SOUTHERN THAILAND

Year:2003

The Andaman Sea: an underwater wonder

Andaman Sea:

Season: December-May

Visibility: 15-35 metres

Water temperature: 26-28°C

Gulf of Thailand:

Season: June-November

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.

2003 Cruise Schedule (8 nights cruises): 8-16 April.

2003 Cruise Schedule (10 nights cruises): 10-29 February, 21 February-3 March, 17-27 March, 28 March-7 April, 30 April-10 May, 12-22 May, 23 May-2 June, 1-11 December, 12-22 December.

2003 Cruise Schedule (11 nights cruises): 4-15 January, 16-27 January, 28 January-8 February, 4-15 March, 17-28 April, 23 December-3 January.

8 nights cruise

£1528

10 nights cruise (departures from January-May)

£1960

10 nights cruise (departures in December)

£1999

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 (8 nights cruise); £550 (10-11 nights cruise).

OCEAN ROVER

GULF OF THAILAND CRUISES

Ocean Rover, a boat that constantly receives high praise from our clients, relocates from its home in Phuket from June to November. Ocean Rover is offering a series of Gulf Diving cruises of 5 nights which will explore the Gulf of Thailand (east coast of Malaysia, Koh Samui and the surrounding islands). Also offered are a series of 9 nights Adventure cruises, combining some diving with other activities, when the boat will travel between Koh Samui and Singapore.

Why not make a combination of two cruises by spending 2 or 3 nights on shore in Koh Samui between trips? There will be a 10% reduction on both cruises for those taking back-to-back arrangements.

GULF DIVING CRUISES

Koh Samui is Thailand's second most important resort island, located in the Gulf of Thailand and easily accessible by air from Bangkok, Phuket and Singapore. Unlike Phuket on the Andaman Sea coast, Koh Samui and the surrounding islands and reefs are not exposed to the South-West Monsoon, which blows rainy weather to the west coast from June until October. Koh Samui, with its stunning beaches, is a superb holiday destination. This is a truly beautiful island of swaying palm trees, sparkling waterfalls and crystal clear warm water. Koh Samui has sa far escaped the ravages of being swamped by tourism. Why not visit the charming, laid-back Koh Samui and leave your footprints in the powder-soft sand whilst you stroll beneath breeze-stirred palm trees. Sun, sea, sand and great diving are waiting for you!

Koh Samui diving may not have the grandeur and scale of the Burma Banks, but there are many superb dive sites, including Sail Rock, 30 kilometres north of Koh Samui. This highly impressive wall is full of marine life, including colourful sponges clinging to the rugged wall. Enter a chimney at 18 metres and pop out into the ocean at 10 metres, where you will find gardens of anemones, littered with Pink Anemonefish, Yellow-margined Moray Eels, Cleaner and Painted Shrimps, vast clouds of fusiliers, friendly batfish and parrotfish.

Chumpon Pinnacles near the island of Koh Tao, consists of four pinnacles which tower up from 34 metres, with the tip of the highest being at around 15 metres. This is the place to spot pelagics such as schools of barracuda, jacks and tuna. Change direction and you will find a number of ledges covered with the waving tentacles of anemones and attended by a host of Pink Anemonefish.

Like many tropical destinations, the Gulf has its share of Manta Rays and Whales Sharks, but count yourself lucky if you see them: mankind is doing its best to wipe them out!

Gulf cruises depart and return to Koh Samui. Divers may arrive on the day of departure (having eaten dinner before arriving at the boat) as the boat leaves the dock at 2200 on the first day.

2003 Gulf Diving Cruise Schedule: 25-30 June, 2-7 July, 9-14 July, 7-12 August, 14-19 August, 21-26 August, 1-6 October, 8-13 October, 24-29 September.

£620

Includes:

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

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

Deposit: £200

ADVENTURE CRUISES

Cruise the deep blue waters of South East Asia while enjoying all the comforts of a first class motor yacht. Dive or snorkel on pristine coral reefs, watch gorgeous sunsets while anchored in secluded bays, relax on palm-fringed beaches, trek through tropical rainforest, kayak along the unspoilt coastline of beautiful tropical islands. Enjoy all these activities while being looked after by a professional crew dedicated to making you happy all of the time, not just some of the time!

Visit charming Pulau Aur, dramatic Pulau Tioman where movie blockbusters South Pacific and King Kong were filmed, laid-back Pulau Tenggol, the Redang mini-archipelago and the uniquely shaped Pulau Perhentian. Then there are the remote Thai islands in the Gulf: speck-in-the-ocean Ko Losin and lonely Ko Kra, an island with a tragic history of its own.

All of these islands offer two or more of the activities available on these Adventure Cruises: scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and jungle trekking. All these activities are included in the cruise price. Other favourite pastimes are swimming, beachcombing or just simply relaxing while enjoying the great food and service on board. Enjoy balmy nights on deck, gazing in awe at the luminous sea or at those billions of stars normally blocked out by the glare of civilization. Such is life at sea

2003 Adventure Cruise Schedule: 14-23 June (Singapore/Samui), 16-25 July (Samui/Singapore), 27 July-5 August (Singapore/Samui), 28 August-6 September (Samui/Singapore), 10-19 September (Singapore/Samui), 16-25 October (Samui/Singapore).

Adventure cruises depart and return from either Koh Samui or Singapore and passengers should arrive at the starting point the day before the cruise commences as the boat departs early on the first day.

£1394

Includes:

· 9 nights cruise on Ocean Rover on a twin/share basis with full board (but excluding dinner on the evening of embarkation) including scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and hiking.

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.

£635 for departures 1 January-30 June (excluding Easter), 1 September-9 December, 24-31 December.

£820 for departures at Easter, 1 July-31 August, 10-23 December.

Includes:

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

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

Koh Samui: Fares are identical. There is no reduction for those requiring only a one-way Singapore/Koh Samui or vice versa.

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.

£660 for departures 1 January-9 December.

£845 for departures 10-31 December.

Includes:

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

Koh Samui: Fares are identical. There is a £50 additional airfare for cruises beginning or ending in Singapore.

SINGAPORE STOP-OVERS

Singapore offers an almost endless variety of fabulous shopping, gastronomic delights and entertainments. A visit to Singapore, either before or after your diving holiday, can be as relaxing or as exciting as you wish to make it. Shop till you drop, down a few Singapore Slings or take 'tiffin' (high tea) at the famous Raffles. Why not take the opportunity to explore Singapore for yourself? Singapore Airlines fly between London and Singapore daily and stop-overs are available at no additional airfare.

The Golden Landmark Hotel is a straightforward, inexpensive but perfectly adequate hotel with 393 rooms, all with en suite bathroom, air-conditioning, TV with in-house films, mini bar, international direct dial telephone and hair-dryer. An outside swimming pool offers guests the chance for a refreshing dip. The Landmark Coffee Shop serves a mixture of local and continental dishes and the Lobby Lounge is a relaxing spot to enjoy a cool drink or try a cocktail. The Golden Landmark is the nearest hotel to Changi Airport (about 15 minutes away by taxi), is situated a few minutes walk from Singapore's oldest mosque and is just two minutes walk from a Metro station. All of Singapore's attractions are easily reached using the very inexpensive and easy to use Metro lines.

£23 per night for room-only on a twin/share basis.

Single Occupancy Supplement: £23 per night.

The Marina Mandarin Hotel, a luxurious, first-class hotel on Raffles Boulevard, just a few minutes walk from the famous Raffles Hotel, has 575 very pleasant and spacious air-conditioned rooms with en suite bathrooms, international direct dial telephone, mini bar and hair-dryer. All rooms are situated around an impressive internal atrium and have good views over the city or the nearby coastline. The Marina Mandarin has many additional facilities including a superb fitness centre and a splendid outdoor swimming pool with a bar and coffee shop adjacent. On many evenings a complementary Singapore cultural show can be seen here, featuring local dancing and singing. A Chinese Restaurant and an Italian Restaurant are available for those who wish to eat 'in house'. A 24-hour coffee shop provides breakfast, snacks and light meals and drinks are available in the impressive Atrium Lounge. The Marina Mandarin Hotel is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the airport.

£52 per night for room-only on a twin/share basis.

Single Occupancy Supplement: £52 per night.

Please note that airport transfers are not included. Taxis are freely available and reasonably priced.