Seachart 1 Wreck

This new wreck is for experienced deep and wreck divers. She is an 84 metre long cargo ship that sank in rough seas in August 2009 on her way from Myanmar to Vietnam. She sank close to Khao Lak in 40 metres of water. The Royal Thai Navy have surveyed the wreck and opened her up to divers. She settled on the sea bed on her starboard side spilling her load, 1200 tonnes of teak wood which is still on the sea floor.

Despite the short amount of time that this wreck has been in the water there is a surprising amount of sealife and coral growth on her. The real fun in diving the seachart however is in exploring her many levels. There are places that are easy and safe to enter with lots of light penetration. There are other areas that are only suitable for technical divers.

Day trip dives are available to the Sea Chart wreck every Friday from Khao Lak. You must be deep and or wreck diver certified to join these trips. 

Please ask us for details.

Special Richelieu Rock only liveaboard

There is one cabin still available on Nautica's special 4 day 4 night liveaboard to Richelieu Rock.

Nautica

Trip dates are 8-12 January 2013, start and finish is in Thap Lamu. Nautica will cruise directly to Richelieu and spend all 3 full days there doing 12 dives. On the final day there will be two wreck dives at the Premchai Wreck and the Boonsung Wreck on the way back to Khao Lak.

This is a great trip for divers who want to spend extended time on Thailand's number one dive site. These type of trips are popular with serious underwater photographers, we often get requests from documentary firm crews to dive in just one place. 

Richelieu Rock is the best place in Thailand to dive with whale sharks.

Nitrox is available so you can extend your bottom time. Want to bring your own rebreather? Nautica can accommodate that.

If you are interested please contact us.

The Junk takes a holiday

One of our favourite boats here in Thailand is going to Indonesia. During the Similan Islands close season the Junk is going to take over from the Oriental Siren which sank recently on the way to Layang Layang. The Junk will be diving around East Timor dive sites. She is currently on her way, picking up supplies in Labuan.

The Junk will be back in Phuket in time to start her first Similan Islands trip departing 17 Nov.

Patong Beach in July

I took the two photos below on Patong beach yesterday lunchtime. Just to show that Phuket low season weather isn't always wet.

Kathu Waterfall (Namtok Kathu)

Following on from Monday's post about Kathu here is a look at Kathu waterfall located right at the end of Soi Namtok Kathu. It's a small but tranquil place with where locals like to come and cool down in the water. There is a small shop at the bottom with tables and chairs next to the water where you can sit and have a drink. Or there are a couple of covered salas further up where we sometimes go with our own food for a jungle lunch. Now is a great time of year to visit the waterfall.

If you are here on holiday ask us about our customised Kathu tours. We can take you to the waterfall, the flying Hanuman jungle zip line, the cable water ski, the atv tour, the go carting track or the shooting range, all of which are close by. Or we can arrange a round of golf at Loch Palm, Red Mountain or Phuket Country Club courses. Or how about pampering yourself at Mookta spa?

Phuket Cable Ski, Kathu

We've had a rainy week here in Phuket this week. One of my favourite things to do in Phuket when it rains is wake boarding at Phuket Cable Ski in Kathu. Located half way down soi namtok it's a great facility with a nice cafe and bar. It's open every day and in the evening it's floodlit. There are some really good riders there but it's also open to beginners. You can water ski, wake board or knee board. Prices start at 500 baht. More details on their website here.

In the evening around 5-7pm the area is popular with locals who jog and walk around the lake for exercise. The loop around is 1km.

In the same area is Kathu Shooting range plus the new flying Hanuman zip line through the jungle.I haven't tried this yet but a friend of mine who has loved it. I will post more at a later date on Kathu as an adventure centre of Phuket because there are also ATV tours, two go-kart tracks, three golf courses and a driving range. Also nearby is Kathu waterfall and the Phuket Tin Mining museum.

Kathu is just 10 minutes drive from Patong beach or Phuket Town. We can arrange personalized activity tours of the area. Ask us for details.

Similan Islands National Park dates

This coming season the Similan Islands National Park will officially be open on 15 October 2012 and will officially close on 15 May 2013.

That will make it a slightly longer season than in previous years by about 4 weeks. Can't wait!