Baby sharks at Surin Islands

blacktip reef sharks

Baby black tip reef sharks One of the best places to see reef sharks while snorkeling is at the Surin Islands. This video was taken by snorkelers on the Sawan snorkeling liveaboard which runs 3 day 3 night trips to the Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai. Increasingly these trips spend more time at Surin and less at the Similan Islands, in fact sometimes they skip the Similan Islands all Read More …

Scorpionfish facts

Scorpionfish

All you need to know about scorpionfish Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) are present in large numbers in the Indo-Pacific region but many snorkelers will never spot them because scorpionfish are masters of desguise on the reef. They can be anything from 10-50 centemetres long with colours and markings that blend in with the surrounding coral. Some species can also change their colour and some look like reef flora (weedy scorpionfish and leaf Read More …

Caring for snorkeling gear

Defog your mask

Caring for snorkeling gear Your snorkeling equipment will probably come with the manufacturers advise for care and maintenance and you should follow that. Below are some general guidelines on caring for snorkeling gear to help extend the life of your equipment. Before you use your new mask for the first time it’s necessary to remove a thin layer of silicone off the mask lens which is left over from the Read More …

Choosing a snorkel

snorkel

Choosing a snorkel There are a few things to consider when choosing a snorkel. The basic plastic tubes of years gone by have been replaced by much more advanced designs that are well worth investing in. A good quality snorkel is very dry and easy to breath through, you should never need to raise your head from the water to spit out a mouthful of water. Purge valve: A good Read More …

Buying a mask and snorkel

Mask and snorkel

Buying a mask and snorkel If you are trying to decide whether it’s worthwhile buying your own mask and snorkel set or if you should just rent a mask and snorkel when you need it please allow us to offer some advice. Buy your own. Most of the snorkel tours that we offer provide free use of mask and snorkel (not fins). The quality is ok too, but it’s still Read More …

Why snorkeling?

Why Snorkeling. Some reasons to go snorkeling Snorkeling is cheap. You don’t need to buy expensive scuba diving gear or pay for lessons to get certified. Most snorkeling tours are cheaper than dive tours because there is less equipment involved. Anyone can snorkel. From young kids to pensioners, if you can swim you can snorkel. Even if you can’t swim you can wear a flotation devise and still enjoy snorkeling. Snorkeling Read More …

Phi Phi tour review

Maya bay

Phi Phi tour review This Phi Phi Tour Review is from Gabriella, who went on the Phi Phi Deluxe Plus day trip from Phuket to Phi Phi, Bamboo Island, Mosquito Island, Monkey Beach, Koh Yao and the Kai Islands in January. OMG Paul It was amazing! The ride to the Phi Phi Islands was choppy but I found it quite funny that it was crazy and people were looking like they wanted Read More …

Koh Haa Snorkeling

Snorkeling on the dive boat

Koh Haa snorkeling We are just back from a Koh Haa snorkeling weekend aboard MV Saimai liveaboard. We spent three days snorkeling with family and friends at Phi Phi and Koh Haa. We chartered the Saimai so that we could avoid the Phi Phi crowds. It’s great to wake up in Maya Bay as the sun rises with no other boats around. By 7.30 am the first long tail boats Read More …

MV Sawan Snorkeling Liveaboard Review

Sawan snorkeling liveaboard

Sawan snorkeling liveaboard review This feedback from Lydia who went snorkeling with Sawan (aka Reggae Queen) to Similan, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Surin this February. We had a fabulous time. Lovely itinerary with lots of snorkelling, trips to the islands, visits to the Monken.  Great boat with lovely staff and fantastic food. Will go again when in Thailand. For more info on these excellent 3 day 3 night trips out Read More …