open kitchen and a creative cocktail selection from a long bar. 

A warm and intimate setting adorned with timber finishes, SASA is an elegant all-day dining restaurant that specialises in international and Thai cuisine. SASA offers a healthy, freshly made breakfast and delectable Thai set lunches and dinners. 

The Elyxr Café features a spacious lounge area with comfortable sofas and a selection of books and serves coffee and tea. 

The Pool Bar is a swim-up affair at the centre of the resort that serves a range of refreshments including fresh juices, smoothies and cocktails.

Spa, Wellness and Recreation

Privately tucked away behind the lobby and Elyxr Café, Meliá’s signature YHI Spa is 300sqm and home to five treatment rooms. In addition to its extensive menu of massages, facials, body scrubs and wraps, spa therapists also provide poolside and in-villa treatments. 

The resort will offer wellness packages that include healthy menus and freshly squeezed juices as well as activities such as meditation, yoga, and walks and cycling amid stunning natural scenery.

The fitness center is equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, and weights machines. 

The kids club Kidsdom has workshops to keep youngsters entertained and the resort also provides a babysitting service. 

Recreational pursuits on offer range from horse riding on the beach, to scuba diving at Racha Yai, Koh Dok Mai, Phi Phi Island and Shark Point, to golf at the nearby Blue Canyon Country Club. 

Facilities

The resort’s conference facilities include a grand ballroom and two additional multi-function rooms at 231sqm. The Grand Ballroom totals 131sqm and caters to up to 100 guests for a standing cocktail reception or 88 guests for a sit-down dinner. The two adjacent multipurpose rooms are each 47sqm that seat up to 16 guests for a boardroom meeting. 

The resort’s event planners provide customized catering to suit any occasion. Mini mindfulness sessions also enhance the wellbeing of attendees. 

“Meliá Phuket Mai Khao’s debut marks such an exciting time for Phuket, signaling our genuine optimism for the future of tourism on Thailand’s largest island,” said Mr Maetapong Upatising, Phuket Villa Group’s Managing Director.

“The team and I are thrilled we could bring such a significant hotel debut to fruition during these unprecedented times and we’re delighted with the interest in our resort so far despite the difficulties stemming from the global pandemic,” said Ms Magdalena Martorell, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao’s General Manager. 

“With its distinct focus on guest wellbeing, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao brings Meliá’s sunny Spanish hospitality and passion for service to Phuket, as well as stringent health and safety measures to combat COVID-19,” said Mr Ignacio Martin, Area Managing Director South East Asia of Meliá Hotels International. 

Elsewhere in Thailand, Meliá Koh Samui debuted in January 2020 with a nautical theme underscored by boat suites made from refurbished merchant vessels. Meliá Chiang Mai is slated to open in April 2022 with a rooftop bar featuring two bars connected by a glass bridge. INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, the first property of its brand in Thailand, with 176 guestrooms, is due to open 2023.

For more information about Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, visit www.melia.com

Meliá Phuket Mai Khao has launched a seven-night sandbox package priced from THB 38,500 (USD 1155) for direct bookings before March 24, 2022 for stays before March 31, 2022. The offer includes daily breakfast for two, a one-way airport transfer and 20% off food and beverage as well as laundry.

Leading Spanish hotel group partners with Phuket Villa Group to launch landmark resort

Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, a 30-suite and 70-villa resort on eight acres of Phuket’s northwestern coastline overlooking the sky-blue Andaman Sea is slated to open in December. 

Fronting Phuket’s longest stretch of sand, the resort on Mai Khao Beach is close to an array of attractions such as Sirinat National Park, Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, and Wat Phra Thong temple. Phuket International Airport is a 15-minute drive.

Authorities plan to open Thailand to fully vaccinated tourists from countries deemed low-risk from November 1. 

Launched by Meliá Hotels International and owned by Thailand’s leading residential real estate developer Phuket Villa Group, the five-star resort is part of a roll-out of the Meliá brand in key destinations across Thailand including Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

The new resort’s saltwater swimming pools, private villa pools, a reflection pond with sunken seating areas, water gardens, vertical falls and irrigation mist evoke a restorative atmosphere. The overarching design pays tribute to contemporary aesthetics and traditional Thai touches.

The contemporary, light-filled and spacious Mediterranean-inspired accommodations comprise 30 one-bedroom suites and 70 one-bedroom villas that each cater for up to two adults and two children. All feature outdoor bathtubs, open-air showers and vast outdoor terraces.

The 78sqm suites are complemented by cabanas and the 85sqm one-bedroom villas have private plunge pools. Fifteen “wellness villas” feature an open-air Vitamin C shower, daily massage, ultrasonic essential oil diffuser, GermGuardian air purifier, Tempur-Pedic pillows, fit ball and yoga mat.

Meliá Phuket Mai Khao will explore a diverse culinary landscape from four outlets. Near the beach pool with its cabanas and sun lounges, chic Gaia Beach Club is “the place to be”. Drawing on Meliá’s Spanish origins, Gaia celebrates Spain’s famed gastronomy by serving Mediterranean and fusion cuisine from an open kitchen and an imaginative cocktail selection from a long bar.

Elegant all-day dining restaurant SASA specialises in Southeast Asian cuisine. A warm and intimate setting adorned with timber finishes, SASA offers casual fine dining by night. Elyxr Café serves freshly squeezed juices and locally brewed liquors.

Shaded by a broad spectrum of native plants, the resort’s design deploys a neutral palette of colours as a complement to Mai Khao’s sandy shore. Its high ceilings, floor-to-roof glass panels and decorative metal screens take advantage of the natural surrounds and abundance of sunshine.

At 300sqm, Meliá’s signature YHI Spa is home to five treatment rooms. In addition to its extensive menu of massages, facials, body scrubs and wraps, spa therapists also provide poolside and in-villa treatments.

The fitness center is equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, and weights machines. The kids club Kidsdom has workshops to keep youngsters entertained.

An idyllic venue for weddings and events, the resort’s conference facilities include a grand ballroom and two additional multi-function rooms. The resort’s event planners offer customized catering and mini mindfulness sessions.

“Through our partnership with Spain’s leading hotel group, we are thankful that we can significantly contribute to Phuket’s recovery in the wake of COVID-19 by creating much-needed jobs for the local tourism sector and setting a new benchmark for hospitality on Thailand’s largest island,” said Mr Maetapong Upatising, Phuket Villa Group’s Managing Director.

“With its breathtaking beauty and serenity, there isn’t a more desirable place to be on the water than Mai Khao Beach,” said Ms Magdalena Martorell, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao’s General Manager. “We’re looking incredibly forward to unveiling a bleisure resort defined by a distinct focus on customer wellbeing with Meliá’s sunny Spanish hospitality and passion for service.”

Learn more at: http://www.melia-hotels.com

“The Rescue” is a documentary about the gripping, against-all-odds narrative that captivated the globe in 2018: the brave rescue of twelve boys and their coach from a flooded cave in Northern Thailand.

E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, Academy Award®-winning directors and producers, keep viewers on the edge of their seats as they piece together the high-stakes mission, highlighting the efforts of the Royal Thai Navy SEALs and United States Air Force Special Tactics, and detailing the expert cave divers’ audacious venture to dive the boys. “The Rescue” brings to life one of history’s most difficult and amazing rescues, shedding light on the high-risk world of cave diving, the rescuers’ incredible heroism and compassion, and the international community’s common humanity in saving the lads.

Learn more at: https://films.nationalgeographic.com/the-rescue#about-the-film

Covering eight acres of private coastline, design forward resort is a landmark debut.

One of Thailand’s most anticipated resorts, Hyatt Regency Koh Samui, was unveiled today on Koh Samui.

As the paradise island eyes a reopening to international tourists over the coming months, the opening is a landmark on the road to recovery. 

The property, which is Hyatt’s first footfall on Koh Samui, gives guests the opportunity to discover timeless connections and energising experiences and will play a major role in rebounding visitors with the island as Thailand welcomes back visitors.

“The pandemic has been a challenging time for Koh Samui as it has been for the entire tourism industry in Thailand. That’s why we are so delighted to debut with such a special resort,” said Adrian Pulido, general manager, Hyatt Regency Koh Samui.

A collaboration between three of Thailand’s biggest hotel design names — Office of Bangkok Architecture, August Design and PLandscaping — the 140-room property occupies eight acres of private coastline in the far northeast corner of the paradise island.

Deploying a design-forward philosophy, the property, which is located in North Chaweng — and is less than ten minutes from the island’s international airport— bills itself as a “vacation gallery” due to its array of visual highlights.

These include a showpiece lobby, the longest lobby arrival point in Koh Samui, where numerous skylights allow for natural illumination by the sun and the moon. Other standout features span plush accommodations that showcase terrific ocean views to one of the largest pool zones on the island, a collection of pools, each cascading down from the main pool on the upper deck of the resort.

The beauty of Koh Samui is legendary. And the resort’s appeal leverages the visual appeal of the coastal landscape, a forest of protected trees and the proximity of the ocean. Another unique selling point is its Gallery of Eight, a collection of eight sites dotted around the property specially selected for their photogenic potential.

The 140 guestrooms, which include 24 spacious suites and villas, feature private balconies and most offer stunning sea views. Select rooms include access to Regency Club privileges, while seven beachfront pool villas provide elevated indulgence. Spaces benefit from the simplicity of the interior design—by August Design— in a neutral palette with ocean-inspired décor and blue accents.

Culinary cravings are ably catered for at the resort’s four restaurants and bars, including Yangna, an all-day dining restaurant showcasing Thai and international cuisine, and the open-air Sesun Grill & Beach Bar where diners can enjoy fresh seafood and Mediterranean sides alongside relaxing sea views. Cobalt serves fresh juice, iced tea and coffee while Kube offers crafted cocktails accompanied by mesmerizing views from the highest point of the resort.

The family-friendly resort features freeform pools—including a lap pool, plunge pool, family pool with a whirlpool and kids’ pool with a slide—which cascade to the beach. Over at Camp Hyatt, young guests can enjoy supervised play and activities from arts and crafts to movie nights.

Lush tropical plants line the grand staircase that leads to the spa, a tranquil sanctuary featuring five treatment rooms, including two couple’s suites with a private deck and outdoor tub.

The property offers inspiring indoor and outdoor venues for gatherings, big and small. The elegant Regency Ballroom can accommodate up to 100 guests or 150 for cocktails. A 97-sqm manicured lawn provides a magical setting for wedding celebrations and alfresco events.

“This island has a central role in how Thailand fares following the pandemic, and it’s an honour to be leading the way as we begin to look positively towards the future,” added Pulido.

For more information, please visit hyattregency.com. Follow @HyattRegency on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag photos with #HyattRegency

No Troubles Just Bubbles is a small British and Thai team consisting of experienced divers, travellers & booking agents, working together with our webmaster to provide unparalleled services. The experiences we provide begin here, on the pages of the website, enabling you to browse our pages on any device and through any server. Schedules and prices are constantly and automatically updated, and all the information is thoroughly researched and provided honestly.

Those of you who choose to contact us to make an enquiry about a scuba diving trip in Thailand, Indonesia or anywhere else in Asia will receive a prompt and truthful response. The team member who replies to your initial enquiry will remain your only contact throughout the process, from initial enquiry, through booking, logistical support, and even after your liveaboard diving trip. In fact, we feel that this personal service which we provide enables us to stand out among the competition. Many of our customers come back to book again and recommend us to friends and family. Our initial booking feedback on Trip Advisor is actually in the name of our division specifically for the west coast of Thailand – Similan Diving Tours. 

Our team are knowledgeable and experienced in the dive centres, their boats, the scuba diving itself and local transfer logistics, including providing advice and warnings on all kinds of local topics. Normally this is done immediately and accurately. However, occasionally questions which we aren’t absolutely sure about will be answered honestly, sometimes after the necessary little research on your behalf.

No Troubles Just Bubbles is a company based in Bangkok, Thailand & the UK While Bangkok is certainly not known for scuba diving, it is among the most visited cities in the world. From our main office, we are central to many diving and holiday locations, and able to advise (and often meet) our guests. We also have a sub-office is located on a remote island in Indonesia, known to many as Gili Trawangan. We are online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The experience of our team comes from nearly twenty years in recreational scuba diving, and the travel industry. Our webmaster department works hard to ensure that your browsing experience is fast, reliable and accurate at all times and from anywhere.

We appreciate that some visitors to our website will use the information we provide to select the scuba diving trip which best suits them, then contact the dive centre directly. There is nothing we can do about this, and we wish anyone who does so the best of luck. The information provided on our pages is as accurate and comprehensive as possible and constantly updated. However, the quality of service that we offer, along with our unbeatable prices and special offers, makes dealing through us your best option. In addition to the price promise, we offer free t-shirts to liveaboard guests and don’t charge booking fees. We are an official agent for all of the dive centres and boats which you see on our pages. In fact, booking through NTJB is actually safer and better for you, the customer.

The two most obvious reasons to support this are as follows:

Firstly, the advice and information which we provide are impartial, meaning that we will recommend the boat, trip or dive centre which best suits each customer’s needs and preferences. We guarantee that the independent advice and information which we provide to every enquiry is based only on the customer’s requirements, and never on which is better for us. If you contact two or three dive centres directly and ask them to compare their product or service with that of another, it is likely that you will not get such an unbiased answer.

Secondly, it is quite common for our customers to change their minds for one reason or another. This includes changing their holiday schedule or plans and needing to change their booking from one boat or dive centre to another. Because No Troubles Just Bubbles normally keep your booking deposit secure until you have boarded the boat or arrived at the dive centre, it is sometimes possible to move you to another option, such as a different boat that is run by a completely different company.

Please feel free to contact us about anything that you have seen or read on this page or another other on No Troubles Just Bubbles.

Learn more at: https://www.notroublesjustbubbles.com/

Eighteen Days: 23 June – 10 July 2018

Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton will star in Ron Howard’s MGM Thai Cave Rescue film “Thirteen Lives.” This month, filming for the movie will begin in Australia and Thailand with the support of both governments. This will be a huge hit with divers from around the world.

Members of a junior football team trapped inside the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand, were rescued in a widely publicized cave rescue in June and July 2018, while the world watched with bated breath. After football practice on June 23, twelve members of the squad, ranging in age from eleven to sixteen, and their 25-year-old assistant coach entered the cave for a party. Heavy rains soon followed, partly flooding the cave and obstructing their exit.

The rescue effort grew into a multinational operation as a result of widespread public attention and the participation of international rescue teams. British divers John Volanthen and Richard Stanton discovered the party alive on an elevated rock about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) from the cave mouth on July 2nd, after advancing through narrow passages and murky waters.

This operation claimed the lives of two divers. On the 6th of July, Saman Kunan, a 37-year-old former Thai Navy SEAL, died of asphyxiation while returning to a staging base in the cave after delivering air supplies. Beirut Pakbara, a rescue diver and Thai Navy SEAL died in December 2019 from a blood infection contracted during the mission.

Ron Howard is known for his powerful movies as a director. While the world watched this rescue unfold with keen interest, even non-divers, I suspect the world will watch again when this movie is released!

Join us for another Virtual Open Day on Saturday the 20th of March 2021! This time around, in honour of Women’s History Month this March and International Women’s Day on 8 March, we’ll be focusing on gender equality.

As such, we will be joined by different female experts, staff, and past volunteers to answer your questions and talk about their experiences.

Talks and presentations on the day will cover our conservation and community development focused programs, as well as GVI’s impact, career development, volunteering with GVI, our mission, our goals and our online courses. Specifically, our field staff from Thailand and Nepal will be offering insight into our community development and conservation programs in those locations, and we will also feature talks from past volunteers; specifically as an Under 18, Over 50, or during a gap year.

This is a great opportunity to ask our volunteers and staff any specific questions you have about conservation, community development and career development. We’ll be there live to answer them in our Q&A after each presentation!

Founded in 1998, GVI runs programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs as well as the objectives of local partners. We welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how we achieve our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.

For more information and a full schedule of the event, please visit: https://www.gviusa.com/gvi-open-day/

Take an inside look at what it takes for Sea Bees Diving to provide spectacular scuba diving trips day after day. The unsung heroes of our office staff flawlessly organize each trip to provide every guest with the perfect scuba diving adventure in tropical Thailand!

For the first time Australians of the Year, Drs Richard Harris and Craig Challen, will be holding a special presentation on the Tham Luang Thailand Cave Rescue, an incredible rescue operation requiring the special expertise of a few and the collaboration of thousands. It captured the world’s attention and brought hope to many.

Available to the Australian public for the first time, Richard and Craig will be uncovering all the details; the highs, lows, logistics, and challenges, which had to be overcome to enable the boys and their coach to be extracted successfully. 

This might be the only opportunity for the general public to hear exactly what happened from those who were integral in the rescue operation.

OZTek Advanced Diving Conference 

When: March 16-17, 2019    
Where: Hall 5, International Convention Centre Sydney, Darling Harbour
Time: 5.30pm – 6.30pm

Ticket Information– https://oztek.com.au/OZTek2019-Ticket-Information

More info on OZTek Advanced Dive Conference http://oztek.com.au

Sea turtles are amazing creatures, found around the world in tropical and subtropical waters. They play a vital role in marine ecosystem health and have been in the ocean for more than 100 million years.

They are an understandably popular dive and photography choice and you can dive with them at a variety of top liveaboard diving destinations.

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Six of the seven species of sea turtle can be seen at the Great Barrier Reef, where they feed and nest. The best way to go turtle spotting is during a Great Barrier Reef liveaboard cruise to the outer reef, where you’ll typically dive Ribbon and Osprey reefs. Both of these stunning reefs are great places to see green, hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles. Keep your eyes open for the less commonly seen Olive Ridley and leatherback sea turtles as well.

The MV Spoilsport Australia offers special Turtle Spectacular safaris in November each year to explore the far northern reefs. These safaris include a visit to Raine Island,which has been a green turtle nesting site for over 1,000 years. Thousands of turtles return to Raine Island to lay their eggs in the warm sands each year.

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos green sea turtle is the only type of green sea turtle that nests on the beaches of the Galapagos Islands. These turtles have a slightly darker and more domed shell than green sea turtles and can be seen when Galapagos liveaboard diving. Cabo Marshall and Cabo Douglas are both good dive sites for sea turtle sightings and there are plenty of other marine life highlights to enjoy at this world-class dive destination.

Thailand

The Similan Islands are home to some of the best dive sites in Thailand and include thriving reefs, submerged boulders and stunning rock formations. This is a great destination to encounter green sea turtles whilst also enjoying marine life such as whale sharks, manta rays and more. The Surin Islands are less accessible and, as such, are a sought after liveaboard diving destination. The healthy reefs at these islands have huge numbers of green and hawksbill turtles.

The Whale liveaboard caters for just 12 guests and offers safaris to the Similan Islands, as well as other North and South Andaman dive destinations.

Oman

Oman liveaboard diving is a great way to experience this turtle hotspot and relatively new dive destination. Oman is visited by Hawksbill and green sea turtles and the Daymaniyat and Hallaniyat Islands are well known for their nesting sea turtle populations. The Musandam Peninsula also has sea turtles at the coral reefs found there.

May and June are the months to visit to see hawksbill and green sea turtles nesting on island beaches.

There are more great destinations to go swimming with sea turtles, including Malaysia and the Maldives. Find out all about them in The Top 5 Places to Dive with Sea Turtles.

This article was written by divers and writers at LiveAboard.com

Already in Thailand working in Phuket, I heard about how close the GVI Thailand base was and so I immediately got in touch with Head Office, keen to swing by for a visit. I was immediately put in contact with Vanessa Ree’s, Base Manager and what an utter peach she was!

Vanessa welcomed me with complete open arms for a very brief visit to check out the turtle project and to meet some of the team and volunteers. There are a million things I could say about Vanessa but they are not enough words really. She was warm, kind, funny, welcoming, knowledgeable and excited about everything GVI were doing in Thailand which made me and others around her as excited. She is one of those people that just has a full on positive vibe and I thought she was ace!

I arrived fairly late as night and was shown to my room and run through all safety aspects of projects and briefed so that I could head out with the team the next morning. It was all very exciting.

Transfers from base to the Navy Base where the turtle conservation project runs were on time so a bunch of us jumped into the transport and set off for Phang Nga, a stunning coastal province. Each week the GVI team spend time working with Green, Hawksbill and Olive Ridley turtles that have either hatched locally in the Similan islands or have been hurt or damaged in various ways and are at the centre as part of a rehabilitation programme to get well before release. Global populations have been so severely impacted by human activity that numbers are in worrying decline. The 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami added a further blow and nesting areas and local ecosystems where turtles reside and grow were destroyed.

The Head Start programme supports the release of hundreds of turtles every year and GVI staff and volunteers are actively involved in data collection, research and the care of the turtles. Hatchlings are supported at the centre after local nesting spots were threatened and the care of the turtles became critical. The turtles are born on a near by similan island and then raised at the centre. They release between 8-10’000 a year. Barriers come with raising turtles in captivity or accommodating them whilst they get well after accidents or sickness. Bacterial, viral and fungal infections are common and GVI help to support the cleanliness of tanks, medication of turtles and general care of all residents, playing an extremely important role.

The work is hard but rewarding in so many ways and is always promoting the building of local relationships. The support of GVI really make a difference here and it was great to be on project in the field and to see such an obvious impact.

On the day I visited the center GVI welcomed some new volunteers who were starting on project and it was an absolute delight to watch staff briefing them on all things turtle and ocean related. They covered species, threats, sustainability of turtles and were enthusiastic about the work being done here. I loved the information volunteers received via on site presentations before they got stuck in. The passion of the Marine Biologist, Ines Quilez was obvious. She was fabulous to listen to and inspiring with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field.

Heading back to base the mood was high and new and old volunteers were content with the day’s work and what had been achieved. It was time to head back for a shower and a walk around the village and a cheeky cocktail at nearby resort, ‘Thai Life’. Vanessa took me for a stroll through the village before dinner and really took the time out to show me everything that was close by including Baan Nam Khem tsunami memorial park. What a heart wrench this place was but an absolute must for all travellers in Thailand. The area still re building from the not so distant devastation was beautiful and a real reminder to not forget people lost and affected by the disaster. I love that GVI make a point of keeping this central to theirs values and educating visitors/volunteers.

I strolled around some more with Vanessa and she told me about all the projects that GVI offer here and her fantastic plans. We wandered about and sipped ice coffee made by a lovely local lady and it just felt like a really nice place to be and a hard one to leave even after only one day.

I hope to go back to GVI Thailand and I would strongly recommend anyone thinking of positive ways to travel with purpose in Asia to do the same. Check them out!

Learn more at:

https://www.gvi.co.uk/blog/sea-turtle-conservation-phang-nga/

https://www.facebook.com/GVIThailandPhangNga/

https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/241169367/gvi-thailand-phang-nga/?hl=en

Some years ago now I went to meet the guys on board Phuket’s infamous liveaboard, MV Giamani. A 5 day trip out to the Similan’s to explore the underwater world with some top divers. An incredible dive trip with some incredible people. This year I had the absolute pleasure of joining another trip out to the Similan’s and it was just as I remembered it.

Giamani is a higher class liveaboard that offers 2,4 and 6 day dive safaris to Hin Daeng, Hin Muang and the Similan Islands with a must stop at stunning Richelieu Rock. Italian owned this boat is run and managed by one of the most experienced and knowledgeable divers I have ever met, Ricardo Trabulo and his exceptional colleague, Francesco. An accomplished Instructor with PADI, SSI and RAID, Ricardo has been diving for over 30 years and is a really key individual for this company. His warm and welcoming and super helpful approach to every desk is incredible. I trusted his expertise complicity.

This boat carries a maximum of 10 guests and is a known high end trip out of Phuket. The boat, well looked after and maintained to an exceptional standard transfers you to the stunning National Marine Park that is the Similan’s, a set of 9 islands that have been rated in the top 10 dive sites in the World. Jacque Cousteau discovered this incredible pinnacle with the help of local fisherman and listed it as one of his favourite sites and it wasn’t hard to see why.  Partly due to its geology as a solitary pinnacle it attracts a variety of different pelagic species. Snappers, batfish, lionfish, triggerfish and the most amount of glass fish I have ever seen in my life adorn this dive site. It is also a site known for its small and sort after, must see critters including seahorses, frogfish, harlequin shrimp and pineapplefish. It is one of the best dives I have ever done!

My second fave site on this trip is Boulder City. Only 1km southeast of Koh Pa-Yan and a few hundred meters off Shark Fin Reef lies a site full of giant granite boulders, hence the dive site name. Ranging from depths of 12m to 40 it is an awesome site to explore. Golden gorgonian fans and sea whips grow in the cracks of the boulders and in every crevice you can spot something interesting. It is the dive site I love to explore the most out of the Similan’s. Currents can be a bit hairy but again we felt, as I did the first time I dived this site wonderfully briefed on the best way to dive it. I was given ample advice from the dive team. Like I mentioned previously, I never felt unsafe or unprepared.

There is something quite special about being at sea with a group of likeminded people with no cares in the World other than what the next dive site is and what you hope to see. This is the magic thing about liveaboards, they allow you to immerse yourself in the ocean and totally getaway for that brief time. Dive chat buzzing on the boat, sunrises and sets to die for and sea air. What is not to love!

Nitrox and rental equipment at the ready, a rebreather and trimix friendly environment, Thai and international cuisine, clean, en suite cabins and a wonderful crew. There is not much else you could really ask for. I also love the addition of the new shop in Chalong, a great place to pop into for trip information and to purchase last minute bits and bobs for the trip. Centrally located and managed by extremely helpful staff, it’s a nice place to swing by even if you just fancy a hello.

This personalised adventure is in my top 3 dive safari trips and a good enough reason for me to always return to Thailand. I recommend it to friends and divers I meet all the time and have every faith that they will have the same experience I did. Dive Thailand, Dive from MV Giamani.

Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/MVGiamani/, https://www.instagram.com/mv_giamani/ and https://twitter.com/ColonaLiveaboar

My first impression of this dive centre was a fantastic one. The dive shop is epic and I mean epic! It is spacious, full of information, retail items, conservation corners, interactive learning, smiley staff and the décor is on point! It really would be hard to not be impressed by the centre itself before you even get out on the water. It felt like a real hub with all sorts going on, people coming and going and bustling dive chat.

I have to say again how awesome the centre looked and it was a big turn on immediately. My next interaction was with staff to organise rental kit for the day and I was presented with brand new Aqualung kit, checked and packed for me. There was nothing more to do but hang out and chill until the transport left for the pier. It was a low season day but the place was heaving and it felt nice to be there. There is a lot to say for the vibe of a dive shop.

A company originally founded in 1989 that is still going strong and growing all the time, Sea Bees in Phuket is now one of 5 dive centres and has been honoured for its outstanding performance with tourism awards and SSI’s then newest rating of diamond instructor facility training.

Daytrips and Livaboards running throughout the season have this company revelling in repeat custom and divers seeking quality dive encounters. We attended the Chalong centre which was moments away from the pier where day trips depart. Organisation and transfers were easy and simple and life on board was a breeze with high standard briefings given, snacks and lunch and dives executed professionally.

There was a real mix of backgrounds from dive staff, languages and experience and this made the diving accessible for everyone and a range of cliental.

I would absolutely dive with these guys again and look them up as a preferred centre when travelling elsewhere in Thailand. If you are travelling to Phuket check them out!

Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/seabeesdiving/ and https://sea-bees.com/about-us/

This year’s annual trip to Thailand took me down to Phuket to meet Poseidon Dive Travel and I had an absolutely, wonderfully signature day’s diving. I call it signature because the team were different in so many ways. I didn’t once feel that the ethos of this company was to make money or to have a full boat or count the number of tanks they put in the water, instead I felt totally convinced that Klaus Orlik and his team were driven to take me and the other customers on the boat diving for the pure love of it. This feel was evident from the moment we were met at Chalong Pier.

Klaus who was the first accredited dive centre in Phuket back in the 70’s was an absolute treasure to meet and I must say I felt quite honoured to meet him and inspired by his tales of life in Thailand. He was extremely reserved about his long and established career and in fact I had to dig to find out more about him, which again I loved. There was no sense of bragging or slipping into that arrogant dive pro role that you often come across. Klaus was a pleasure and I got lost in his stories and felt in awe of his dive experience. I felt quite lucky to be diving with him and felt safe and in good hands on board and underwater. A chap with over 35’000 dives under his belt and an obvious deep respect for the environment and the ocean, he felt like a very special personality to have met.

Klaus, donning his equipment for the dive and jumping in with nothing more than his booties, gloves and swimmers on was relaxed and motivated to point out the small and fragile critters that adorned the sea bed and reef that we glided over. Wearing a 3mm wetsuit I looked at him puzzled at first as he got ready for dives and so I asked, ‘Do you get chilly on dives?’ he responded, ‘I need to feel the water on my skin to feel closer to it.’ I, a complete softy for people who share such an affiliation with nature melted when he said this. What a dude I thought!

Dive groups were kept to the absolute minimum and dive sites organised in relation to where other boats were on the day to offer dive guests a non busy dive experience to fully immerse themselves in the Andaman without interruption or distraction.

We hung out with lovely Stefan Kasweber on board who displayed total professionalism and charm and was 110% attentive to all of our needs at all times. Stefan who is responsible for all diver training was relaxed and clearly as excited as we were to be heading out for the days diving. He chatted to all guests on the transfer out to the dive sites as we sipped hot coffee and nibbled on fresh fruits. It was a genuinely lovely day and I enjoyed my time on board as much as I did under water. There were so many subtle attentions to details throughout the day that made me realise that the high quality of this company was at the forefront of its ethos. A clean and tidy boat, comfy bean bags to relax on, flowers on the tables, fresh smelling towels handed out, ample space to move, sit and relax and an incredible lunch. There really is nothing negative to say about this company but on the other hand I am struggling to say just how awesome it was.

I would recommend this company to absolutely anyone heading to Thailand to dive. A jolly good days diving with a more than exceptional team. It’s worth it just for the conversation even if you don’t go diving. A must to look up!

Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/poseidondivingphuket/ and https://www.poseidondiving.com

Photography by Chantelle Wyatt and Klaus Orlik

People come to Thailand every year to dive and learn to Scuba dive because the waters are clear, calm and warm with mild currents and world class marine life. Combined with outstanding tropical reefs, wrecks, and marine life, making it attractive for scuba diving in Phuket.

Why not let Eco Divers introduce you to Scuba Diving by doing a Try Dive or your Open Water qualification. Already qualified with SSI / PADI / or any of the other recognized scuba schools, then let Eco Divers help you to increase your knowledge, skills and confidence by continuing your scuba diving education with our experienced and enthusiastic Instructors.

We also offer day trips and liveaboards, to the world famous Similan Islands one of the best scuba diving areas in Thailand. Whale Shark and Manta Rays frequent these sites, combined with the stunning marine and coral life. To experience the beautiful Similan Islands let Eco Divers organise your scuba diving trip.

Check us out at ECODIVINGCENTRE.COM or on Facebook @ Eco Divers Phucket

Summer might be over but blue o two are offering up to 50% off on some of their premier worldwide destinations.

With a wide selection of trips available from now until the end of 2018, there has never been a better time to tick one off your bucket list. These fantastic last-minute deals start from the 6^thSeptemberand must be booked by 30^thSeptember.

If you want to share your diving with your friends, partner or dive buddies then we also have a selection of group offers availablewhich can be combined with the deals.

Explore the coral-fringed islands of the Philippines or the WW2 history of Truk Lagoon and the Solomon Islands. Unforgettable diving with large pelagics could also be waiting for you in French Polynesia.

The blue o two epic last-minute deals are as follows:

French Polynesia – Buy 3, 1 goes free also available

12^th– 19^thSept 2018 – Was £3484, NOW £2439– 30% off
27^thOct – 3^rdNov 2018 – Was £3484, NOW £2439– 30% off
14^th– 21^stNov 2018 – Was £3484, NOW £2439– 30% off
8^th– 15^thDec 2018 – Was £3484, NOW £2265– 35% off

Solomon Islands– Buy 2, 1 goes free also available

30^thOct – 6^thNov 2018 – Was £2522, NOW £1261– 50% off
17^th– 27^thNov 2018 – Was £3604, NOW £1802– 50% off
29^thDec 2018 – 8^thJan 2019 – Was £3604, NOW £1802 – 50% off

Palau– Buy 3, 1 goes free also available

22^nd– 29^thOct 2018 – Was £3042, NOW £2433– 20% off
10^th– 17^thNov 2018 – Was £3042, NOW £2433– 20% off 
29^thDec 2018 – 8^thJan 2019 – Was £4166, NOW £3333– 20% off

Thailand

21^st– 25^thOct 2018 – Was £755, NOW £679– 10% off 
12^th– 16^thNov 2018 – Was £755, NOW £679– 10% off
8^th– 14^thDec 2018 – Was £1001, NOW £901– 10% off

Philippines– Buy 3, 1 goes free also available

12^th– 22^ndOct 2018 – Was £3234, NOW £2911– 10% off

Truk Lagoon– Buy 3, 1 goes free also available

7^th– 14^thOct 2018 – Was £2383, NOW £1787– 25% off 
21^stNov – 1^stDec 2018 – Was £3346, NOW £3011 – 10% off 

blue o two’s epic last-minute deals are on a first come, first served basis so make sure you act fast and don’t miss out!

*Terms and Conditions: Group deals available on boat spaces only. Valid on new bookings only. No other discounts or offers can be combined with this deal, including Loyalty Club Discount, BSAC Discount or BSAC Kickback Scheme. Offers are subject to availability, are first come, first served and may be removed at any time. Deals must be booked by 30th September 2018. Package prices are subject to change and final package price will be confirmed at time of booking. Packages are subject to standard booking terms and conditions. Please refer to our website for more details. 

For more information on this amazing offer, then please visit their website at www.blueotwo.com or call 01752 480808.

Starting now, Worldwide Dive & Sail Fleet has announced a flash sale with very attractive deals on some of their Master and Siren liveaboards. On most of the selected vessels, special “small group discounts” apply as well. For any 3 paying guests, 1 person may go free of charge.

Which Vessels & Destinations Are Included in The Flash Sale?

Divers taking advantage of this offer can enjoy the abundant and diverse marine life of the Philippines and Thailand, or dive the paradise islands of the Solomons, Micronesia and French Polynesia.

Thailand

The Junk offers an intimate stay and top-class diving experience around some of Thailand’s most diverse waters. Marvel at the marine life around the Similan and Surin Islands, and admire the creatures that live close to Phuket and Koh Phi Phi. The beautifully renovated traditional junk, and her sister boat The Phinisi, are ideal choices for anyone wanting a high-class Thai diving holiday with a blend of the traditional and modern.

The Junk – 10% OFF
21-25 October 2018
12-16 November 2018
8-14 December 2018

The Phinisi – 40% OFF

All trips departing in November 2018  | December 2018  |  January 2019

Solomon Islands

The Solomons PNG Master is one of very few liveaboards offering trips to the remote and unspoiled Solomon Islands. Divers can enjoy diverse ecosystems, World War II wrecks, and pristine reefs with hundreds of coral and fish species. This is a must for adventurous divers.

Solomons PNG Master – 50% OFF

30 October – 6 November 2018

17-27 November 2018

29 December 2018 – 8 January 2019

Micronesia

Micronesia scuba diving offers great visibility, vibrant coral gardens and coral-encrusted World War II wrecks at Truk Lagoon. Giant manta rays, sharks, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and anemone fish are abundant. The Palau Siren and Truk Master are top choices for diving this unique area.

Truk Master – Up to 30% OFF

7-14 October 2018

21 November – 1 December 2018

Palau Siren – 20% OFF

22-29 October 2018

10-17 November 2018

29 December 2018 – 8 January 2019

Philippines

With 7,107 islands, liveaboard diving in the Philippines is still top of the list with its abundant and highly diverse marine life and around 2,000 species of fish. Exploring Malapascua, Tubbataha, and the Visayas in the Philippines, the Philippine Siren is ideal for an intimate and relaxed sailing adventure.

Philippine Siren – 10% Discount

12-22 October 2018

French Polynesia

French Polynesia has a well-kept secret; spectacular shark diving with hundreds of grey reef sharks, plus numerous hammerheads and eagle rays. The stunning atolls of this area are home to numerous species of marine life and offer fantastic diving opportunities. The French Polynesia is one of a few liveaboards that visit this remote and idyllic destination.

French Polynesia Master – 30% Discount

 12-19 September 2018

27 October – 3 November 2018

14-21 November 2018

8-15 December 2018

Trips must be booked before September 30th, 2018 in order to be eligible for a discount.

There are many dive centers on Koh Phi Phi Don. Upon arriving on Ko Phi Phi I was overwhelmed by the amount of dive centres on this island. To be honest, I felt a bit dissapointed in the way certain dive centers out there are mainly focussed on the numbers without caring for the oceans or the island. Because I was still working on my article about scuba diving on Koh Lipe, I suddenly figured out that this eco-conscious dive centre on Ko Lipe has a sister company diving center, called Blue View Divers, on Koh Phi Phi! After I found out about Blue View Divers and all the sustainable projects and environmental friendly organisations they are involved in, my choice in regards to with whom to go diving on Phi Phi was instantly made!

I didn’t regret my choice for this dive center on Phi Phi Islands

I just can´t name enough what a great job Blue View Divers is doing and what a big difference they make on the island of Koh Phi Phi Don.  This dive center is not only highly involved in eco-friendly & sustainable projects and stimulating local people to dive which you can read about in this article, the staff is also among the friendliest I spoke to of the dive staff on Phi Phi. I´m an independent writer and I will always provide my honest opinion. So my enthusiasm for this dive centre is just coming from me and not based on sales in any way. I just totally love Blue View Divers!

The difference they make for your experience diving the Phi Phi Islands

Besides of all the eco and environmental projects, I think another big difference Blue Divers makes is their level of service. This is a dive center on Phi Phi where I felt like the staff has actually having time and interest to have a chat with me, rather than just trying to sell me some scuba diving quickly. Upon walking in and asking about their eco projects, one of the instructors took the time to explain me about all the recycling projects they´re involved in whilst in the meantime showing a big enthusiasm for it. Another time I came in, one of the instructors was showing her photos of the frogfish seen on the night dive the evening before. It´s obvious that these people have big hearts for the environment and the ocean life and are happily sharing that with all divers coming in. In my opinion, that´s the way dive centers should be rather than asking you if you want to come diving with them and if you don´t, the conversation stops right there. Also, it was clear from the beginning that they wanted to make sure to put me on one of the best dives in accordance to my level of diving.

Very personal service with Blue View Divers

Another difference they make is that they are a pretty small team. They dive from a Thai long tail boat in groups of 4 divers max per guide. This is also outstanding on Phi Phi Islands, if you compare this concept to many other dive centres who go diving from a huge boat full of people. Anyhow, in my experience I was looking forward very much to go scuba diving the next day after signing up the evening before. The required paperwork was filled out, my equipment sizes were written down and I had picked my lunch for the next day from their lunch menu! I didn´t need to worry about anything, other then showing up the next morning.

A nice small group of divers

After a coffee and some chatting to the other divers, we were ready to make some bubbles today. After a nice morning walk of the island which was just waking up, we arrived at Ton Sai Bay to board Blue View Diver´s long tail boat. Usually, they always dive in a group of 4 divers max, however today was a bit different because I was ´extra´ as an instructor myself and the plan to write this article about it. So besides of me and the staff, which existed of a very skilled instructor and a dive master trainee, there were only 4 guest divers. We were asked where we would like to dive today or, in order words, would we like to see turtles or sharks? The decisions was made for turtles for the first dive, although the instructor told us that sometimes they reconsider the dive site upon arriving, looking at the amount of other divers at the spot.

The first dive spot: Palong

Most of the dive sites around Phi Phi Islands are located in the National Marine Park around the uninhabited island of Ko Phi Phi Lee. The scenery is absolutely beautiful here with high limestone cliffs, a lush green jungle and some caves and beaches. After about 20 minutes we arrived at our chosen dive spot, but we saw many other dive boats coming our direction too. So we decided to change our plans and avoid the other dive centers. I was happy to hear that we´re going to avoid the coming crowd and it only took us another 5 minute boat ride. We arrived at the dive site Palong, known for the sharks! All excited, we jumped in the crystal clear water.

Marine life at the dive site Palong

Upon descending I directly spotted a barracuda in the distance, but whilst having a better look I think it actually was a crocodile needlefish. Wow, that´s a nice start of my dive day! We followed a rocky slope going down to about 15 metres. Many colourful fish were here like sweetlips, snappers, boxfishes, porcupinefish and other reef fish. We spotted a very big moray eel in the beginning of the dive. There were also many crown-of-thorns sea stars, brightly shining their colours whilst laying on the rocky bottom of the sea. Nudibranchs were to be found on the bottom too. At some point we saw a huge jellyfish being chased by a triggerfish and a trumpetfish, it looked very funny! During our safety stop a sea snake showed herself swimming up around the line of our surface marker buoy. Unfortunately we didn´t see any sharks but apparently this was just bad luck, normally they are seen very often and the site is especially known for black tip reef sharks.

Enjoying lunch with the scenery of  “the Beach” movie

For lunch, our boat captain took us to Maya Bay. This quiet bay is sheltered by 100 metre high cliffs and became very famous after Leonardo DiCaprio starred here in the movie ´the Beach´ in 2000. We enjoyed our Panang curry, pad Thai, sandwiches or whatever each of us had chosen for lunch. We also go to relax a bit in the bay enjoying the beautiful scenery whilst having a chat about all the things we saw during our first dive.

The second dive spot: Mushroom Rock

Once our surface interval was finished, we headed down to our second dive site of the day called Mushroom Rock. This dive spot is, like Palong, located on the North-West of Koh Phi Phi Ley. We descended close to a cave and I especially enjoyed the corals on this dive spot. We saw hard corals, soft coral gardens, pinnacles, a brightly coloured wall full of corals and, like the name of the dive site already explains, a mushroom shaped rock also covered in corals. Nudibranchs were to be found as well as anemone fish, the common reef fish and schools of fish. Once we were doing our safety stop, we saw a turtle at the bottom of the ocean underneath us, which unfortunately didn´t came up to show herself a bit closer to us.

Marine life around Phi Phi Islands in general

After chatting to the staff of Blue View Divers I heard that the marine life in the waters around Phi Phi is pretty diverse. Bigger ocean creatures like black tip reef sharks are usually seen and other shark types, like the leopard shark, are also spotted on a regular base. Hawksbill turtles are also to be seen here among things like porcupine fish, ghost pipefish and seahorse. More of the common sea life also includes octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, barracudas, stingrays, shrimps, nudibranchs, cuttlefish among a variety of school of fish and the common reef fish. Shortly, there’s probably something to find for every kind of diver no matter if you like big fish or prefer to get some good macro shots.

Daily island clean ups after returning from our dive

Blue View Divers is doing daily island clean ups in the following way. Upon returning from the dive and during the walk back from the jetty to the dive center, the staff is picking up all rubbish they see on their way. You´re more than welcome to help them. In the dive center is a recycling station where plastic bottles are transformed into eco-bricks to, cans into ashtrays, broken flip flops go to an organisation who makes new ones out of them and biodegradable products are going into a composter and the compost is given to local people for their garden. The amount of straws found as waste on the island are counted and written down to make people aware of it and reusable bamboo straws are sold to reduce the use of plastic straws. Stainless steel bottles from Trash Hero can be bought and refilled for free at Blue View Divers. These are some of the things they do, but this article will be too long if I name it all. You can read more about all these activities in this post. They just do a very good job!

A short overview of the projects which Blue View Divers is involved in

In this article, I try to focus on my experience scuba diving with Blue View. However, I´m already working on a second article about all the things they do and go into more details, for example to explain what a ´plastic bottle eco-brick´ is and what they do with it. I will describe in more detail each project they are working on and list all the organisations they are involved in. So keep an eye out for one of my next posts about Blue View Divers as a PADI Green Star Award Dive Centre and Shark Guardian Centre besides of being a member of Phi Phi Island Protection & Conservation Team, GreenFins Thailand, Project Aware Foundation and Trash Hero. Some of these projects involve working together with marine biologists, government departments and are even supported by the United Nations Environmental Programme. You can also read more about all this on this section of Blue View Divers´ website.

Additional information about Blue View Divers on Koh Phi Phi

Beside of the awards named in the paragraph above, Blue View Divers is PADI 5-star Dive Centre. The dive center is located in the northern tip of Loh Dalum Bay, close to the View Point Resort. You can find them on Google maps if you experience any difficulties finding them. There´s a nice view from the dive centre overlooking the Andaman Sea. Most staff members of Blue View Divers are long term on Phi Phi Island so they know the dive sites really well and are happy to share all their knowledge about the marine life with you. The dive centre has access to an infinity pool and this makes it an ideal dive centre for your dive courses too. Learn to dive nice and comfortable in a swimming pool in contrast to many other dive centers using a confined part in the sea.

Where are the Phi Phi Islands located and how to get there?

The Phi Phi Islands are located in the Andaman Sea and the group is officially part of the Krabi Province. The islands can be reached within 90 minutes by ferry (or 45 minutes by speedboat) from either Phuket or Krabi. You can also travel to Phi Phi from Koh Lanta in about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

TIP!

Combine your scuba diving on Koh Phi Phi with some great, and slightly different, diving on Koh Lipe. You can read more in this article in which I share my experience diving with their sister company Adang Sea Divers.

I heard so many different names, how many islands include the Phi Phi Islands?

The Phi Phi islands consists of six islands. However, there are only two main islands named Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Lee. Koh Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited Phi Phi island and this is also the island where all travellers are staying. Koh Phi Phi Lee is, on the other hand, uninhabited but daily visited by many tourists on a day tour. The island became very famous after the movie ´the Beach´. The island of Koh Phi Phi Lee is situated in the National Marine Park. Please note that if you got referred to Koh Phi Phi Le, Lee, Ley of Leh, that´s all the same but just a way of spelling the name in different ways. Similar, the Phi Phi Islands are also called Koh Phi Phi and Ko Phi Phi.

Where to stay on Koh Phi Phi Don?

Unlike most of my other articles in which I share some of my accommodation research, I didn´t do this on Phi Phi Islands. However I highly enjoyed my stay in Tapear Resort due to the quiet location, away from the party scene, giving me good nights of sleep. I know that places like Golden Hill Bungalow and Tropical Garden Bungalow are located within the same quiet area and they both also offer a swimming pool. Phi Phi View Point Resort is also located in a quiet area next to the dive centre of Blue View Divers. However, please note that I don´t know anything about the level of service or experience of other travellers staying in the other accommodation mentioned here. You can do your own research on booking.com or by using the search box below. Thank you for your support!

Keep in mind that Ko Phi Phi Don is also a party island, just consider picking a quiet location for you´re scuba diving holiday on the Phi Phi Islands.

Extra information on National Park Fees

Since the summer of 2017 National Marine Park Rangers have been started to charge an entry fee for the Phi Phi National Park. No matter from which island you are coming, divers and snorkelers on dive boats must pay 400 Thai Baht for a 3-day Marine Park ticket plus 200 Thai Baht per day for scuba diving. Park Rangers will charge this fee at the pier before you board your dive boat.

A big thanks to Blue View Divers on Koh Lipe

I like to thank Blue View Divers for providing some of the photos in this article. Also, in my opinion, they deserve a big thanks for making such a difference on the island of Phi Phi and for making a personal and conscious experience of scuba diving available to all of us.

Read more at: http://www.ellisderkx.com

When I first arrived on the island of Ko Lipe, located in the Andaman Sea in the South of Thailand, I was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of tourists on this small island, especially after just coming from the quiet island of Koh Mook. Arriving on the 30th of December, this was also the busiest time of the year for Koh Lipe.

Looking at the size of the island and the amount of tourists, I was very pleased to have my stay booked in the Eco Lodge of Adang Sea Divers. In contradiction to most other accommodations on Ko Lipe, this eco lodge is situated just out of town with some trees and nature surrounding the bungalows and rooms. The eco accommodation has been built in an ecological responsible way, and surprisingly there are only a couple of other accommodations on Koh Lipe which have been built in the same way.

Eco friendly concept of Adang Sea Divers

Next to being situated in a quiet part of the island with Sunrise Beach at your footsteps, I totally love their concept. Shower water is been recovered to water their plants and toilet water is being filtered in a special way to eliminate bacteria before it reaches the groundwater again.

Being aware of the problems of waste and plastic on the small island, Adang Sea Divers & Eco Lodge provides their guests with a stainless steel water bottle which can be refilled with drinking water for free. Also, they organise weekly beach clean ups and are involved with other projects to keep Ko Lipe clean. Used in a funny way, they encourage people to use the ´Bum Gun´ to reduce the use of toilet paper.

Well organised dive center

Adang Sea Divers offers 4 dives a day in the high season and you can book each dive separately and just pick your time. Book your diving a bit in advance over the high season around Christmas as they can be very busy. But even though it must have been one of the busiest days of the year for Adang Sea Divers when I was there, everything was very well organised and the diving took places in small groups. I was on a Thai long tail boat with only one other couple and our dive guide!

Dive site Pattaya Corner on Ko Lipe

Because the sea conditions weren´t optimal, probably due to the giant super moon on 1 January 2018, we couldn´t go to the dive sites situated around the almost 20 islands you can find around Koh Lipe. However, they still could take us diving around Koh Lipe, so we went to dive Pattaya Corner that day. After a thorough dive briefing of the dive site in the dive centre we were provided by fruits and biscuits in the 5 minutes we needed to wait for our ´taxi´. We went by tuk-tuk to the beach where our dive boat and equipment already awaited us. After a short boat ride we jumped into the water of Pattaya Corner dive site.

Healthy corals in a slightly lower water temperature

The dive spot was completely covered by pink and purple like Hemprich´s soft coral among other types, it was just beautiful! I was surprised by the amount of fish I saw here, because we were so close to Ko Lipe, but the fish didn´t seem to be bothered by that. Big schools of snappers and surgeonfish as well tiny glassfish were welcoming us when we went down.

I was surprised to see my dive computer showing me a water temperature of 28 degrees Celsius which is 2 degrees lower than the waters around Koh Lanta and Phuket. This must be the reason why the corals look so much healthier in this part of Thailand. I guess it´s less affected by global warming and ´El Niño´.

A crazy trigger fish!

At some point a titan triggerfish somehow must have felt treated by us and started to follow us. Out of a sudden it started to quickly come closer to us in rapidly winding movements, before turning around in still a safe distance. It looked like it was trying to warn us: “Don´t come to close me, or even stare at me, or a get you!”.  It looked very funny though, because how brave is this little fish if you compare his size to ours! We had a good laugh about it afterwards.

Other fish life on Pattaya Corner

We also spotted a moray eel, lionfish, slugs and two nudibranchs making love together (affected by the full moon?) among butterflyfish, angelfish, batfish, anemonefish and pufferfish. Other things to see around Pattaya Corner include octopus, boxfish, porcupinefish, filefish and even the seahorse among much others fish and interesting sea life. I felt satisfied by this dive on the last day of 2017.

Fast boat rides by speedboat with Adang Sea Divers

Adang Sea Divers has a speedboat available to offer you a fast boat trip to the other beautiful dive sites around Koh Lipe. Some of these dive spots within the Tarutao National Park can be reached within 15 minutes. I will name a few of them here, but more information about all dive sites around Ko Lipe can be found here on the website of Adang Sea Divers.

Other dive sites around Ko Lipe

Stonehenge is the favourite dive site of the team. Hard and soft corals here give home to mackerel, tuna, devil rays, seahorse & ghost pipefish among other things. Talang is another favourite and due to the cleaning stations to be found here, also smaller things like nudibranch and shrimps can be spot among scorpionfish, stonefish, stingrays and travellies. The small island of Koh Taru offers hard corals and the marine life here include Harlequin shrimps, marbled rays among many other fish like named above.

There are also some dive spots a bit further away including the dive sites around Far Islands and Seven Rocks, a place which the dive center has recently discovered. 8 Miles Rock is known for a chance to see bigger fish including the whaleshark but can only booked as a special trip. You can read more here.

The marine life around Koh Lipe

The waters around Ko Lipe are a paradise for underwater photographers due to the huge amount of macro life among the healthy soft and hard corals. Besides a variety of big schools of fish, reef dwellers like cuttlefish, seahorses and pipefish are frequently found. Larger marine creatures like sea snakes, different types of sharks, rays and turtles can also be encountered. If you´re lucky, you can even see a whaleshark, sailfish or coral cat shark. You can read more about the marine life around Koh Lipe by clicking on this link.

Free accommodation during the low season!!

Unlike many other places in the Andaman Sea, especially the places North of Phuket, scuba diving on Koh Lipe is available all year round. In fact, the ´green season´ from the 15th of May till the 15th of October is considered the favourite dive season by many staff members. The good news is that you´ll get free accommodation in their eco lodge in this season if you do 2 dives a day.

Very friendly and professional team..

During my stay all the instructors were very friendly and helpful. The instructors and guides give you a very complete dive briefing and are available for a chat afterwards as well. Most of the staff is there long term so they know the dive sites well and can tell you everything about the marine life around Koh Lipe. Also, there was quiet a lot of staff with a variety of languages spoken. Guided diving is always done in a group of 4 divers max with one guide.

My conclusion about Adang Sea Divers

I think Adang Sea Divers really makes a difference on Koh Lipe Island. I have been chatting to the owners and I could sense their love for Ko Lipe. With the activities they do, and the way the diving is organised, you´ll notice that their heart is for diving and the oceans and it´s not only about the money like many dive centers nowadays. For me it´s no wonder that this PADI 5 star dive resort is rated number 1 on TripAdvisor.

The eco-friendly dive center of Adang Sea Divers is located on Sunrise Beach on Koh Lipe. All PADI courses are available from Discover Scuba and Open Water to Divemaster. High quality Aqualung rental equipment is available, night dives can be organised and if you like to dive with Nitrox, that´s possible too.

Tip for scuba diving on Ko Lipe:

• The best dive conditions are usually around half moon, so if you can, try to plan your trip on that. Although the diving will also be good if you come another time.
• Book your accommodation well in advance if you´re planning to go in the high season.

Thank you, Adang Sea Divers!!!

See more articles from Ellis at: http://www.ellisderkx.com

How I ended up in Hat Nai Yang, Thalang District on Phuket, Thailand

Exactly at the moment that I decided to escape the winter in Europe this year and go back diving again, I got a message from somebody telling me that he had opened his own dive center in Phuket, Thailand. We were both dive instructors in the Dominican Republic in 2008 and after that I accidently met him again on Malapascua Island, Philippines in 2012. That´s when we exchanged Facebooks and we kept in touch thereafter. At the moment he invited me to come over and dive with him, my plan was made! I booked a flight to Phuket and Manfred picked me up at the airport, showed me Hat Nai Yang, located in the North of Phuket Island, before dropping me off at the room I had booked for a month.

Nudibranch, photo by a fellow diver who wants to stay anonymous

Nai Yang Beach is a quiet and peaceful place for a diving holiday away from the crowds in Thailand!

In certain places, Phuket Island, in the south of Thailand, can get a bit crowded. If you would like to do something away from the masses and don´t like to hop on a liveaboard at Khao Lak, which is located north of Phuket, you might want to consider to do a diving holiday in Hat Nai Yang. Nai Yang is part of the Sirinath National Park and located in a beautiful area. The place is developed just enough with everything you need like bars, restaurants, minimarkets, massage salons, accommodation for all budgets and ATM´s. However, it´s a small, very laid back place away from the crowds. There´s a nice, long beach surrounded by nature and casuarina trees and there are only 2 dive centers in the whole village! It´s the perfect place for a quiet, relaxing time with some easy, but good quality diving, no matter whether you´re travelling around Thailand, planning to have a one-week vacation or just going on holiday with your family. Additionally, it´s a very safe place and I have seen solo female travellers and also families with young children.

Hat Nai Yang on Phuket Island in Thailand offers great diving just a stone´s throw away from the village!

Nai Yang is home to some great dive spots, which are just around the corner from the beach. They are all located between 10 and 30 minutes away by boat. To name a few, you can find ´Monkey Rock´, ´Lost Rock´, ´Hin 333´ and ´Hin Gluay´ are not even 10 minutes away; then there is the beautiful small island of ´Koh Waeo´ located at 20 minutes from the beach and finally the wreck called ´Tin Lizzy´ is reached within 30 minutes. Because the dive sites are so close you can do a double tank dive and be back in time for lunch. This makes it ideal to combine diving with some sightseeing or spending time in the afternoon with you family if you´re travelling with them. Most dive sites are around 8 – 20 metres deep. The Andaman Sea is part of the Indian Ocean. It is said to be home to more than 3000 different types of fish and over 500 unique corals.

Seagrass ghost pipefish, photo by Silvia Gegenwart

Three of my favourite dive spots from Nai Yang Beach

Dive site 1: The little islands of ´Koh Waeo´ off Phuket Island, Thailand

My first dive after I arrived in Nai Yang was at Koh Waeo, which is an amazing dive site. The 2 small islands of Koh Waeo are rock formations with a windblown palm tree on top. You can dive around all sides of both islands and even go through the small channel in between. Because of this there are a variety of dives here and every dive is different! We dived ´Kow Waeo West´ and came back through the small channel. When we first went down I was surprised by the amount of fish I saw there. The visibility was good too, about 10-15 metres, I guess. When we descended, I immediately spotted a huge masked porcupine fish (Diodon Liturosus) and a variety of fish and lots of big schools of fish. To name a few: boxfish, batfish, oriental sweetlips, angelfish, damselfish, different species of clownfish or anemonefish, groupers, triggerfish and surgeonfish. During the dive we also spotted 4 octopuses (Octopus Vulgaris), a Kuhl´s stingray (Dasyatis Kuhlii), trumpetfish (Aulostomus Chinensis) and cornetfish (Fistularia Commersonii). Knowing that this part of Thailand was hit by the tsunami in 2004, I was positively impressed with the state of the coral reefs. The reefs we dived contain a high diversity of corals, including soft and hard corals, sea fans, anemones, gorgonians, pinnacles, whip corals and barrel sponges. The coral reef is home to a lot of macro life as well.

Green turtle, photo by Silvia Gegenwart

Dive site 2: Stone Coral Garden

Stone Coral Garden is a shallow dive site with lots of coral and fish similar to Koh Waeo. The site is a bit closer to Nai Yang beach and the visibility was even better, probably because it´s a bit more protected from the open sea. This site will be amazing for beginners and what a spoiled diver you will become if you do you´re Open Water course here! There´s even more macro to be spot here and I lost count of the number of nudibranchs I saw. After 20 minutes I saw a green turtle (Chelonia Mydas) right in front of me, it swam away for a while before turning back and swimming another circle around us. The green turtle is one of the endangered species listed by IUCN and CITES. Right after that, I saw two seagrass ghost pipefishes (Solenostomus Cyanopterus), or robust ghost pipefish if you like. Wow, I´ve never seen this type of ghost pipefish before, something to tick of my ´underwater bucketlist´! To make the dive even more complete we spotted 2 big lobsters under the coral, a lionfish and 3 brightly coloured crown-of-thorns starfishes (Acanthaster Planci). Amazing, I was very satisfied when climbing back on the boat.

Dive site 3: The wreck dive ´Tin Lizzy´ close to Bang Tao Beach, Phuket Island, Thailand

Tin Lizzy is a wreck from a Chinese excavator which came to dig for the mining of tin, many years ago. It´s said to have been sunk in the early 90s. The wreck is situated in about 14 metres of water. You can swim around and over the remains of the tin dredger and it attracts a huge amount of fish life. Only then did I realise that the one lionfish spotted at Stone Coral Garden, was nothing! I´m not sure how many lionfish I´ve seen but at one time I spotted about 10 together in a group just on top of the wreck. Although lionfish are considered a pest in some parts of the world, around Nai Yang the numbers have been stable for many years. Big schools of fish swim around the large buckets and there´s life to be spotted all over the place. Groups of barracuda´s, pufferfish, batfish, I saw different species of moray eels, scorpionfish and a lot of macro life including shrimps, nudibranchs and wart slugs! Other stuff included porcupinefish, trumpetfish, groupers and triggerfish. I recommend that you bring a torch to look under overhangs and in the holes.

Crown-of-thorns starfish, photo by Ellis Derkx

My experience: Diving with Aqua One Watersports in Nai Yang, Phuket.

I was so happy to be back in warm water! After wearing my 7mm, extra 2mm vest and a hood on the Canary Islands, I felt so grateful to dive again in a 3mm surfsuit which my friend from New Zealand left me as a present upon leaving Europe. And still I was warm after an one-hour dive!

A typical day of diving at Aqua One Dive Center in Phuket is very relaxed. As soon as you arrive in the dive center, the staff will take care of you. You can have a nice breakfast in Mingly´s Café, it´s located right next to the dive center and the café opens at 07.00 am. Ming is very friendly and makes very good coffee and amazing breakfasts. Once your equipment is packed and your paperwork is filled out, you will be brought to the beach by pick up truck. There´s no need to carry your tank or equipment to the boat, it will be done for you as part of the service. You will get a complete safety briefing for the dive, the boat and the spot you´re going to. The speedboat provides a quick, comfortable ride to the dive sites, on the way you can enjoy the beautiful view over the coast of this part of Phuket Island. For more information about Aqua One Watersports, click on the links above or click here for their Facebook page.

Lionfish, photo by a fellow diver who wants to stay anonymous

During the surface interval on the boat you will be provided with water, bananas and biscuits and you can even enjoy a cup of coffee! Manfred, the owner of Aqua One Watersports, or the instructor / guide will asist you before, during and after your dives; mking you feel very comfortable. The diving is always done in small groups of 4 divers max with 1 guide. Once you return back to the divecentre, the staff will wash your equipment for you while you can enjoy a chat with your fellow divers in the laid back dive center.

Whilst chatting to one of the other divers, who comes here on a regular basis, I discovered that the whaleshark can be seen here too! You have to be lucky, but he spotted one on a previous holiday! After having done about 10 dives around Nai Yang with Aqua One Watersports, I´m still excited to go again. Courses are offered from beginners to pro, snorkelers are welcome, night dives can be organised as well as day trips to the Similan and Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, Ratcha-, Phi Phi Islands and more. High quality rental gear is available mostly all from the brand Aqualung.

Moray, photo by a fellow diver who wants to stay anonymous

My conclusion about a diving holiday in Hat Nai Yang

I think Hat Nai Yang is a perfect place for either a dive holiday, to start your travels around Thailand or to get warmed up before you go on a liveaboard. The place is ideal too if you´re looking for dive courses or planning to learn to dive, with shallow, easy dive sites a few minutes away by boat. Nai Yang is located less than 3 km away from Phuket International Airport. For about 300 Baht you can get a taxi from the airport to your accommodation! Phuket Town is located 30 km away. The water temperature is around 29-30 degrees Celcius. Rooms can be found for a price between 800 – 1200 Baht. I heard positive feedback from a fellow diver staying in Eco Guesthouse. The place is located 500 m from the beach and offers rooms for about 1200 Baht a night. There are also rooms to be found right at the beach. There are lots of good places to eat all around. At the beach, you can choose between restaurants offering Thai and international food or the food stalls on the street offering lovely, authentic Thai food. If you come out of the ´Walking Street´ the second one on the left with an umbrella next to the stall, is the place I like a lot. They have Thai dishes, pancakes and vegetarian spring rolls. There are shops offering day tours to the islands around Phuket, you can book massages as everywhere in Thailand and there are some basic supermarkets too. For the night owls there are some bars to hang out and enjoy a beer or a cocktail.

Read more articles at: http://www.ellisderkx.com

With just a few days to go until DIVE 2017 at the NEC, diving holiday specialists, Regaldive, have unveiled a range of exciting new dive show offers. These special deals are available from 13 October 2017 and will be offered for a limited period after the dive show.

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Regaldive’s Autumn Sale runs from 13 October until 3 November 2017.

© John Butland – Regaldive

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Andreas Elia, Director of Regaldive commented, “The Regaldive Team is really looking forward to seeing guests old and new at DIVE 2017. This year we will be on stand 412 at the NEC, so please do stop by for a chat and let us help you with your holiday plans. We are delighted to pass on these great savings to our customers in order to bring you the best value diving holidays possible.”

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* Regaldive’s Autumn Sale is subject to Terms and Conditions – please see here