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.

20% Discounts on Indonesia Diving

Black Manta Liveaboard - Previously in Thailand, now in Indonesia

Black Manta was one of our favourite Phuket dive boats over the last few years but this year she has changed flags and now sails and dives in Indonesia. She is one of several liveaboards that have left Phuket this year (more on this in a future post) and we wish her well. The Komodo trips from August to October are filling up quickly. Then in October Black Manta moves round to Raja Ampat and there are discounts available on the transition trips. The trips have pretty exciting looking itineraries with the combination of world class macro diving at Alor or Ambon and diving the Banda Sea which is still a great place to see large pelagics.

The discounted trips are:
22-31 Oct 2011: Alor-Banda Sea-Ambon (27 dives) US$2,080 (reduced from US$2,600)
3-13 Nov 2011: Ambon-Banda Island-Raja Ampat (27 dives) US$2,400 (reduced from US$3,000)

More information here: Black Manta Indonesia Liveaboard

Black Manta will be replaced in the Similan Islands Thailand by a newer bigger dive boat White Manta. White Manta is already running dive liveaboard trips in Malaysia and getting good reports. As she hasn't arrived in Phuket yet I can't give a report but hope to see the boat before the season starts so I'll post a review then.

Bali Komodo Diving

May to October is the time of year when Phuket Divers like to head away on holiday to dive.

Bali Sunfish

Some dive staff head off to Koh Tao to work, some move to the red sea. Increasing numbers are taking advantage to the cheap flights between Phuket and Bali and going to dive around Bali and Komodo.

Several liveaboard boats that operate in Thailand's Similan Islands from Nov-Apr are now plying their trade in Komodo. Black Manta, Queen Scuba, Mermaid 1 and Mermaid 2 are all now sailing under an Indonesian flag.

Reports back from the Komodo diving this year have been excellent. One friend's comment was "beg, borrow or steel the money for a trip but whatever you do go, I saw everything I wanted to see."

My favourite spot has to be Horseshoe Bay in Rinca Island. It's got great divesites like Cannibal Rock and in between dives you can watch dragons on the beach or snorkel with dolphins.

July-August is also a good time to see Mola Mola around Bali. They can be seen on Bali daytrips at Nusa Penida among other places. I also love the Liberty Wreck dive at Tulamben, just metres from the beach.