Sea Dragon Dive Center

LIVEABOARD SPECIALISTS & 5 STAR IDC CENTER IN KHAO LAK

Sea Dragon, the first dive centre to be based in Khao Lak, was established in 1993. Located only 1 hour north of Phuket Airport on the picturesque west coast of Thailand, we are easily accessible from all major towns. Our local harbour, Thap Lamu, is conveniently the closest departure point to Thailand's finest dive sites, the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea.

Our two unique boats were specifically designed to complement our various styles of liveaboard trips to the Similan & Surin Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. Additionally, we operate four different local day dive trips to our local reef, the Sea Chart wreck and our two charming tin mining wrecks. For those of you who wish to begin or advance your diving, our friendly staff can conduct the full range of PADI dive courses in many languages, from beginner through to Instructor.

Affiliation:

PADI, BSAC

Training Level:

up to Instructor

Boat Description:

The classic trip in the Andaman Sea onboard our spacious liveaboard boat, the M/V Andaman. In the newly refurbished accommodation areas, now sleeping 20 customers, you can choose from two air-conditioned standard sea view double cabins, two air-conditioned ensuite sea view double cabins or an individual private bunk (with curtain) in one of the two air-conditioned 6-berth sea view cabins. On the upper decks there is a choice of places to relax, either in our open air dining area complete with self service buffet or in a hammock or sun mattress on our large sundeck or on the stardeck.

The M/V Andaman offers 9 dives over 3 days, 13 dives over 4 days or 22 dives over 7 days including one night dive and one sunset dive, and on the final day, instead of a night dive, we invite you to join us for a relaxing evening onboard, starting with a cocktail at sunset followed by a barbecue on the sundeck.

A great favourite with all our divers, the Andaman draws our customers back again and again to dive onboard one of the most friendly and relaxing liveaboards in the Andaman Sea.

Sites Visited:

Similan Islands Marine National Park - nine uninhabited tropical islands in the Andaman Sea offer you first class diving in one of the worlds top dive areas. Located 65km off the coast of Phang Nga province, here you will find the best and most diverse diving in Thailand. Famous for their white sand beaches, fringed by extensive coral reefs in crystal clear blue water with a rich variety of fish life, the Similan Islands are covered by tropical rainforest with large granite boulders creating unusual rock formations. Underwater, the granite boulders continue, now covered with hard and soft corals, offering numerous swim-throughs, gullies and canyons.

The reefs are home to a multitude of tropical fish of all sizes, shapes and colours, with frequent sightings of turtles, rays and sharks. Visibility averages 30m and the sea temperature is 27-29C. Back onshore, take a short walk through the rainforest to visit the National Park headquarters on Koh Miang, or climb to the top of the famous rock formation at Ao Guerk for beautiful views over the bay - a perfect place to watch the amazing tropical sunsets.

To fully appreciate the beauty of these islands, both above and beneath the water, we strongly recommend you join a liveaboard trip. However, if you are very short on time, then it is also possible to take a one day/two dive day trip - just to get a taste!

From the Similan Islands head north, first stopping at Koh Bon, an unusual island for this area due to its basaltic rock composition. No beaches to be found here, but a beautiful submerged coral ridge makes this island definitely worth a visit. This near-vertical slope makes this the only true wall dive in the area, and manta rays are frequently spotted playing here. North again to Koh Tachai, an isolated island with a beautiful beach, but famous for its dive site of three underwater plateaux at varying depths, with probably the most colourful coral gardens in the area, where again there is a good chance to see larger fish life.

Finally the Surin Islands, also a Marine National Park, located on the border with Burma and home to a village of Chao Leh - the traditional sea gypsies of the Andaman Sea. The two main islands offer good jungle walks surrounded by white sand beaches. Known for its shallow water coral gardens and great snorkelling, the Surins also have a great variety of dive sites to choose from. Visibility is usually a little less than at the Similans but the greater density of fish life more than makes up for this.

Only one and a half hours from the coast and Khuraburi harbour, south-east of the Surins, Richelieu Rock is a collection of submerged pinnacles and is renowned for its visiting whale sharks from February to May. But even without the whale sharks, this is an outstanding dive site, with large schools of different fish, including barracuda, jackfish, snapper and many others.

As the only rock formation in this area, rising up from the seabed and breaking the surface at low tide, Richelieu is a natural magnet for all fish life seeking protection from their predators. This is also a good place to see seahorses - if you look closely!

Facilities:

• Scuba hire
• Own pool
• Showers
• Diving seven days

• Gear Service
• Own Boat(s)
• Own Liveaboard(s)