Thailand Dive and Sail • Scuba Diving Liveaboard and Sail Boats departing from Khao Lak • Trip Booking and Private Charters • Similan Islands Thailand • Mergui Archipelago Burma • Andaman Islands India
Bookmark on Delicious
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As follows, please find a list of the questions we are frequently asked regarding our services, live-aboard trips in general and the areas to which we travel. Should you not find the information you seek here, please feel free to mail us your questions using the form at the bottom of the page. We will do our best to provide you with the answers you need as quickly as possible, and even add your question to our list of FAQ's.
Q: Will I pay more booking through your website?A: No, you will not pay more to Thailand Dive & Sail for using our services, than in booking directly with a dive operator. The advantage of booking with us is that we provide a full spectrum of experience and services encompassing all of your trip needs, from transfers, accommodation, equipment tips and rental, to environmental, technical and community service information. Because of our local presence, we are also on-site to arrange and access special local offers.
Q: There are so many booking agencies and dive operators, how can I be sure I am getting the best information and deals?
A: We created this site for exactly that purpose: to provide guests with a concise, reliable and complete overview of all criteria and information required to obtain the best deal and plan a trip to the Andaman Sea area. Our site has been conceptualized and constructed personally by people actually out working in the local diving community. We are thus able to pass on the savings and deals to our customers which we receive directly from cooperating dive operations.
Q: I am an inexperienced diver, is a live-aboard trip advisable?
If you have not dived in a while or are a beginner, you are welcome to participate in most live-aboard trips. There will be others on all trips with whom you may dive together in a group of similar experience level, in only those conditions suitable to your abilities, if possible. We recommend that you speak honestly with both ourselves and your dive operator to discuss your individual capabilities. Thus, you may ensure that you will be able to dive those sites suitable to your needs, and avoid those situations for which you have no training or experience.
If you are certified, but unsure as to the advisability of your participation in a live-aboard trip, or have not dived within the past twelve months before your trip date, we recommend that you participate in a one-day refresher or review program, which can be organized locally, usually only a day before your live-aboard departure.
Dive groups consist of a maximum of four certified divers per divemaster guide. If you feel you may need additional attention, a private divemaster may be hired to accompany you upon the trip for an additional fee of approximately THB 1500-2000 per day. Please contact Thailand Dive & Sail for highly-recommended private guides.
Q: Are there any live-aboards appropriate for families with junior certified divers?
A: The Thai people on the whole are extremely child-friendly, and live-aboard crews are usually very family-oriented groups of people who have been working together for years. Junior certified divers are therefore welcome and will be made comfortable on most live-aboard safaris.
Dive groups consist of a maximum of four certified divers per divemaster guide. If you feel that your junior divers may need additional, individual attention, a private divemaster may be hired to accompany you upon the trip for an additional fee of approximately THB 1500-2000 per day. Please contact Thailand Dive & Sail for highly-recommended private guides, as well as current recommendations for families.
Q: Must I dive to participate in a live-aboard trip?
No, you are welcome to participate in all live-aboard trips as a snorkeller or just a relaxed guest enjoying the sun and peace. There will usually be a discount on the total price for a non-diving guest.
Q: What should I take with me on a live-aboard?
Please see our Essential Live-Aboard Guide for a comprehensive list of items to bring on your live-aboard trip.
Q: What happens if I were to become ill or injured during a live-aboard trip?
Safety comes first on all (TDS recommended) live-aboards. Your diving staff are highly-trained in emergency-response procedures and first-aid assistance in and out of the water. The live-aboard boats are equipped with complete first-aid kits, medicines and 100% medical oxygen tanks and equipment. Careful and efficient evacuation procedures to the nearest appropriate medical facility are in place at all times should a guest require secondary emergency medical treatment.
Q: Will I be insured for accidents by the dive operator?
The dive operator cannot be held liable for personal accidents or injuries incurred during a live-aboard trip, despite the highly-trained and experienced crew. As a diver, you assume your own risks. You will be asked to sign a form waiving your dive operator from liability in the event of accident or injury to your person. Further, the live-aboard operator cannot assume responsibility for any items lost, misplaced or stolen on the live-aboard boats. We recommend purchasing diving accident and travel insurance for the duration of your live-aboard trip. Thailand Dive & Sail can arrange your dive insurance
Q: What is your cancellation / refund policy?
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions.
Q: Where may I leave my luggage and valuables during a live-aboard trip?
Your dive operator will gladly stow your excess luggage during your trip. They will also have a safe in which you may stow any valuables such as cash and credit cards, passports and jewelry. Alternately, you may usually arrange to store your luggage at your hotel for the duration.Please refer to our Terms and Conditions.
Q: How much local currency should I bring on a live-aboard trip?
On live-aboard boats operating in Thailand, approximate usual prices for items on board are 60-100 THB for beer, 3000-6000 THB for a trip DVD, 200-300 THB for T-shirts, 100-200 THB for a logbook. Additionally, it is customary to pay the Thai boat crew 500-1000 THB per guest in cash tips per trip, less for a day-trip. You may also tip your dive guide or instructor. Please check with Thailand Dive & Sail whether or not your National Park fees are included in your booking price. If not, you will also need to have THB 400 general admission fees + THB 200 per diving day in cash with you.
Q: Can I use my laptop / charge my phone or camera on the boat?
Most live-aboard boats provide electrical outlets in the cabins and common areas. For specifics, please refer to our individual boat overviews.
Q: Is there phone reception during the trip?
The answer to that is SOMETIMES. If you need to place an emergency call and find there is no reception, you may want to just wait a while, or the captain will assist you with a radio call.
Q: Will we be able to visit the islands on our trip?
Yes! Your live-aboard crew will be happy to accompany you to the appropriate island beaches and rocky lookouts several times during your trip. Transport from your live-aboard to the islands may be via longtail boat or dinghy. You may also snorkel to the islands. Should you wish to bring any items that you wish to keep dry, such as towels or non-waterproof cameras, it is advisable to take a waterproof bag. Items such as T-shirts and cigarettes may also be purchased on some of the islands. Please see our map of the Similan Islands and the available facilities and favorite landmarks.
Q: Where is the best place to stay before / after the live-aboard trip?
We will be happy to make a recommendation or a booking to suit your requirements. Please find a list of our favorite accommodations to suit all budgets.
Q: Which documentation do I need to bring and forms do I need to complete for the dive operator?
Please bring your diving certification cards, your logbook, and, should you have any medical conditions requiring attention, a Diving Medical Release Form signed by a doctor in your home country. Your dive operator will also require you to complete and sign a Medical Statement, Liability Release form and a Standard Safe Diving Practices Statement of Understanding.
Q: I've heard of blast-fishing on the Burmese coastline. Does this pose a threat to our trip?
A: Blast-fishing in Burmese waters is a method of fishing in which a particular area rich with fish is blasted by local fishermen. The fish are then 'skimmed' up onto the boats and taken back to harbour for sale and processing. While we do not support this type of fishing, we are unable to avoid it. On a trip to the Mergui Archipelago, it may occur that blasts are heard while diving. Though far away, these blasts may be quite loud, as sound carries more rapidly in water, but we assure you that it is less destructive than it sounds. Corals and sea fans are able to withstand the blasts. We do not dive in areas in which we are likely to encounter any blasting in the near vicinity.
back to top
ASK YOUR OWN QUESTION
we may even add your question to our FAQs
Burma Trip - only boat around for days
"Es ist früher Vormittag, aber die Sonne brennt schon auf der Haut. Ich stehe mit einem heißen Kaffee in der Hand an der Reling der ´MY Jazz´ und genieße den blauen Himmel und die Landschaft der vorüberziehenden kleinen Inseln des Mergui- Archipels. Auf der Suche nach einem schönen und erlebnisreichen Ziel für meine erste Tauchsafari bin ich bei einem Landstrich angekommen, der eigentlich für pure Armut und eine bis an die Zähne bewaffnete Militärdiktatur bekannt ist - BURMA bzw. Myanmar...! Marineschnellboote o.ä. sind jedoch nicht in Sicht - lediglich ein paar einzelne archaische Fischerboote passieren die Jazz. Je weiter wir uns der offenen See nähern, desto klarer wird das Wasser, fliegende Fische und springende Delphine rundeten das spielfilmreife Ambiente ab, und die Vorfreude auf 3-4 Tauchgänge pro Tag in der kommenden Woche wächst zusehends bei den 12 Tauchern und 3 Tauchguides aus 7 Nationen. Und um es vorweg zu nehmen - in der gesamten Zeit in den burmesischen Gewässern waren wir das einzige Tauchboot weit und breit. Die ´Jazz´ ist zwar schon etwas in die Tage gekommen, aber dafür sehr gemütlich und funktional ausgerüstet. Die Crew empfing uns sofort mit offenen Armen, und Bi Mai bekochte uns nach allen Regeln der thailändischen Kochkunst. Die Guides hatten immer ein offenes Ohr und jederzeit alles im Griff. Allabendlich saßen wir beim Dekobierchen zusammen und klönten über Erfahrungen, Gott und die Welt und schauten über den einen oder anderen Tellerrand hinweg. Die ersten 3 TG´ e am ´Western Rocky´ ließen kaum Wünsche offen. Die Palette der Unterwasserwelt war bunt gemischt und hielt für fast jeden Geschmack etwas bereit. Man wusste teilweise gar nicht, wohin man zuerst schauen sollte - so mannigfaltig war die Flora und Fauna. Herrliche Hart- und Weichkorallen säumten unsere Wege genauso, wie große Stachelrochen und ein 1 m großer Zackenbarsch in einer 25 m langen und ziemlich engen Felshöhle, die wir durchtauchten. Die ersten schönen Eindrücke wurden leider durch eine Dynamitexplosion der einheimischen Fischer in einiger Entfernung getrübt. Unsere Tauchguides wiesen uns im Nachhinein darauf hin, dass wir unter Wasser auf zerborstene Behälter (z.B. Benzinkanister) achten sollten...! An den folgenden Tagen sollten wir zu spüren bekommen, warum das Mergui- Archipel nur für erfahrene Taucher geeignet ist. Die Strömung ist teilweise gewaltig, und auch die Dünung spülte uns mitunter bis zu 15 Meter hin und her - quasi Karussell fahren unter Wasser für lau und mit jeder Menge Spaß, wenn man sich und seine Ausrüstung im Griff hat...! Trotzdem verloren wir nicht den Blick fürs Wesentliche und konnten einige Raritäten, wie z.B. Geisterpfeifenfisch, Harlekinshrimps, Mantashrimps, Porzellankrebse, einen Oktopus, Kalmare, Seepferdchen und Stachelrochen ausmachen. Steinfische, Skorpionfische und viele Arten von Muränen und Nacktschnecken sowie schöne Fischschwärme waren bei jedem TG obligatorisch. Letztere wurden allerdings zum Schluss seltener, und der Grund dafür sollte uns schon bald zu Ohren kommen...! Vor der ´South Flanker Island´ auf 20 Metern Tiefe detonierte eine Dynamitladung in unserer unmittelbaren Nähe. Das Fischerboot ankerte auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite der Insel, und ob sie uns nun gesehen haben oder nicht, ändert nichts an der ohrenbetäubenden Explosion, die uns die nackte Angst in die Glieder jagte. Ich dachte: ´So muss sich Krieg anhören!´. Dass an diesem Riff kaum Fische zu sehen waren, erklärte sich nun von selbst. Wenn man den Blickwinkel wechselt, kann man natürlich nachvollziehen, dass die Fischer hier so zu Werke gehen, da sie schließlich um das nackte Überleben kämpfen. Dass sie dadurch die Unterwasserwelt und somit ihre Einkommensquelle nachhaltig schädigen, ist ihnen dabei wahrscheinlich gar nicht bewusst oder schlichtweg egal. Nachdem wir uns am letzten Abend bei einem Landgang davon überzeugen konnten, dass Burma besser und schöner ist, als sein Ruf, nahmen wir am 5. Tag wieder Kurs auf Thailand zum Richelieu Rock. Einige Taucher schwärmten in höchsten Tönen von diesem Tauchspot, und während der 2 TG´ e konnte ich mich davon überzeugen, dass sie kein Seemannsgarn erzählten. Fantastische Fischschwärme, herrlicher Korallenbewuchs wie im Bilderbuch, riesige Muränen, Zackenbarsche und, und, und...! Das Highlight für mich war, dass ich minutenlang in einem riesigen Fischschwarm quasi eins mit der Natur war - einfach unvergesslich. Am letzten Tauchtag ankerten wir in Erwartung jeder Menge Großfisch vor Koh Bon. Nun ja - was soll ich sagen - tatsächlich beim letzten TG kam er aus dem Nichts daher geschwebt - ein 4 Meter großer MANTA und dazu noch mein erster überhaupt...!!! Ein Wahnsinnsanblick und wieder eine Goldmünze mehr in meiner geistigen Schatzkiste...!!! Alles in Allem war diese Safari auf jeden Fall eine Reise wert. Auch, wenn es ein paar Wermutstropfen gab, überwiegten doch die positiven Erfahrungen und Eindrücke auf und ´unter´ der Jazz. Die Guides Clive und Rick machten sich in der Zwischenzeit selbständig (www.thailanddiveandsail.com) und bieten jetzt eigene Tauchsafaris in der Andamanensee und ins Mergui- Archipel in Burma an."
★★★★★ by PeterN 04.09.2011
TAT Number: L.34/00715 • Rated *** by WorldDivingReview