Similan Explorer review

I've just got some detailed and constructive feedback from a diver who went on Similan Explorer in late April. There are positives and negatives but overall it's positive. I thought I'd copy the full unedited review here.

Hey Paul,

It was really good! I had a very good time with some excellent diving. Even seen a couple of Manta's!

Feedback

Boat.

The boat was really good, looked clean and spacious. We where only with 6 divers though, I think if there where 20 divers on board it would be a lot less comfortable.

Crew

John and Lisa where great, professional and fun! The only comment I gave them is that they could share there knowledge more. They didn't always seem to realize that what they see every day is new to most other divers. Like drift diving for example, they could have made this into a interesting subject to have a bigger briefing about. Now they just named it. I think if they would have taken a little more time to teach in stead of just guide it would have been even better.

The Thai crew was super fun and friendly, the only comment I would have there is that they start yelling (in a friendly way, but still) GO! GO! GO! when people where entering the water. For non divers this might seem like normal, but as a diver I think entering the water is something that should happen slowly en safely. 

Food

Good and tasty food (considering it was made in a small kitchen on a boat) that was made with heaps of love and care by the Thai lady's.

I did get a fish bone stuck in my throat for about two days, but that can happen anywhere. What wasn't so nice though was the diarrhea I had for a couple of days afterwards.

Equipment

I used my own equipment, but for what I have seen it looked good.

Over all the trip was a 100% success! And the things that could be better don't way up to the rest that was amazing.

I hope this will help you.

Asia Liveaboards

If you are looking for a Thailand liveaboard now you are a little late, the Andaman sea season is all but over.

So what are your alternatives? There are plenty within Asia.

White Manta still has a few spaces left to Layang Layang in May. They saw Hammerheads on every trip last year.

White Manta also has one very rare liveaboard trip to Sipadan and Lankayan. There are still a few spaces for 1-8 June.

White Manta also has trips in Indonesia at the amazing Sangalaki/Derawan. Spaces available from 12 June.

Also in Indonesia, everyone is raving about Komodo these days. Mermaid II has 8 day trips availability June-October.

Departing from Singapore Dive Race has weekend trips in May and June to Tioman, Palau Aur, 7 seas wreck.

Still in Thailand but over in the gulf, Giamani has a few liveaboard trips available around Samui & Koh Tao

White Manta Liveaboard Review

White Manta has just finished it's second season in Thailand and is now on it's way round to Layang Layang. The feedback from White Manta guests is always excellent and it will be one of our top recommendations for next season. But book early because most trips were full months in advance this season. 

This feedback from Linda who was on the boat in February is typical:

Hello Paul!

The trip was AWESOME!!!!  The White Manta was beautiful, the staff wonderful, the food amazing!!! Oliver Fitch was our dive master and he was a delight.  Our room was roomy and very comfortable.  The diving was memorable.

I would highly recommend the White Manta!!

South Siam III Feedback

Another happy customer back from the Similan Islands and Koh Bon last week :)

Dear Paul,

 

I just saw your mail.

 

First of all, i would like to thank you for recommending South Siam 3.

 

I had a fantastic experience on the boat, the crew was fantastic, excellent food and very clean environs on board. I had not really expected the liveaboard experience to be so nice.

 

I would especially like to mention my experience with Adam, my dive guide on the boat.

 

Adam is a BRILLIANT guy, very helpful, patient and considerate and highly confidence inspiring. His feedback to me on what i was doing right/wrong after every dive made me overcome my initial anxiety and i could learn quite a bit about buoyancy control and finning technique just by observing him. Adam knew all the dive sites pretty well and i was told by most other divers on the boat that i was able to see more things down there than any of them, and that was only because of Adam. He gets 5 Stars in my books, and i would definitely give the boat & Adam a very good review on Tripadvisor as well, soon.

 

Overall the boat was great and so were the people (other divers) on board, the food was the high point, always fresh and very tasty, with a lot of variety.

 

I will definitely go back on the boat again in the future and would also recommend the boat & Adam to all my diving friends & acquaintainces.

 

A large part of the credit for my fabulous trip also goes to you, for making all the formalities so easy and especially for recommending the boat.

 

Thanks again for your help.

 

Please pass on my regards to the boat's crew.

 

Wishing you the best Paul, and hope to see you whenever i go down to Phuket next.

 

Cheers Mate

Rahul Joshi