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Similan liveaboards are a unique and exciting way to explore the underwater world that the Andaman Sea has to offer. They range in duration from 2 day 2 night to 5 day 6 night trips, and in class from budget to high end. There is a Similan liveaboard suitable for every budding diver wanting to venture out to the Similan Islands.
A Similan liveaboard is ideal for diving enthusiats and a great enviroment for perfecting your diving skills. A liveaboard is also the safest and most economical way to dive the Similan Islands. What’s more a liveaboard is fun and an experience you won’t forget for a long, long time.
Most Similan Liveaboards offer 4 dives per day, so on a 4 day trip your log book can quickly bulk out with an extra 14 dives. This is not only an added bonus as you get to see more, but it also increases your experience with diving quickly. The fact that there are no lengthy boat rides to endure before its time to jump is also an added bonus and even kitting up is easy. You set up your equipment once at the start of the trip and do not have to disassemble until after the last dive.
“Basically, maximising your time underwater is what a liveaboard is all about, however, there is much more to a liveaboard dive trip.”
What most people enjoy from their Similan liveaboard experience is the pace at which the diving is conducted. You wake near the dive site and will be full of excitement knowing you will soon be getting in the water.
Only on a Similan liveaboard will you have the chance to get to all the best dive sites that the Similan National Marine Park has to offer. As there is more time, it’s possible to travel out to the further sites between dives. This makes it much more economical than choosing a number of Similan day trips. It is economical for this reason not only for your time, but also for your wallet.
On a Similan Liveaboard you will get more dives for your money than on a Similan daytrip. As everything is usually included on a liveaboard (food, soft drinks accommodation, transfers) you also save money on these basic expenses.
For the beginner diver, being immersed in this world of diving, you soon feel much more confident underwater as you learn from other people’s experiences and diving stories. Everyone on board, either as part of a holiday or short break from work is there to enjoy diving which all adds to a great atmosphere.
In general most trips start off at the easier dive sites, and gradually move to more advanced sites throughout the trip. Our Similan liveaboard route will give you an idea of the sites you will visit and it features photographs of what you might see.
With the dives spread over a ten to twelve hour period it is possible to have longer surface intervals between dives. This is important to ensure that you have enough time between dives keeping your body in the right pressure group and safety level, and in turn an efficient and relaxed dive schedule.
Enriched Air Nitrox is more commonly available on a Similan liveaboard, especially on our recommended boats. Diving Nitrox on your liveaboard greatly reduces your exposure to nitrogen on repetitive dives.
The location of a Similan liveaboard for surface intervals could not be better. Between dives, especially around the Similan Islands, the boat will never be far from a sheltered bay. Here the stunning scenery provides the perfect back drop to your time on the surface. You will also be fed well.
Eating is an important part of daily life in Thailand, so food on a Similan liveaboard is usually delicious and freshly cooked. After eating you can study the fish books, identifying what you have seen underwater, go for a swim or snorkel, relax with a book or as most people end up doing, having a sleep to feel fully charged for the next dive.
“There is saying well used by dive staff when on a liveaboard, dive, eat, sleep, repeat.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of joining a Similan liveaboard is the interesting people you meet. Everyone on a liveaboard has diving in common so it is not long before you feel like you are in the company of old friends. This is especially good for those travelling alone.
Thailand Dive and Sail have vast experience when it comes to choosing the right liveaboard to meet your requirements, ask our experts if you would like our experience to work for you.
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