SOUTHERN THAILAND

Year:2002

SOUTHERN THAILAND

The Andaman Sea: an underwater wonder

Season: December-May

Visibility: 15-35 metres

Water temperature: 26-28°C

The tumbling granite rocks of the Similan Islands, the Surins and world famous Richelieu Rock offer experienced divers some truly thrilling experiences in the eastern Andaman Sea. Magnificent coral reef diving is enhanced by the possibility of Whale Shark and Manta Ray encounters during the spring months as these amazing giants of the sea migrate along the west coast of Thailand. The southern section of the Mergui Archipelago and the open ocean seamounts of the Burma Banks offer a fascinating and unusual underwater terrain ­ this is wilderness diving at its most exciting. There can be little doubt that liveaboard diving here offers one of the finest opportunities to view some of the ocean's biggest fish!

THE SIMILAN ISLANDS

The Similan Islands are located some 80-100 kilometres northwest of the popular holiday island of Phuket and are one of Thailand's National Parks. Composed of nine granite islands, covered in dense jungle and fringed with beautiful sandy bays, the Similans offer some of the most varied dives for the experienced diver. Each island has its own name but everyone knows them simply by number. Many of the islands have gorgeous beaches with talcum powder-like sand. Diving off the Similans offers two completely different types of diving. The eastern sides of the islands are sheltered from the prevailing summer monsoon winds and feature dive sites with flourishing hard and soft corals studded with anemones. Here you can take a drift dive amongst colourful coral gardens, richly populated with brilliantly coloured reef fish. Dives on the exposed western side, which receives the full force of the southwesterly monsoon blowing from late May to September, are a different proposition with remarkably strong currents which swirl around the giant granite boulders, making diving more strenuous and navigation more important. The rewards for the adventurous diver include exciting swim-throughs and a superb variety of fish on show. Leopard Sharks and Blue-spotted Stingrays are often seen. Garden eels peep shyly from their homes and larger moray eels can be found lurking in their daytime hideouts. Soft corals cover every available ledge and boulder. Huge gorgonians fan out into the current and yellow tube sponges add their brilliance to the underwater scene. Jawfish, the elegant Ornate Ghost Pipefish, frogfish and Ribbon Eels are amongst some of the rarer creatures that your divemaster will be pleased to help you find. For those with an interest in marine biology it would be hard to find a more fascinating destination. At Elephant Head the underwater terrain is quite breathtaking. Huge boulders form daring swim-throughs with caverns, arches and grottoes to explore. Hard corals give way to soft corals at depth. Both the elegant Imperial and Emperor Angelfish can be found here, along with schools of Yellowtail Snappers and Yellowtail Fusiliers. Currents can be strong at East of Eden, but a moderate current will enable divers to search for the elusive Bowmouth Guitarfish or perhaps encounter a Leopard Shark. Another dive site which can sometimes be swept with current is the small collection of rocks which break the surface of the water at Sharkfin Reef. Swim through an opening in the rock to dive either side of this dive site. Some of the classic fish of tropical reefs can be observed here, including the elegant Moorish Idol, bannerfish, batfish and surgeonfish. Passing sharks and rays can also be observed from this area. Because there is a lack of mooring sites, or if the sea is too rough to hook on to one, several of these dive sites involve knowing how to make a 'live-boat dive' entries. This involves jumping into the water while the boat is still moving, although the engines are shut down!

KOH TACHAI

AND RICHELIEU ROCK

Lying just a few kilometres from the Burmese border, the five Surin Islands are closely grouped, with the main island larger than any of the Similans and covered in verdant forest, with a few fruit trees and some deciduous trees bearing rich colonies of epiphytes. A small community of Chao Ley Sea Gypsies lives on the east coast. Well to the south of the Surins is the island of Koh Tachai, a famous dive site with some spectacular underwater scenery as well as superb marine life. At the island's southern point, two large rock pinnacles project from the reef. Schools of batfish and barracudas circle the site, which is also popular with stingrays and many other fish. Huge sea fans make good use of the moderate or strong currents.

Listed as one of the world's top locations for spotting Whale Sharks and Manta Rays, Richelieu Rock, covered in soft corals, acts like a magnet in attracting fish. Spotfin and Common Lionfish, Moorish Idols, Bearded Scorpionfish, Titan Triggerfish along with urchins, crabs and a variety of nudibranchs are found here. Being the only major source of food in this part of the underwater realm there is little wonder that this is a premier site for large pelagics with Rainbow Runners, Great Barracuda, jacks, tuna and trevallies often found hunting. This truly special dive site offers opportunities to observe some of nature's most prized and spectacular secrets: mating cuttlefish, swirls of schooling barracudas and, of course, the Whale Sharks and Manta Rays. More Whale Sharks are encountered at Richelieu Rock than any other location in Thailand and it is justifiably known as THE place to see Whale Sharks. Furthermore, one animal will often stay around for several hours enabling the diver to swim with this huge fish that must surely be every diver's holy grail. A dive with a Whale Shark is incomparable. Such size, such elegance, such beauty is hard to describe, but the reality is so incredible that if you are lucky enough to be so favoured the memory will live with you forever!

THE MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO

AND THE BURMA BANKS

This area of over a hundred islands and reefs has one feature that the Thai dive sites lack: good anchorages. The many deserted coves and bays are fringed with white sandy beaches and the crew of Ocean Rover reckon that there is a bay for every boat in any weather! Mostly uninhabited and rarely visited, these islands invite exploration. Black Rock is definitely a 'high voltage' dive. As the crew of Ocean Rover say, there must be many fabulous small creatures here, but it is difficult to concentrate on them when you are being buzzed by sharks, rays and schools of big jacks! Recent sightings include Bull, Grey Reef, White-tipped Reef and Silver-tipped Sharks. Rays, too, are well represented here with sightings of Manta Ray, Marbled Ray, Jenkins' Ray and the rare Mangrove Ray. Schooling Mobula Rays and Spotted Eagle Rays are also on the list... and the crew say their explorations are only beginning! In the Burma Banks, which are so far offshore that only the bigger liveaboards can make the journey, the emphasis is also on shark encounters. With no coastline or islands in site, the banks have to be located by GPS. The four banks, Silvertip, Rainbow Reef, Roe and Big Banks, are swept by strong abrasive currents which have created gothic-like coral and rock formations with large plate and table corals, some up to 5 metres in diameter. Western Rocky island, located in open ocean fifty miles from the nearest shore, has a sloping reef on the northeast side and wall diving elsewhere. The sandy bottom, at about 30 metres, is dotted with boulders and coral heads. A large tunnel runs right through the length of the island and large Nurse Sharks sleep here along with scores of crayfish. On almost every dive sharks are seen. White-tipped Reef, Grey Reef, Black-tip Reef, Bull and Nurse are amongst the most commonly sighted species. Submerged reefs surrounding the island are covered with large fan corals and very colourful soft corals.

Currents in all the Thailand and Burma dive sites can be strong, with surface conditions frequently choppy. This is a destination for good sailors and more experienced divers.

OCEAN ROVER

For several years we had the privilege of working with Fantasea Divers in Phuket and sending our clients to cruise the waters of Thailand and Burma on their liveaboard boat, Fantasea. In summer 2000 Fantasea was replaced by a purpose-built boat, Ocean Rover, designed and built by Fantasea Divers themselves. The newly-built Ocean Rover is a 30 metre x 8 metre steel-hulled motor vessel with three Hino V-10 engines. The boat sleeps up to 16 guests in 8 air-conditioned cabins. Four cabins are situated on the upper deck and four are situated on the main deck. Each cabin has a private bathroom, individually controlled air-conditioning and internet connections for laptop computers. The four upper deck and two of the main deck cabins are designed with a lower queen-sized bed and an upper single bed. They also have panoramic window views. The two forward main deck cabins have two single beds, one upper and one lower, and the cabins have porthole views. Also on the main deck is a comfortable air-conditioned salon with a dining area, entertainment centre with video facilities, a camera charging table and a library of marine life reference books. The aft part of the upper deck is partly shaded with lounge chairs and hammocks for relaxing between dives.

A mix of Thai and Western food, with the emphasis particularly on seafood, is served buffet-style in the salon. Chef Somnuck takes great pride in the selection of the foods on offer, so there will be something for every palate. Special diets do not present a problem. Many passengers on Fantasea considered the food to be amongst the best ever sampled on a liveaboard boat and Chef Somnuck will be there on Ocean Rover to make sure that his reputation lives on!

The huge 'whale deck' slopes down to the waterline making diver entry as easy as it can possibly be. This is a boat which prides itself on its facilities for the underwater photographer and the 'whale deck' offers plenty of space to park cameras right before and right after the dive. Ocean Rover has several large fresh-water rinse tanks, large camera worktables (set at two different heights to accommodate tall as well as short photographers!), E-6 slide processing, light tables, a battery charging station, camera equipment rental and photo-tuition, along with a crew dedicated to helping you get those superb images! A newly-built, dedicated camera workshop provides a safe haven for underwater photographers. A colour TV/monitor is available for those with an interest in video. Both 220 and 110 volt current is provided for recharging strobes and batteries.

Ocean Rover offers a series of 8, 10 and 11 nights cruises. All cruises visit the Similans, along with Ko Tachai and Richelieu Rock. Eight night cruises are planned to visit Burmese waters (including the Burma Banks) for three days and the 10 and 11 nights cruises are designed to spend four days there.

Cruise Itineraries

8 nights cruises depart from Ao Chalong Pier near the Fantasea Divers' office at 2000 and arrive in the Similans late the same night. After diving at the Similans followed by Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock, Ocean Rover heads for Burma's (Myanmar's) border in the afternoon on the second full day and daylight time is saved by clearing immigration at Kawthoung (Victoria Point) late that evening, when the official guide from the Burmese Tourism Ministry will join the boat. The next three days are spent cruising the Mergui Archipelago and the Burma Banks before working back to Kawthoung for a late night check-out, after which Ocean Rover heads back to Thai waters. The following morning begins with several dives at Richelieu Rock, followed by Koh Tachai and a last day with dives at the Similans. The boat returns to the mainland late in the evening of the sixth full day and passengers disembark at 0700 the following morning.

10 nights cruises depart from Ao Chalong Pier near the Fantasea Divers' office at 2000 and arrive in the Similans late the same night. After diving at the Similans, followed by Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock, Ocean Rover heads for Burma's (Myanmar's) border in the afternoon on the second full day and daylight time is saved by clearing immigration at Kawthoung (Victoria Point) late that night, when the official guide from the Burmese Tourism Ministry will join the boat. During the next four days we visit the Burma Banks and several sites in the Mergui Archipelago, including Black Rock, 3 Islets, and possibly Western Rocky island (which, at the time of publication is currently closed for diving), ending with immigration clearance late in the evening at Victoria Point. The following morning begins with several dives at Richelieu Rock, then Koh Tachai and a last day with dives at the Similans. The boat returns to the mainland late in the evening and passengers disembark at 0700 the following morning. 11 nights cruises follow the same itinerary, but with one additional day spent in Thai waters, usually around the Similan Islands.

Important: From time to time the Burmese government temporarily stops liveaboards from entering its southernmost waters. Such events cannot be predicted, and if this happens Ocean Rover will spend its entire time in Thai waters. Kindly note that bookings for Ocean Rover are only accepted on the basis that in the event of Burmese waters being closed to Ocean Rover there will be no right of cancellation or refund and participants will accept the alternative (and high quality) diving available on the Thai side of the international frontier.

WHALE SHARKS: Ocean Rover does not offer special 'Whale Shark Expeditions' or suchlike. Whale Sharks are wanderers of the oceans and the operators of the Ocean Rover consequently feel that it is simply impossible (and misleading and potentially very disappointing for potential customers) to guarantee encounters on a given day at a given dive site, but when these superb creatures are around you can be sure that there will be ample time devoted to diving with them. The best chances of seeing Whale Sharks are between February and May, although they can occur in all months.

Cruise Schedule (8 nights cruises): 3-11 January, 22-30 January, 31 January-8 February, 20-28 February, 13-21 March, 2-10 April, 11-19 April.

Cruise Schedule (10 nights cruises): 11-21 January, 9-19 February, 1-11 March, 22 March-1 April, 20-30 April, 1-11 May, 12-22 May, 23 May-2 June, 11-21 December.

Cruise Schedule (11 nights cruises): 23 December-3 January

8 nights cruise

£1451

10 nights cruise (departures from January-May)

£1866

10 nights cruise (departures in December)

£1960

11 nights cruise

£2179

Includes:

· Transfers from the airport to the Fantasea Divers office (or to a hotel if preferred) on arrival and from the Fantasea Divers office to the airport (or a hotel) following disembarkation. (Additional transfers arranged at extra charge.)

· 8, 10 or 11 nights cruise on Ocean Rover on a twin/share basis with full board (but excluding dinner on the evening of embarkation).

· 7, 9 or 10 days diving (up to 4 dives per day including night dives where the location is suitable: usually 3 nights per cruise), cylinders and weights.

Note: If you wish to stay at a hotel in Phuket before or after your cruise, or make use of a hotel day-room between arrival at the airport and embarkation on Ocean Rover, or between disembarkation and departure from the airport, we can arrange this for you. Many people simply leave their luggage at the Fantasea Divers offices before or after the cruise and have a look around beautiful Phuket Island. Embarkation is at 2000.

Please note: A port fee, payable in US $ cash only, will be collected on the day the cruise departs. The fee is currently US $150 for the all cruises. Due to the difficulty in obtaining US $ cash locally it is important to bring the correct amount from home.

Additional Cruise: A 10% discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 100% supplement applies.

Deposit: £400

FLIGHTS

The airfares shown are the least expensive fare category available at the time of going to press. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking. The usual airfare deposit is £100.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Departures from Wednesday-Saturday by Singapore Airlines at midday from London (Heathrow) bound for Singapore, arriving the following morning and connecting with a Silk Air flight arriving in Phuket later that morning. Return flights leave Phuket in the late morning from Thursday-Sunday, connecting with a Singapore Airlines late evening departure from Singapore that arrives at London (Heathrow) the next morning. (With certain cruises, one or more hotel nights will be required in Singapore or Phuket in order to fit flight schedules.)

Flights are also available from Manchester at no extra charge.

£608 for departures 1 January-21 March, 1-9 December.

£795 for departures 22-31 March, 10-31 December.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Singapore/London (Heathrow) by Singapore Airlines.

· Scheduled flights Singapore/Phuket/Singapore by Silk Air.

THAI INTERNATIONAL

Daily evening departures from London (Heathrow) bound for Phuket via Bangkok, arriving in Phuket the following morning. Return flights leaves Phuket daily in the evening via Bangkok, arriving at London (Heathrow) the following morning.

£658 for departures 1 January-31 May, 1 October-9 December.

£845 for departures 10-31 December.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Bangkok/Phuket/Bangkok/London (Heathrow) by Thai International.

SINGAPORE STOP-OVERS

Why not take the opportunity to explore Singapore as part of your holiday? Singapore Airlines fly between London and Singapore daily and stop-overs are available at no additional airfare. We can arrange your hotel accommodation: for details please see the Sipadan entry in this brochure.