Restrictions on tourist numbers to Similan Islands – book early

Similan Islands snorkeling tour

Numbers to be limited at the Similan Islands The Similan Islands national parks department has this month (October 2018) announced a restriction on the number of daily visitors to the Similan Islands national park. This is part of an ongoing commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the archipelago. From now on only 3,000 non divers and 525 divers per day will be allowed to enter the national park. (That’s Read More …

Snorkeling with manta rays

Manta

Snorkeling with manta rays Where to snorkel with manta rays in Thailand It seems like every one is seeing manta rays at the moment. They are being seen by guests on the Reggae Queen liveaboard. The most common place for sightings is Koh Bon which has always been the best place, it’s where the mantas come to be cleaned. They are also being seen at Koh Tachai. Both Koh Bon Read More …

Join the dive boat and go snorkeling

MV Namsai

Khao Lak snorkelling tour recommendation Update 2017: This tour is no longer running Recently we’ve been recommending that snorkelers who want to explore the reefs at the Similan Islands join a day trip dive boat from Khao Lak rather than join a speedboat tour. We think the dive boat (slow boat) offers a better all round experience and the feedback is reflecting that. Hi Paul Just a quick note to Read More …

Snorkeling and SCUBA day trips

Coral Island scuba

Snorkeling and SCUBA diving combined If you want a day trip that combines diving and snorkeling here are some options. These boats are mostly geared towards divers but may suit diver/snorkel couples: 1. Similan Islands. Join the dive boat for a 2 dive day trip to Thailand’s best dive destination. The price for certified divers is 5,600 baht plus national park fees and SCUBA gear rental. This is for certified Read More …

Diving and snorkeling in Thailand

DSD

  Diving and snorkeling in Thailand Normally we offer snorkeling day trips to snorkelers and diving day trips to certified divers but sometimes we get requests for mixed diver and snorkeler couples who would like to join a boat where they can do both. Or snorkelers may like the option to try diving for the first time, just to get an idea what it is like without committing to the Read More …

Reviews of snorkeling liveaboards

Reggae Queen guests

Reviews of snorkeling liveaboards Here are two more positive reviews from two of the best liveaboard boats for snorkeling from Khao Lak to the Similan Islands and Surin Islands. I know I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, the liveaboards are the best way to see the Similan and Surin islands and escape the day trippers. These boats run from November to April when the national parks are Read More …

Moray Eel facts

Moray eel free swimming

Moray eels There are around 200 species of Moray Eel in the planet’s oceans. They are fish not reptiles despite their snake like appearance and lack of pectoral and pelvic fins. They are a shy animal but sightings are common in Thailand. The most common one that you’ll see while diving and snorkeling in Thailand is the biggest of the lot, the Giant Moray (Gymnothorax javanicus) which can get to Read More …

Uncrowded snorkeling tours

saimai sun deck

Paradise is popular! Many people visiting Phuket seem surprised by the number of tourists here. The island gets about 6 million passengers transiting through Phuket airport each year.  Added to these are backpackers travelling overland and domestic tourists, a new and fast growing group. All these people want to do day tours to the tourist attractions that they’ve heard about. Many of you are looking to see these sights without Read More …

Koh Similan Island number 8

similan sail rock

Koh Similan Following on from yesterday’s post that showed how busy Koh Miang (island number 4) can get with day trippers I want to post some photos taken on the same day at island number 8 (Koh Similan) in a place where the day trippers don’t go. If you only do a day trip to the Similan Islands you’ll leave feeling that it’s a very crowded place but if you stay Read More …