Plan Your Similan Day Trip
These are some helpful hints to plan your Similan diving adventure
To make your day trips as comfortable and efficient as they are designed to be take a look at the helpful information below!
Our quick and efficient day trips work smoothly to allow you time back in your luxury Khao Lak resort. To make the day run smoothly and to make your time with us as comfortable as possible it is a good idea to take some considerations in your planning.
The information is designed to give you every thing you need to know to make your journey with us as smooth as possible, if you have further questions please feel free to contact us directly
Diving Equipment
Essentials
- BCD
- Regulator
Please let us know if you regs are DIN and we will make sure we have a tank with the correct connection on it for you. If you haven’t used your regs in a while please get them serviced before your holiday.
- Fins
- Boots
If needed to go inside your fins, if you have open heal fins.
- Mask and snorkel
The snorkel is not 100% necessary but highly recommend as its great for beach visits or if the conditions are a little choppy at the surface.
- Wetsuit
The water temp is 28 degrees so no need for drysuits! Most people are happy in any thing from boards shorts and a rash vest to full 5mm wetsuits. You don’t need to bring gloves as the water is not cold and we believe they can encourage divers to touch things.
- Torch
If you haven’t got one you are given one for free for the night dives. Bring also spare batteries if you have rechargeable we have chargers on the boat.
- Dive Computer
PLEASE BRING THE MANUAL!! I think this is one of the most forgotten things! Each brand of computer works very differently so we unfortunately are not experts on them all.
- Signaling devices
For underwater can be a simple piece of metal to bang on you tank. For above water a Surface Marker Buoy.
- Spares
O-rings: we have a good selection on the boat but if you need anything specific it’s a good idea to bring.
- Fin straps, for open heel fins
We have spares on the boat but if you have a specific design of fins.
Optional Extras
- A pair of socks
Mostly the fins that are provided are closed heel fins and if you have delicate feet socks can save them. Even better if you can buy neoprene socks from you local dive shop. Or let us know and we can order them for you for.
- A rash guard or hood
The water around the Similan Islands is on average 28 degrees Celsius so most people find that the 3mm short wetsuit is enough. However if you are a cold blooded person you might find you start to get cold after being wet on the speedboat all day. In this case you might want an extra layer to keep you warm.
- A hair scarf or band
For those boys and girls lucky enough to be blessed with illustrious locks it’s a good idea to bring something to keep your hair controlled in the water and off your face.
- Dive Computer
This is not something we expect you to rush out and buy but we do not provide in the standard dive equipment. If you don’t have a dive computer please let us know if you would like to hire one.
Paperwork
- Certification Cards
Highest level plus nitrox if applicable. If you have lost this PLEASE email us before the trip and we will search for it online.
- Log book
Even if you have stopped logging or it is incomplete please bring your last log book with you
- Insurance documentation
Please check your insurance for what it covers. It is vital that the insurance covers recompression chamber treatment and emergency evacuation. If you don’t yet have we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance. You can get a quote via the insurance link in our contact tab.
- Medical
If you have any medical issues that you believe may effect your diving please bring a certification from your doctor that says that you are fit for diving. If in doubt please email us and we will let you know if the medical condition will be a problem at all.
Anything Else?
- A dry bag to keep dry things in!
There are not so many areas on the speed boat to keep important things dry so a dry bag is a good idea (especially if it’s going to rain- which of course it never does as Thailand is a tropical paradise!!). If you don’t have one we do sell them in the shop in Khao Lak.
- A light waterproof jacket
If there is wind or rain it can get a little bit chilly on the speedboat.
- A shirt that will cover your shoulders
There is a roof on the speedboat but the sun can sometimes still sneak in!
- Sunglasses and suncream and a hat
Not too loose as it my blow away- maybe you’ll want one with a stylish chin strap!
- Camera
If you are doing a trip to the Similan Islands you are going to want some photos of the scenery!!
- Seasickness tablets
We do have our own but you may have a special brand that you like. Or other seasickness products like the wristbands etc.
- Small micro fibre towel.
These are a good idea as they are light and don’t take up much room and dry quickly. We don’t want everyone bringing huge beach towels, as space is limited on the boat.
Diving Courses
- Dive Refresher Course
This can be done one day before or even on the day your day trip (if we are going to the Similans) We recommend that this is done one day before. We go through the diving theory with you and then take you to the swimming pool to do some basic dive skills. We can focus on any skills that are a concern for you e.g. your buoyancy or mask skills. It is nice to go through these skills in a controlled environment. Please email us for more information.
- Advanced Open Water
If you are open water level and want to take you diving to the next level then an Advanced course may be of interest. You are able to complete the course in either one or two days.
- Nitrox Course
Nitrox has many benefits including allowing you to dive more safely and conservatively. The course can be completed on land as it is a theoretical course or you can combine it with the practical of actually diving with Nitrox on the speed boat.
- Medical Considerations
Please consider any medical conditions that you have or any medications that you are on which may be affected by diving. If you are in any doubt at all please consult you doctor or contact us and we can put you in touch which a diving physician. Most medical conditions are ok with diving it is always important however that the dive crew have all information about each guest so they can care for each guest correctly.
- Seasickness
If you are one of the unlucky ones who suffers from seasickness you may want to bring your own medication. We have a supply on board but for those who have found one that works for them..please bring it! If this is something that you are concerned about please see you local pharmacist or doctor and they may be able to provide you with stronger substances. Make sure they are aware that you will be diving whilst taking it so it must not have any drowsy side effects.
- Dive Guide
You will be diving with a guide max of 4:1 with other guest of a similar level. All of our guides are hugely experienced so please think of any questions that you would like to ask them. Remember there are no stupid questions (ok we all know that’s not true but you’ll have to really try to think of an original one because I think we heard them all!) Safety is always our number one concern so any thing we can do to help we will.
General Advice
- Thailand Visas
Please check with your local Thai Embassy if you need to purchase a visa before flying to Thailand. For many passport holders the 1 month tourist Visa is awarded on arrival as long as the individual has 6 months remaining in their passports and a flight showing them exiting the country.
- Thailand Vaccinations
Please check with your local doctor for any boosters you may need, for example tetanus is always advisable to be up to date. Around the areas that we visit you don’t require anti malaria medication. Check with your doctor for any specific problems at you time of travel.
- Bargaining/ Bartering
This is an important part of buying anything in Thailand and can be lots of fun. Always have a price in your mind of how much you are willing to pay for an item. Do remember as well that spending hours of your holiday haggling over a few baht is probably not the best use of your time!
Thai Food
- Shallow Fried Pork and Basil
Pad Krapow Moo is easily one of Big Blue’s favourite dishes. Just ask Paul in our office who eats it literally every day. You can ask for it spicy or not (spicy is better). Top it off with a fried egg and some fish sauce for a perfect dish
- Noodle Soup
The Fun part of eating a noodle soup at a street restaurant is making it just how you like it. Choose your meat and type of noodle then add whatever you want. Add fresh Basil, beansprouts, chilli, sugar, fish sauce, peanuts and more to get the flavour that suits your tastes
- Chicken and Rice
Sounds simple but the flavour is in the details. The rice is cooked in the chicken stock and the thin strips of chicken are covered in a sauce of soy sauce, yellow bean sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger and chilli. Also served with a Soup made from the stock with garlic, onions and parsley