Scuba Holidays |
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25th Jan - 4th Feb 2012  |
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C-Life Dive Travel invite you, to this special 10 Night Liveaboard Thailand Phuket Trip itinerary. Departing from Heathrow to Phuket. The SIMILAN Islands are 128 square kilometers in area and are located about 100km North - West of Phuket in the clear waters of the Andaman Sea. Since 1982 they have been declared a National Park and are now a top destination for divers worldwide known as one of the best diving areas in South East Asia. The nine islands run roughly North to South , with snow - white sandy beaches and tropical jungle above the water, and spectacular dive sites in often crystal clear water below. Seafaring gypsies used to live on the islands, but they are now uninhabited except for the park rangers office and the beautiful occasional residence of the Thai Royal family on island number 4. The island's environment is tropical rainforest of mainly large rubber trees, several species of palm, bamboo and vines. Extensive flora and fauna, unspoiled beaches and rocky outcrops are also to be found on land. Underwater the view is often more spectacular with giant underwater boulders up to 40 meters in depth, and a world of caves, narrow passages and valleys. The Similan islands are home to some 500 species of hard and soft corals; the same variety applies to all other marine life. There is also the chance to meet bigger fish, such as whale sharks, leopard and white tip shark, and big rays to name only a few. Number of dive spots: 15 to 25 depending on weather and current The SURIN Islands is 135 square kilometers in area and is 53 kilometers from the mainland, forming a border with Burma to the North. Of the 5 islands only Koh Nua and Koh Tai have much vegetation. They are joined by a shallow channel which can be crossed on foot at low tide and are hilly with small beaches and some very deep caves to be explored. Now that they have been declared a National Park, the 2 main islands have also become home to a few hundred fishing people. There are some interesting dive spots around the islands with good visibility of 15 to 30 meters. A particular favorite is the Richelieu Rock where close encounters with Whale Sharks, Mantas and other big fish are fairly common.
The 34 metre S/Y Oriental Siren is built from the finest Asian teak and ironwood. She is a traditional twin mast junk, rigged with traditional style sails that are both functional and beautiful. Thus she has been custom-made with all the luxury facilities for the modern diver. She was built in Thailand in 2008 and shall continue to sail the waters of the Andaman Sea. Aboard the S/Y Oriental Siren we welcome up to 14 guests aboard each trip. This ensures abundant space for all guests. However, she has the facilities and ample room to host up to 16 guests on special charters.atures othe S/Y Oriental Siren include:2 sails
An expansive leisure deck area
A spacious air-conditioned saloon with cocktail bar, 32 inch flatscreen & computer server supporting the inter-cabin network
covered outdoor dining area
7 large air-conditioned cabins each with their own personal computer, audio-visual entertainment system and ensuite bathrooms with hot water. All rooms are lavished with luxury extra’s including bathrobes, hair dryers, towels, individually controlled mood lighting and individual controls for your air-conditioning unit.
Laundry Service
Massage Service
Yacht Boutique, which will make available to customers Worldwide Dive and Sail merchandise, including poloshirts, t-shirts and caps
Enriched Air Nitrox is available free of charge for all certified Nirox divers. If you are not a certified Nitrox diver all our instructors can certainly teach you the Enriched Air Specialty
2 high-powered Zodiacs accompany the S/Y Oriental Siren
Waterskiing and Wakeboarding available at additional cost
Kayaks
Fishing Tackle Specialised features for Underwater Photographers & Videographers include:Each cabin is fitted with an individual computer and multiple power sources to facilitate the needs of digital photography. The computer features high-end specifications and 20” high-definition flatscreens, which is integrated with the yachts network server in the saloon
Workstations for the preparation and maintenance of cameras including prep and storage areas
Large rinsing tanks with fresh water changed on a regular basis Yacht Safety:Worldwide Dive and Sail considers safety the preeminent issue aboard our yachts. The S/Y Oriental Siren has been designed and constructed based upon Lloyds Standards, the leading international body of maritime safety standards. Thus aboard our yacht, our crew has been specially trained in all aspects of safety, emergency and evacuation procedures. Our yacht is also equipped with the latest safety features including Life Rafts, Life Jackets, Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Alarms, Emergency Long Distance Radios, and Satellite Phones. Aboard the S/Y Siren guests can be confident in our ability to provide care and safety of the highest standards. Whats included - Flights (Gatwick to Phuket), transfers & FB accommodation, tea, fresh coffee from espresso machine, fruit juice, soft drinks & beer, up to 32 dives including 5 night dives, FREE Nitrox, FREE use of dive equipment (Inc 3mm shorties). 10 nights, dive guide, What's not included: Dive Computer rental, underwater torch rental, dive insurance, Marine Park fees €45, large 15L tank extra per day, courses, massage, and laundry,
Itinerary: Best of Thailand-10 Nights - Phuket to Phuket Up to 32 Dives including up to 5 night dives ● Day 1-Arrive Chalong Meet members of the Worldwide Dive and Sail crew near the Pier 42 Coffee Shop, Chalong Harbour at 1pm. Board the S/Y Oriental Siren around 2pm. After boarding settle into your cabinand assembleyour equipment with help from our friendly crew. The boat briefing is followed by dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. ● Day 2-Phi Phi Islands A check dive followed by a further three dives to sites such as Koh Bida Nohk, Koh Bida Nai, Phi Phi Lay and Ao Maya. An opportunity to observe leopard (zebra) sharks, tigertail seahorses, ornate ghostpipefish, cornet fish, octopus, scorpion fish, blue fin trevally, barracudas and more. ● Day 3-Koh Ha Yai and Koh Ha Noi Enjoy a wonderful day diving these sites with likely sightings of: parrot fish, scorpion fish, trumpet fish, cuttlefish, squid, ornate ghostpipefish, moray eels, sting rays, snappers and angel fish. Spend 4 dives around these islands. ● Day 4-Hin Daeng and Hin Muang This site is known for manta rays but whether they are sighted or not the sites offer the following: Oceanic trigger fish, giant moray eels, pharaoh cuttlefish, schooling rainbow runners and snappers, pick-handle barracudas, groupers, fusiliers and blue fin trevally. Depart after the third dive to the Similan Islands ● Day 5-Similan Islands The above water scenery changes to stunningly beautiful white sandy beaches with small forested areas. Enjoy taking the kayaks out and navigate around the islands during your surface intervals. Dive some of the following sites; Boulder City, Sharkfin Reef, Anita's Reef and Honeymoon Bay. Under the surface you may see: Leopard (zebra) shark, blue spotted stingrays, clown trigger fish, rabbit fish, scorpion fish, snappers, emperor fish, giant trevally and angelfish. The coral gardens, bommies and boulder formations are wonderful to dive. ● Day 6-Similan Islands-Koh Bon, Koh Tachai –4 dives Koh Bon and Koh Tachai are also dive sites where manta rays might be seen. Also enjoy: Napoleon wrasse, sweetlips, octopus, blue fin trevally, giant moray eels, great barracudas, fire dart goby, popcorn shrimp, spiny lobster and nudibranchs of many type. The dive sites vary from wall diving to gently sloping reefs and from submerged boulders to coral gardens. Spend 4 dives around these islands before departing to our overnight spot close to Richelieu Rock. ● Day 7-Richelieu Rock–4 dives Richelieu Rock.This limestone pinnacle was named by Jacques Cousteau after the character in the Three Musketeers, Cardinal Richelieu, as it reminded him of his deep scarlet cape. There are gorgeous purple dendronepthya soft corals covering most of the pinnacle and other areas covered in magnificent sea anemones as well. Barely breaking the surface at low tide, this horseshoe-shaped outcropping, slopes steeply to a sandy bottom at 18 to 35 meters (60-120 Ft). This site offers great diversity for such a small and isolated spot. It also offers excellent multi-level diving and, because it’s a high-profile reef, there’s always sheltered areasto hide from current. The marine life is prolific and includes amongst, many other things; Pharaoh cuttlefish, large octopi, all 5 varieties of anemone fish of the Andaman Sea, variety of moray eels, ornate ghostpipefish, smashing mantis shrimps, harlequin shrimps, tiger tail sea horses, Spanish mackerel, frog fish, many schooling snapper and occasional sightings of manta rays and whale sharks. ● Day 8-Similan Islands We stop off again at Koh Tachai and Koh Bon to look for manta rays before headingto Three Trees and a suitable spot for a night dive. Three Trees has a wonderful coral garden on a gentle slope with some patchy sandy areas. With luck you might see sharks, Napoleonwrasse, porcelain crabs, smashing mantis shrimp, bluefin trevally, fusiliers and more. ● Day 9 & 10-Similan Islands Elephant Head Rock, visible from the surface,is the biggest pinnacle in the Similans and has some great swim-throughs. If lucky and in the water early you might see some white tip reef sharks. Batfish, trevally and barracuda can often be seen on the perimeter of the boulders. If you look closely in the cracks and in the rubble you might see smashing mantis shrimp, porcelain crab, moray eels and cleaner shrimp. East of Eden has an amazing pinnacle, the Ruan Gluay Mai which is covered with colourful soft corals and sea fans. A great site for macro subjects and shoals of fusiliers and trevallies dart in and out. Elephant’s Head Rock, West of Eden and East of Eden will be the last days diving sites before we depart to Chalong overnight. The number of dives you do is dependent on your onward flight arrangements. In the evening enjoy a BBQ on the boat and start planning your next adventure aboard the Siren Fleet. ● Day 11-Disembark Chalong After breakfast say your farewells and disembark the SY Oriental Siren. Depart around 10 a.m.
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£175 Holiday Deposit payable to Blue o two. Kit hire fee payable to C-Life Ltd. Confirmation of the flights etc will be forwarded. Balance required 10 weeks prior to departure. Please contact us for a booking form | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||