Giamani now taking just 12 Divers

Giamani Liveaboard

For the 2011/12 Thailand liveaboard season Giamani is only taking 12 divers instead of 16 as before. Previously the Deluxe double cabins could be used as triples (the cabins have a double bed plus a drop down bunk). From this season these cabins will only be sold as double or twin berths (not triples). Giamani has 4 Deluxe Double/Twin cabins plus 2 Standard twin cabins for a total of 12 berths.

Personally I much prefer diving on a liveaboard with a small group of divers, rather than a factory style dive boat  that pours divers onto a reef like bycatch from a fishing trawler.

Giamani has scheduled trips to the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock as well as south Andaman trips to Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Phi Phi and Koh Haa.

Although Giamani has no trips scheduled for Burma's Mergui archipelago this season, she is still registered to dive in Myanmar waters and can be chartered by a group wanting to dive Burma.

Nai Yang Beach Phuket

I was up around Nai Yang beach yesterday so I took a few photos to show why it's one of my favourite beaches these days. As Phuket gets more developed NaiYang beach is managing to maintain a chilled out feel. There are parts of the beach where you can hire a sun lounger and umbrella but much of the beach is left empty. There are no jet ski's to disturb the peace, just long tail boats used by local fishermen. You can enjoy a beach side massage or have a snack at one of several small beach restaurants.

The southern end of the beach is the busiest with restaurants, chill out bars and a couple of kite surfing schools that operate during the north west monsoon (May to October). At the northern end the beach brushes up against Sirinath National Park and small bamboo restaurants sit under the shade of the casuarina trees.

NaiYang beach is located a few minutes south of Phuket airport on the north west coast of Phuket Island. From November to May (the Thailand dive liveaboard season) Nai Yang beach can be a good place to stay before trips to the Similan Islands or before early flight departures from Phuket. From May to October when all Phuket diving is done from Chalong Bay I would not recommend Phuket daytrip divers to stay in NaiYang because it's too far from the boat pier and most dive centres will charge extra for the transfer.

You don't have to pay a national park entrance fee to go on NaiYang beach

NaiYang beach front restaurants

Another terrible low season day in Phuket ;)

Kitesurfing is very popular at NaiYang beach

NaiYang beach main street

Walk north on NaiYang beach and you'll have the beach to yourself

North end of NaiYang beach looking south

Tasty Thai food served at these small NaiYang beach restaurants

NaiYang beachside salas

Diving with a whale shark at Phuket Shark Point

Thanks to Sophie for sending me these pics that she took from the SaiMai on 16 July. The group spent most of the dive at Shark Point with this whale shark and then snorkeled with it after the dive. One of those special diving days that you never forget.

10% off Liveaboards for Early Bookings

Over the past few days I've been in a bit of a posting frenzy, ranting on about the coming Similan diving season and the need to book your liveaboard before all the trips are booked up.

As an encouragement to do just that we are offering a 10% discount for any bookings made before 15 September.

Details off the offer are here: Early Bird Special Offer

or just email me at info@thailandliveaboards.com