Sunrise Divers - Dive Blog

Komodo Liveaboards Special Offers in July

2009-07-01T10:03:00.002+07:00

Let’s start with some deals coming up in the near future. The excellent Mermaid 1 and Mermaid 2 liveaboards have now been heading to Bali for several years, running trips from June to October to the amazing Komodo National Park. Trips run for 7 nights on the Mermaid 2 and 9 nights on the luxury Mermaid 1. If you are looking for a great dive experience in the next 6 weeks, look no further. Both boats have big discounts on all trips in July 2009. On Mermaid 1 you can save up to 460 Euro (640 US$) per person! For boat details, trip dates and discounted prices, check the links below. Happy Diving!

• Mermaid 1 Liveaboard – Full Information
• Mermaid 1 Liveaboard – Komodo Schedule 2009
• Mermaid 2 Liveaboard – Full Information
• Mermaid 2 Liveaboard – Komodo Schedule 2009

There are also last minute savings on trips with the Moana – a traditional Indonesian sailing boat offering 5 and 6 night dive cruises around Komodo. Trips are discounted 10% during July, making a very affordable short dive trip with prices from just 765 Euro per person.

• Moana Liveaboard – Full Information
• Moana Liveaboard – Schedule 2009

So if you are stuck for something to do in July - contact Sunrise Divers!

Sunrise Divers - 5 Star PADI Dive Resort

2009-06-12T12:13:00.003+07:00

Sunrise Divers are moving on up. We are happy to announce that as from today we are a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort. The 5 Star rating is something we have wanted to achieve for some time and our commitment to quality PADI Diver training has been rewarded. Our dive center has everything you need for a professional and fun dive course - airconditioned classroom, specially designed training pool just a few minutes from our door, experienced instructors.. we have what you need! There is a huge range of accommodation within 5 minutes walk of our shop, everything from backpackers dorms up to 5 star resorts such as the Hilton.

We offer PADI courses year round - click the links below for details :

• Open Water Diver
• Advanced Open Water
• Rescue Diver
• Enriched Air Nitrox

We welcome beginners with open arms. Diving is fun! You may not think it's for you, but come on, try! We offer day trips every day for a Discover diving experience. Jump in with an instructor in shallow water and we think you'll love it!

• Discover Scuba Diving

We hope to see you very soon in Phuket. If you want to take a dive course, just drop us an email, call us, or come to our shop! There are many ways to contact us:

• Sunrise Divers - Contact us!

Summer Season Diving in Phuket

2009-05-04T12:05:00.002+07:00

As the "high" season is just about over now in early May, and our most popular dive sites - the Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock, Burma - are either closed or too far for long boat rides in changeable weather, we look forward to a 5 month summer season from May - October. Contrary to what some may think, we do not close our shop - Sunrise Divers will be open just about every day during the summer.

What diving options do I have in the summer in Phuket?

Plenty! We offer day trips to dive sites such as Racha Yai island, Shark Point, the King Cruiser Wreck, Phi Phi Islands, Racha Noi Island, Anemone Reef... There are day trips every day and we can make up packages for you for 2 - 5 days diving with lots of variety. Diving the local sites in the summer is sometimes better than high season! Why? Well, for one - less divers in the water. Also, the prevailing west winds mean we can always dive the nicer east coast of Racha Yai which is not always possible in the high season.

Day Trip Information:

• Day Trip Packages
• Day Trip Dive Sites

We also offer the twice weekly Phi Phi Island Overnight trip - probably the best summer option - 7 dives and a night in a hotel in Phi Phi, all for just 9900 Baht!

• Phi Phi Overnight Dive Tour

Got a group of divers, or want some privacy? We offer speedboat charters to all local sites, and also for snorkeling and sightseeing tours. The Offspray is a custom speedboat for up to 10 divers, while the new Sky Water is a top class powerboat for small groups of 2 - 4 people offering private tours of the amazing scenery of Phang Nga Bay to the east of Phuket.

• Offspray Speedboat Dive Charters
• Sky Water Private Sightseeing Tours

Enough diving to keep you busy? We think so!

The weather in Phuket during the summer is of course a worry for some people. We cannot promise 24 hour sunshine, but over the years we have collected weather reports and have tried to show what the weather is really like here in the summer. Some rainy days, some grey days and LOTS of sunny days! You can find some reports from 2004 - 2007 on our website here, and from 2006 up to now on Jamies Phuket Weather Blog.

The summer season in Phuket is a great time to come - sure, if you want a liveaboard to the Similan Islands you will have to wait until at least mid October, but we are here and ready to dive year round.

One more bonus... hotel prices are really low in the summer. Take Advantage! Check the Phuket Hotels on Agoda.com for online bookings.

See you in Phuket soon!

Komodo Special - Mermaid Liveaboards

2009-03-31T14:33:00.002+07:00

This is one of those BOOK NOW! moments... From now until April 10th we can offer a special 10% discount on trips with the Mermaid 1 and Mermaid 2 liveaboards in Indonesia this summer. Trips run from June to October starting and ending in Bali. A 10% discount can make quite a saving - up to 459 Euro for a couple on Mermaid 1. We hate to rush, but this is a time limited offer to coincide with the Indonesia Dive Show. Bookings must be confirmed by April 10th.

For full boat information and schedules, check our website:

• Mermaid 1 - Diving in Komodo
• Mermaid 2 - Diving in Komodo

For reservations or questions, send us an email: info@sunrise-divers.com

Mermaid 2 Liveaboard - Early Booking Offer

2009-02-20T16:06:00.002+07:00

Mermaid 2 is one of the largest and most comfortable liveaboards operating in Thailand - not a luxury boat, but a high standard and very good value for money. Mermaid 2 has been running trips in Thailand and Indonesia since 2001 and offers a mix of 2,4 and 6 day trips to all the best dive sites in the Andaman Sea from Hin Daeng to the Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock to Elephant Rock.

Schedules for nest season starting November 2009 are now online, and if you book before July 31st, there's a 10% discount for you on Mermaid 2!

• Mermaid 2 - Full Liveaboard Information
• Mermaid 2 - Photo Gallery
• Mermaid 2 - Schedule

Booking and Reservations

You can email to info@sunrise-divers.com or call Sunrise Divers Hotline 08 4626 4646.

Sunrise DASH Divers

2009-02-09T14:52:00.003+07:00

Sunrise Divers has been in Phuket for just about 10 years now, and one of the biggest changes over the years has been on the internet. Physically we have moved only one time, from a small office in Karon Beach to a larger one where we are now with a spacious equipment room, main office, back office and airconditioned classroom.

• Map of our shop location

But on the web, changes have been huge. Our first websites in 2000 - 2002 were, to put it mildly.. poorly designed.. but on the other hand most dive centers were similarly bad! We realised in 2002 that the internet was changing and over the years have continually tried to improve our website, adding more information, easy browsing, trying to make it easier for people to find exactly what they need. We hope that our current design is good for you! Always happy to hear if anyone has any suggestions.

• Check old Sunrise Divers webdesign at Archive.org

Now back then we were not so web savvy, and so we chose the web address www.sunrise-divers.com.. with a dash, minus, hyphen, whatever you wish to call it. There was no thought to domain name protection or the chance that someone might copy our name. A few years later we thought it might be wise to also own the domain name without the dash, minus, hyphen, thing. BUT some clever nerd somewhere had bought it, was not using it, just holding it. We asked to buy the domain and were given a crazy price. A few years later the price had come down a notch, but was still way too much.

Last week we finally obtained the web address www.sunrisedivers.com. Seems whoever owned it had finally given up on us parting with huge sums of money. So finally we can be Sunrise DASH Divers and also just plain Sunrise Divers with no dash, minus, hyphen. I am so glad we don't have to have to say "dash, minus, hyphen" again! If you click on www.sunrisedivers.com it will automatically take you to www.sunrise-divers.com. See you there!

Mermaid 1 Liveaboard - 2 For 1 Last Minute Offer

2008-12-09T15:16:00.003+07:00

Christmas has come early at Sunrise Divers! Last Minute offers don't get much better than this! The Mermaid 1 departs on the 14th December for a 9 day/9 night cruise in Thailand and Burma - there are a couple of cabins remaining, and you can join this trip at an incredible discount with a 2 for 1 offer - if you are 2 divers, you pay for only 1! The ultimate pre Christmas sale!

We can also accept single bookings at 20% discount on the regular price but would prefer to get bookings to fill the cabins.

Normal price is 1990 Euro per person (deluxe cabin) or 1700 Euro per person (budget cabin) - so you have the chance of a 9 day trip for as little as 850 Euro!

Burma dive fee (US$ 230) and Similan park fees (1800 Baht) not included.

• Mermaid 1 - Full Liveaboard Information
• Mermaid 1 - Photo Gallery

Booking and Reservations

You can email to info@sunrise-divers.com or call Sunrise Divers Hotline 08 4626 4646, or our office 076 398 040.

Burma Liveaboard - Extra Special Offer

2008-12-07T13:12:00.002+07:00

The MV Jazz has a great offer for a Burma dive trip from 18th - 23rd December - thats a 5 night trip with 4 days diving and 14 dives in Burma. The Jazz cruises around the Mergui Archipelago and among the 14 dives the cruise directors always try to fit in an exploration dive on a new site or new stretch of reef. The diving in Burma is still new and exciting with very few dive boats making trips - you may not see another liveaboard during your trip.

• Read more about Diving in Burma

Special Offer on this trip.

Normal price US$ 1,190 per person

Special Offer US$ 952 per person

Burma dive fee and transfers not included.

• MV Jazz - Full Liveaboard Information
• MV Jazz - Photo Gallery

Booking and Reservations

You can email to info@sunrise-divers.com or call Sunrise Divers Hotline 08 4626 4646.

Last Minute Liveaboards for the Similan Islands

2008-11-20T10:29:00.002+07:00

The high season is up and running, all boats have now started operating on a wide variety of itineraries from 2 - 9 days, heading for the Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock, Burma, Hin Daeng, Phi Phi and more.

There are a lot of boats out there, and finding just the right one for you can be hard work... we can help. Sunrise Divers is Thailand's leading independent liveaboard specialist. Every year we match hundreds of divers with the right trip to suit their needs based on budget, comfort and travel dates. We offer everything from low budget "backpacker" boats up to luxury liveaboards. We listen to what YOU want, we don't try to sell you something expensive just to make money. Your needs come first.

Looking for a liveaboard in Thailand? Start here:

• Thailand Liveaboards - Overview

We receommend advance booking to ensure you get the boat you want and the dates you want, but if your plans are not fixed, or you suddenly get a last minute chance to dive, there are often last minute prices to be found. As soon as we hear of a special offer, you can find it on our website. The following link is well worth bookmarking!

• Last Minute Liveaboards - Similan Islands

At peak season (end of December/early January) you'll be lucky to find space in the pool, let alone on a lievaboard, but now at the start of the season there are quite a lot of special offers available.

For last minute deals, contact us!

Mobile Hotline : 08 4626 4646
Email : info@sunrise-divers.com
Skype : sunrisedivers

Or come to our dive center in Karon Beach, Phuket:

• Sunrise Divers Location Map

Hope to see you soon!

Liveaboard High Season is HERE!

2008-10-16T15:48:00.002+07:00

Yes, despite doomsayers predictions that no boats would be allowed into the Similan Islands national park, liveaboards have started for the season. The rules do seem to be rather flexible in Thailand, and while some boat operators have decided they can't run trips, others are out there right now! Sunrise Divers first liveaboard guests for this high season left 2 days ago on the Queen Scuba liveaboard for 4 days and 4 nights. Weather is perfect, seas are calm and we can't wait to hear how their trip was! Queen Scuba has a few more trips in October too. If you want to dive, ask us!

• Thailand Liveaboards - Full Overview of Boats

The low budget South Siam 3 left from Thap Lamu port to the Similans yesterday and we have some customers booked for this week already... this boat is ideal for short trips of 2 or 3 days, not a luxury boat, but large and comfortable and early season it won't be fully booked either so you'll have lots of space...

• South Siam 3 - Start any day!

Another low budget liveaboard, the Dolphin Queen, has her first trip starting tomorrow and is fully booked! You see, we do recommend advance booking for any trip, as if you just turn up, you can't predict what will be available. Dolphin Queen is a popular boat - the best of the "Khao Lak Cheapies" - well run, and with owners who have been diving here for years and years - cheap but professional. We always get good comments about this boat...

• Dolphin Queen - Backpackers Bargain!

If you're looking for a liveaboard - please do contact us by email, phone, Skype, or come to see us in Karon beach (Phuket).

• Thailand Diving - Sunrise Divers - Contact Information

Happy Diving!

MV Jazz - Dive Burma - 10% Discount!

2008-09-23T10:46:00.002+07:00

The MV Jazz has a great offer for Burma trips during the 2008 - 2009 season. Burma is still the "last frontier" of diving in this area. Compared to the Similan Islands, very few boats head into the Mergui Archipelago, and the Jazz still does exploration dives on almost all trips, sometimes discovering great new dive sites. The Burma trips have that adventure feel to them. Many times you won't see another dive boat for days. If you like to explore - Burma is for you!

• Read more about Diving in Burma

As a special Burma promotion, we are offering a special on the MV Jazz liveaboard - if you book any Burma trip this season and pay in full before December 31st, there's a 10% discount for you.

• MV Jazz - Full Liveaboard Information
• MV Jazz - Photo Gallery
• MV Jazz - Schedule

Booking and Reservations

You can email to info@sunrise-divers.com or call Sunrise Divers Hotline 08 4626 4646.

MV Nautica - Special Offer - 10% Discount

2008-09-15T16:55:00.003+07:00

The MV Nautica is one of the very few liveaboards that offer a small group experience. The tendency now is to have boats taking 16,18,20 or more divers on large boats. Nautica is not a small boat, there is loads of space to relax, cabins are very comfortable, service is top quality and the boat takes only 12 customers if fully booked. Sure this means the price is a little higher, but many people are looking for that little extra service and privacy which is what Nautica offers.

As a special kick off to the liveaboard season, you can receive a 10% discount on any trip on MV Nautica if booked and paid in full before October 15th. We hope to hear from you soon!

• Nautica - Full Liveaboard Information
• Nautica - Photo Gallery
• Nautica - Schedule

Booking and Reservations

You can email to info@sunrise-divers.com, call Sunrise Divers Hotline 08 4626 4646 or contact us through the website.

Phuket Airport is Open. See you soon!

2008-09-01T09:06:00.002+07:00

We are sure you must have noticed the news over the weekend... On Friday, a large group of protesters took over Phuket Airport as part of a wider protest against the government. We will not comment on the politics, but the occupation of the airport here in Phuket took many by surprise. Politics normally stays in Bangkok and has no effect on tourism. The airports at Krabi and Hat Yai were also occupied, effectively crippling any flights into southern Thailand.

On Friday when Jamie got home, there was all kinds of news flying around. The Bangkok protests, complete with pop singers and tear gas, were live on TV. People said the occupation of Phuket Airport would only last an afternoon and flights would start on Saturday. Jamie blogged "live" updates over the weekend:

• Phuket Airport Occupation on Jamie's Phuket blog

The Phuket Wan website did a very good job at keeping the situation updated. At all times the protest was peaceful. Police did not try to clear the airport of protesters... We think Thailand is very wary of past events where police were heavy handed. So now things are handled with velvet gloves... A coup in 1996 where soldiers were given flowers by Bangkok locals, a now week long protest in Bangkok, where aside from some tear gas being fired on Friday night as people tried to take over the police HQ, there has been extreme tolerence.

Finally, after Saturday passed with no flights in or out of Phuket, news arrived around midday on Sunday that flights would resume. First flight in arrived 3:30pm, firt one out left at 4:20pm.

We know of several of our customers who have been affected by this protest, either unable to leave or unable to get here. The "backlog" should be cleared today. It seems the airport authorities are working very hard.

But we are concerned about Phuket's image. Even the PAD - the protest group who has been organising these demonstrations, even they have been split over the Phuket airport occupation. Tourists do not play politics. You should not play politics with tourists. Phuket now relies heavily on tourism. Sunrise Divers relies 100% on tourism! If you have any questions about the events of the last week, please do email us. We hope to see you soon!

Dive Komodo with Stephen Wong and Takako Uno!

2008-08-25T10:53:00.003+07:00

Great news for October. The Mermaid II liveaboard has added one special trip to the schedule, a 6 day/7 night cruise from Bali - Komodo and back from October 18th - 25th. And this trip has something extra - world famous underwater photographers Stephen Wong and Takako Uno will be joining the trip. Want to improve your photo skills? This is the trip for you!

Mermaid II, 18th - 25th October

1,200 Euro per person (deluxe cabin); 1,080 Euro per person (budget cabin)

• Mermaid 2 Boat Details
• Mermaid 2 Komodo Schedule 2008 - 2009
• Website Enquiry, Mermaid 2 18 - 25 October 2008

Bookings or more Information, contact Sunrise Divers. Email info@sunrise-divers.com or make an enquiry from the website about this trip (see link above).

Photographers Websites

• Stephen Wong
• Takako Uno

MV Jazz Liveaboard - Book Now for 10% Discount!

2008-08-12T15:18:00.002+07:00

The MV Jazz is well established as one of the best mid price liveaboards for diving in Thailand and Burma and was one of our best sellers last season. Through the season from October 2008 to May 2009, the Jazz has a mix of Thailand and Burma safaris and if you book before August 31st, there's a 10% discount for you.

• MV Jazz - Full Liveaboard Information
• MV Jazz - Photo Gallery
• MV Jazz - Schedule

Booking and Reservations

You can email to info@sunrise-divers.com or call Sunrise Divers Hotline 08 4626 4646.

Whaleshark at Phi Phi

2008-07-11T13:04:00.002+07:00

Normally the whaleshark season is about February - April, though whalesharks are rare and nobody should go diving in Thailand and expect to see one. The best dive sites are Richelieu Rock or Hin Daeng, both open water rocky pinnacles out in the ocean and both great dive sites!

But sometimes you get lucky... A customer was diving at Phi Phi just a couple of weeks ago on a rather wet day, diving was OK, better than a day at the office, and then...

Oh yes, MUCH better than a day at the office!

• More about Whalesharks
• Richelieu Rock
• Hin Daeng and Hin Muang
• Phi Phi Dive Sites

Dolphins Rescued in Phuket

2008-07-08T10:01:00.002+07:00

Three rough-toothed dolphins were rescued after they were found stranded on mud flats created by the receding tide at Ao Makham (Cape Panwa) on Saturday.

The rescue comes one week after the carcass of a female striped dolphin was discovered washed ashore at Baan Dan in Thalang and nine days after a pod of false killer whales beached at Koh Racha.

The dolphins, two females and one male, were found by fishermen who, together with local villagers, helped keep the dolphins’ heads and skin wet.

They also informed the nearby Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC), whose marine biologists came to give basic treatment to the dolphins before taking them by boat back to the sea.

According to PMBC experts who rushed to the scene, the dolphins were more than 20 years old, weighed more than 100 kilograms and were more than two meters in length.

However, they were puzzled as to why the dolphins were found in the mangrove as they were in good health and this species of dolphin is rare in Phuket waters.

One theory put forward was that they were fleeing a disturbance, possibly something man-made.

Story from the Phuket Gazette

False Killer Whales Beach at Racha Yai Island

2008-07-01T14:48:00.002+07:00

KOH RACHA YAI: Researchers at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) are today examining the remains of a False Killer Whale that was one of some 20 that beached on Koh Racha Yai, some 25 kilometers south of Phuket, late yesterday afternoon.

Local hotel staff and tourists rescued another 10 beached animals that could not make their way back to deeper water on their own.

False Killer Whales are large “open-ocean dolphins” known to attack and kill other cetaceans with their distinctive array of 44 teeth.

PMBC biologist Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong told the Gazette that about 40 dolphins were spotted about 5 pm in the shallow waters off Ao Paktok, where 11 of them later beached.

“Almost all the whales that came ashore were three to four meters long. The longest was 4.2m,” K. Kongkiat said.

As most of the whales appeared healthy, it was very unlikely that the mass beaching was the result of illness, he added.

“They are social animals that live in large groups and all members obediently follow their leader, so if the leader beaches the others follow,” he said.

The animal that died was a 2.8m female, probably about 10 years old, he added.

“The animal went into shock and we couldn’t save her. There were no visible signs of illness. We will do an autopsy this afternoon,” he said earlier today.

K. Kongkiat said the leader may have become confused trying to negotiate a narrow channel and found itself unable to return to deeper water due to big waves and strong onshore currents.

The 10 stranded dolphins were taken by truck to the relatively calm waters of Ao Teua on the other side of the island, where they were given injections to prevent infection and released around midnight.

“After their release they seemed to gain strength. That was the last time we saw them, though we continued to patrol the shoreline by boat,” K. Kongkiat said.

Original Story : Phuket Gazette

New Artificial Reef for Phuket

2008-04-24T12:12:00.002+07:00

Looks like we'll have something new to offer for next season.... If dive trips start to these sunken aircraft, the news will be right here!

Amidst great fanfare, a convoy of 15 flatbed trucks loaded with the remains of 10 decommissioned military aircraft arrived at the Tah Chat Chai checkpoint at 2 pm on Sunday after a three-day overland journey that began in Lopburi.

The convoy departed from Koke Krathiem Air Force Base in Lopburi with the partly disassembled aircraft on Friday.

The arrival of the four Douglas C-47 Dakota Skytrain military transport aircraft and six Sikorsky S-58T helicopters marks the penultimate leg of their final journey before they are sunk in the waters off Bang Tao.

On May 5, the aircraft skeletons are to be dropped into the sea about a kilometer off Bang Tao Beach to create an artificial reef in the hope that it will attract marine life and become a popular new dive site.

The aging aircraft, which have been dubbed the “Coral Reef Squadron”, are US-built and served in the Vietnam and Korean Wars, during which Thailand was used as a strategic base for operations during its Cold War fight against communism.

There to meet the convoy Tah Chat Chai checkpoint were Phuket Vice-Governor Worapoj Ratthasima, Tourism Authority of Thailand South Region 4 Office Director Suwalai Pinpradub, and representatives of the various groups and agencies that are working together on the project: The Royal Thai Air Force, the Phuket provincial government, the Thalang District Office, the For Sea Foundation, the Thai Dive Association (TDA), the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, and the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization, which provided 4 million baht for the project.

Once safely past the checkpoint, the convoy continued on to the Phuket Deep Sea Port at Ao Makham, where the aircraft will be cleaned, reassembled and otherwise prepared for their new role, which has been described as providing “apartments for fish”.

At a depth of about 15 to 20 meters, the aircraft will be arranged in a concentric pattern with two helicopters in the middle. These will be surrounded by an alternating circle of airplane and helicopter fuselages.

The wings of the aircraft were clipped at about mid-length and the rotors removed from the helicopters. All dangerous and/or toxic components of the mostly-aluminum remains were removed at the air base before being transported.

The entire arrangement, to cover about 2,500 square meters, will sit near an abandoned offshore tin-mining sledge.

TDA member Jens Hofacker told the Gazette that the sinking operation will be conducted with the help of both the Royal Thai Navy and National Parks Department.

The plan is to fix the aircraft to the seabed using huge concrete blocks. Upon completion, the entire site will be surrounded with a circular barrier of concrete blocks to prevent any migration of the structures across the sea floor, he said.

The TAT says that upon completion the project it is expected to attract about 200 divers daily and generate 140 million baht in income per year.

Source : Phuket Gazette

Sailing and Diving from Phuket to Koh Tao

2008-04-07T17:37:00.005+07:00

It's here. The dive trip of a lifetime aboard the SY Sampai Jumpa, leaving Phuket on May 15 arriving in Koh Tao on June 5. On this trip we take in the West coast of Thailand including Hin Daeng, Hin Muang and Koh Lipe. We then proceed to Langkawi for some shopping, Penang for the nightlife and the Raffles marina in Singapore.

We hit the town in Singapore, starting at the Raffles hotel for a Singapore sling. After this, we dive the whole east coast of Malaysia including Palau Aur, Redang, Tioman, Tengol and the Perentian islands before heading back into Thailand.

Back in Thailand, we dive such spots as Koh Losin, Sail Rock, South West Pinnacle and finish with sunrise diving with the Reef sharks and the chance of a Whale Shark on Chumphon Pinnacle.

• View Map in Pop Up Window

In total, up to 45 dives in 3 weeks of sailing, relaxing, partying and shopping.

Now that we have your attention:

The asking price for this dive adventure of a lifetime is just 1900 Euro.

Looking for something special? Something you'll always remember? This is it.

Booking Information

For more trip information or to book this incredible 3 week cruise, you can email to info@sunrise-divers.com or call Sunrise Divers Hotline 08 4626 4646. If you are already in Phuket, come and see us at our dive center in Karon Beach.

A trip to Thap Lamu and Khao Lak

2007-12-11T16:50:00.000+07:00

We like to adopt a hands on approach to liveaboards - we make sure that we inspect every boat that we offer to our customers, plus we rely on customer feedback to ensure that boats are running well throughout the season. There are a lot of liveaboards running trips to the Similan Islands; we take a look at our selection every year and make changes - some boats we decide not to offer any more, while often there are newer boats being launched. We check the boats and the prices and decide which offer the best value for money in every price range from backpacker to luxury.

A couple of weeks ago we took a trip to Khao Lak and the nearby port of Thap Lamu. We wanted to meet a few people, since some boats have their operations offices in Khao Lak, and we wanted to check a few boats.

In particular, we had to see Le Mahe which has been a top seller over the last few years, but during the summer had been in the shipyard undergoing a major refit. Many people has asked about booking Le Mahe, but we preferred not to book any customers until we had inspected the "new" Le Mahe! More about this boat later...

Thap Lamu is a large port where many Similan Islands liveaboards depart from, as well as being a fishing port and a naval base. There's not a big town here, but the port is busy. We found the Dolphin Queen liveaboard getting ready to depart, and some of the speedboats that run day trips to the Similans were sitting in the port too...

Le Mahe was parked behind the fishing boats with a small army of workers finishing the boat.. she is now (mid December) running as scheduled. We had to walk the plank to reach the boat... You won't have to do this if you take a trip on Le Mahe!

Le Mahe now looks very different to before. She was 20m long, now 26m. Inside, the downstairs twin cabins are gone, and all cabins now have large windows, TV, DVD, minibar.. sounds almost luxury - we should point out that its still a "mid price" boat, nothing too fancy but with several nice touches.

Inspection visits like this are important to us. Seeing the boat is the only way to be sure that what we are offering our customers is good quality and good value for money. Now Le Mahe is open for bookings again.

• Le Mahe - Full Boat Information

We finished the trip with a drive round Khao Lak.. not too much to see there, really. There are many nice hotels on the beach, it's very quiet, we promise no loud bars or Mc Donalds! We visited the offices for the MV Jazz and Dolphin Queen liveaboards and ate a late lunch at the "Happy Lagoon" restaurant before heading back to Phuket.

Christmas in Komodo with Moana - Special Offer

2007-11-29T10:51:00.002+07:00

Moana is a classic 24m Indonesian Phinisi Schooner, able to take up to 14 passengers for diving or cruising in Bali and Komodo. All cabins have airconditioning and en suite bathrooms. Although built in a traditional style, Moana is a modern vessel, launched in 2004 with all the comforts of a new boat.

We have a special on a 9 day cruise at Christmas time departing from Bali and ending in Komodo. Moana also makes regular 4 night trips around the Komodo National Park departing from Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. All you have to do is get to Bali and we'll arrange the internal flights to Flores, making a 5 day package of diving, cruising and a land excursion to see the Komodo Dragons.

Special US$ 285 discount for Christmas trip from 18 - 27 December:

Trip Price - US$ 2280 - Now only US$ 1995 per person plus park fees and flight Labuan Bajo - Bali.

OR

Special US$ 100 discount for Christmas trip from 23 - 27 December:

Trip Price - US$ 998 - Now only US$ 898 per person plus park fees and return flight Bali - Labuan Bajo - Bali.

• Moana - Full Liveaboard Information

Booking Information

You can email to info@sunrise-divers.com or call Sunrise Divers Hotline 08 4626 4646.

Last Minute Liveaboard Offers

2007-11-29T10:15:00.000+07:00

During the high season for liveaboards here in Thailand (November - May) there are often last minute places available on some boats. We certainly receommend advance booking if your schedule is tight or you have your heart sent on a particular boat, but if you are flexible and just looking for a "good deal", some last minute offers can be very sweet.

We were trying to update last minute offers on our website and this blog, but now we are into high season and things are busy around here, so all last minute offers will be on this page on our website... bookmark it!

• Last Minute Liveaboards - Special Offers

Or you can Contact Us to see what's coming up. Most last minute prices are only given a few days before departure, so if you are in the area, please do call us!

Giamani Liveaboard - Last Minute 30 November - 4 December

2007-11-08T16:25:00.001+07:00

Giamani is starting her first season in Thailand. Some trips are already fully booked, but there are places available on the next trip leaving soon!

Special 20% discount for 30 November - 4 December:

Deluxe Twin Cabins - US$ 872 - Now only US$ 698 per person
Deluxe Triple Cabins - US$ 768 - Now only US$ 614 per person
Deluxe Twin Cabins - US$ 728 - Now only US$ 582 per person

• Giamani - Full Liveaboard Information

Booking Information:

You can email to info@sunrise-divers.com or call Sunrise Divers Hotline 08 4626 4646. If you are already in Phuket, come and see us at our dive center in Karon:

• Sunrise Divers - Location Map

• Click Here for More Last Minute Offers

Colona 6 - Last Minute 9 - 15 November

2007-11-08T15:26:00.001+07:00

High season is underway, slowly... Some spaces available... The Colona 6 liveaboard has a 6 day/6 night trip from 9 - 15 November covering the Similan islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and the Surin Islands - Hope to see you here very soon!

Special 20% discount for 9 - 15 November:

Twin En Suite Cabins - US$ 1188 - Now only US$ 950 per person

• Colona VI - Full Liveaboard Information

Booking Information

You can email to info@sunrise-divers.com or call Sunrise Divers Hotline 08 4626 4646. If you are already in Phuket, come and see us at our dive center in Karon:

• Sunrise Divers - Location Map
• Sunrise Divers on Google Earth