Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Phuket?
Phuket has an international airport with direct flights to Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala
Lumpur and Penang, besides about 12 daily direct flights from Bangkok. Additionally, there
are now direct charter flights to many European Cities.
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Do I
need a visa for Thailand?
Visitors from most western countries, including Europe, North America, Australia and
News Zealand are granted a 30 day stay on arrival. Other nationals are required to produce
a tourist visa and should contact their local Thai consulate for more details.
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Do I need a visa for Burma?
You will need a visa to enter Burma. If you join one of our trips in Burma, we will
arrange everything for you, but you will need to give us your passport details in advance.
You will also need to bring with you four passport size photographs & your visa
fee (payable in USD).
You will get 28 days on arrival.
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Transportation from the airport?
Phuket airport is located about 45 mins. North of the major beach resorts. There is a
regular minibus service – cost around US$3 per person. A private taxi can be hired at
the airport at around US$13.
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Where can I change money?
Thailand’s currency is Thai Baht and can be exchanged on arrival at the airport.
The exchange rate is around US$1/Baht 40. Commercial banks, ATM machines and currency
exchange booths are plentiful in the Islands’ major resorts. Most hotels offer
currency exchange services, although the rate is likely to be lower. Credit cards are
widely accepted.
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Where can I stay?
There is a very wide variety of accommodation to suit all tastes, ranging from a low
priced guesthouse to the most luxurious hotels.
During the high season (November to May) you could expect to pay in the region of
US$ 30
a night for a double room in a decent guesthouse with air-conditioning and bathroom.
Hotels range from US$50 a night upward. SEAL would be more than happy to help you with
booking accommodation. The main resort areas are Patong, Karon, Kata and Kamala which are
on the west coast of the island. Phuket town has some very good hotels, which are lower in
price than the resorts.
Accommodation prices drop fairly sharply during the months of May through to October.
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What about the weather?
November through to the end of April is the dry season, being the period of the north
east monsoon, with air temperatures in the region of 30-35°C. During the month of May the
wind changes around with the southwest monsoon season setting in until October; this is
the rainy season, although the showers can be heavy, they don’t usually last for too
long and some excellent weather can be enjoyed, with slightly lower temperatures.
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What about the nightlife?
There is something for everyone in Phuket. For those who prefer to spent the evenings
quietly, stroll along the magnificent white beaches to watch the sun go down, dine at one
of the many restaurants with stunning views overlooking the sea. For those who are looking
for something more lively, they will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the bars and join
in with the amazing, crazy nightlife on the island. Plenty of disco’s and lots of
local ‘colour’! You won’t actually have to move at all if you don’t
want – just sit and watch the world go by – and it does! You’re bound to be
amused!
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What about the food?
Few places in the world can provide the quality and variety of food available here in
Phuket. You can choose between local Thai restaurants (nearly all of which have excellent
fresh seafood) and western restaurants.
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Health
You should take the normal precautions as on any other foreign holiday. Phuket has
three international hospitals and there are many localized doctors’ surgeries around,
in case you should need medical help.
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Insurance
It’s always a very good idea to have your own holiday insurance and if you are
planning to dive you should make sure that you are fully covered.
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Tipping
Tipping in Thailand is entirely a matter of choice if you have enjoyed the service you
receive. On a week long live-aboard or adventure trip, most people do want to leave a tip
for the staff and they are most appreciative! As to how much you feel you want to give,
that is your choice.
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What is the water temperature like?
The average water temperature ranges from 26-30 Celsius. This is warm. We do however
get the occasional thermo-climb. This is a cold current that flows up from the deep. This
can bring the temperature down to 21 Celsius, but normally only lasts a short time.
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Do I need a wetsuit?
We do recommend that you bring a wet suit or skin suit (lycra). Especially if you are
joining one of our liveaboard cruises. Heat loss can lead to cramps & exhaustion. Wet
suit will also protect you from brushing against coral & rocks as well as stings from
Jellyfish.
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Are jellyfish a problem?
On the whole, no! We do occasionally get some stingers in the water, but they generally
only stay around for a week or two. A wet suit is your best bet against getting stung.
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When is the best
time of year to see Whale sharks?
They tend to be more common during February, March & April. This is due to large
plankton blooms that occur during these months. This does not mean to say that they can
not be seen at other times of the year. They have been spotted all year round.
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What are my chances of
seeing a Whale Shark?
It is possible to see them on all of our trips. But their numbers are dwindling. At the
end of the day it is luck as to weather or not you will see them. They have not been
common over the last couple of years.
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Should I be
concerned about the presence of Sharks?
No! All tropical & temperate waters have sharks, but they are not as common or as
ferocious as most people imagine. We do see them on our trips, but at no time do we place
our guests at risk. We know the areas that they are most common, such as Burma Banks &
Black rock. When we dive these sites, we do so, in a controlled & safe manner. We have
never had anyone bitten or attacked in all the years that we have been operating.
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Where is the nearest
recompression chamber?
In case of a diving accident, for example recompression sickness, we will evacuate the
patient to the nearest chamber facility. This is located right next door to our Dive
center in Patong beach, Phuket. The facility is a 5-star center & is on stand by 24
hours a day. We have never had a diving related accident in more than ten years of
operation! We also have good quality Oxygen kits onboard all of our yachts.
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Should I
bring my own dive gear or rent when I get there?
We recommend you bring your own gear, if you have it. If you do want to rent, we have a
wide range of top quality equipment available. We charge US$20 per day for a full set.
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Can I do a
dive course whilst out on a liveaboard trip?
Yes, we do offer courses onboard. All of our cruises have Diving instructors, leading
the dives. They will be happy to help you combined the trip with a course. The PADI
Advanced course is a favorite to do out onboard. We offer a 20% discount on any course
that is combined with a liveaboard.
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How much should I tip the crew?
We leave this up to your discretion! Did you enjoy the trip? Did the crew work hard in
trying to give you a good time? Most people tip about a 1,000 Baht.
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Do I get a
discount if I combined two or more cruises during my holiday?
We offer a 10% discount if you do a combination of trips with us. We also offer this
discount for our repeat customers.
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How much gear should I bring
with me?
We have facilities to store any bulky luggage that you do not want to take on the trip.
We also have a safe, for valuables, which you are welcome to use.
We recommend that you travel light whilst on the trip. We have soft bags if you need to
transfer your gear from hard luggage suitcases. We recommend you bring with you the
following items.
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What medicine or
fist aid kit do I need to bring?
We have very comprehensive first aid kits on all of our trips. Just bring with you your
essentials, including any recommended medicines from your local health care provider. If
you suffer from any unusual allergies or complaints, please remember to bring treatment
medicine in case of a flair up.
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How much actual
sailing will we do on the Trip?
Our crews love to sail as much as our guests. They will try to sail at any given
opportunity as long as the wind is strong enough and in the right direction. If conditions
are right you will enjoy lots of sailing. The best time of year to find perfect sailing
conditions is November, December, January & February. During March, April & May
the wind tends to be light & fickle, whilst the seas are flat and calm.
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Do you cater for vegetarians?
Yes we do! Lots of our guests are vegetarian or
vegan. Just let us know your dietary
needs when you book your trip. We will then make sure that our cooks are informed and
prepared for your arrival. We can cater for most dietary needs. If you have allergies,
this too is not a problem as long as we are informed.
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What sort of food is served
onboard?
Our cooks Nong, Boy, Mee & Niyah have all been working for us for many years. Their
cooking is well renowned, amongst our repeat customers (take a look at our customer
comments page).
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Breakfast
Is normally a continental affair with toast, Croissants, fresh fruit, yogurt
& omelets being served.
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Lunch
Pasta, salads, seafood BBQ’s or Pat Thai (Thai seafood noodles) are
typical of lunches served on our trips.
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Dinners
Always a four or five course meal. Thai cuisine with plenty of seafood &
spicy curries. Eat till you drop!
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How much spending money
should I bring?
Once onboard there is nothing to spend money on. The places that our trips visit are
away from civilization and there are no souvenir shops. If you like a beer or two in the
evenings you will need a little spare cash to pay for your bar bill at the end of the
trip.
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Is Alcohol included
in the price of the trip?
No! Alcohol is available, we stock the leading brands of beer on board, which are
available after diving is finished. A bar tab is kept & is payable at the end of the
cruise. We also have wine on board, if you would like to request any special wine or
Champaign, for the cruise, we will do our best to get it on board. Please note that we do
not allow drinking between dives.
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What kind of SCUBA
tanks do you have onboard?
Our tanks are all Aluminum, with A clamp pillar valves. Most of them are 10 cubic
litre. We do have DIN adapters available for rent, but they must be requested in advance.
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Do you have dive computers for
rent?
Yes we do. Please book them before you arrive. We charge US$8 per day for their rental.
We recommend that all of our guests use dive computers, or at least one per buddy team.
Our computers are Aladdin Pro.
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Do you have
Under-water cameras or video for rent?
No we do not. We have had too many get flooded! We can, however arrange for you to get
hold of a rental camera from another local company. Please give us some advanced warning,
if you do wish to rent.
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Do you allow solo diving?
Generally no, we do not! But we will take requests on a case by case basis. It is up to
our Dive Instructors discretion, once out on the trip.
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Do you allow spear fishing?
No!
Can we bring up
shells or shell- fish from the seabed?
Not on our trips! Sorry.
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