Phanthip2

Similan Islands

Best time for diving
Mid-October - May is the optimum diving season on the Andaman coast (west coast). From early December until late April you can usually expect clear skies nearly every day. On average, you can expect 20 meters of visibility at The Similan Islands throughout the diving season.

Due to the likelihood of extreme weather during the monsoon months, the local authorities close the marine parks from May 16th until October 14th every year. Therefore the Similan diving season is from October 15th to May 15th.

About temperatures
Air: throughout the year, temperatures range from 25°C to 34°C with April through May being the hottest month and January the coldest
Sea: between 27°C - 29°C all year round, there are times when it drops to the mid or even low 20s, but in general these are rare or temporary occasions.

Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 mm wetsuit year-round.

Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels. You can find out more information about diving in Similan Islands here : Similan Islands

Embarkation / Disembarkation
Most of the embarkation and disembarkation are in Khao Lak, or Phuket, guests can fly in/out of Phuket International Airport (HKT).
Transfer between Phuket Airport and Tap Lamu Pier (Khao Lak) is approximately 1 ½ - 2hr, depending on traffic.
Transfer between Phuket Airport and Chalong Pier is approximately 1 ½hrs, depending on traffic.

A few liveaboards set their embarkation and disembarkation in Ranong (UNN).

Visa Requirements
Many nationalities can visit Thailand without a visa under the Visa on Arrival rule or Visa Exemption scheme. These options allow visitors to stay for up to 30 or 45 days.
To find out more information, please visit the Thai Visa on Arrival, or Visa Exemption and Bilateral Agreement or contact your nearest embassy/consulate.

Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are required unless you are coming from or passing through contaminated areas. Yellow fever certificates are required for those who are coming from the following 14 countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Angola, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan, and Zaire.

Money Matters
The local currency is the Thai Baht (THB). The majority of established hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards.
However, smaller, family-run places probably will not. There are money changers and ATMs located at the airport and the ports.

Drones
Tourists can bring their drones into Thailand. However, they are not allowed to fly their drones here until they have registered their devices with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.

Malaysia

Best time for diving
March - July is usually consider as the best time for diving in Sipadan, as visibility is at its peak between 20 and 40 meters, there is plenty of sunshine and the sea is calm. Nesting for hawksbill and green turtles usually happens from April through to September.

Some divers include September through to early December amongst the best time to dive too, visibility during these months are between 15 and 30 meters. The seas are usually calm, at times even glass-calm. The days are usually sunny and hot and the temperatures of the water are reliably bath-warm.

The winds from the north in January or February and those from the south in August or early September may reduce visibility to between 10 and 20 meters. These winds may cause the surface conditions to get a little choppy which can make the boat ride out to the site uncomfortable.

December to February is rainy season on the island which may cause the visibility to decrease. While the rains have become uncertain of late, showers are most frequent in January and February. During the rainy season, Mabul, Sipadan and Pulau Kapalai do not generally see much rain, but rather scattered rain in the evening.

About temperatures
Air: hot and sunny all year round, range 28°C - 32°C most of the time.
Sea: Water temps usually above 27°C , with some cooler waters of 24°C in the rainy season.

Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 mm wetsuit year-round.

Diver requirement
ONLY Advanced Open Water diver and above level diver can do diving in Sipadan. You can find out more information about diving in Sipadan here : Malaysia

Embarkation / Disembarkation
The embarkation and disembarkation are from Semporna town. Guests need to fly in/out Tawau airport (TWU). There are frequent flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau (2.45 hrs). Once arrived in Tawau airport, guests can get a taxi to Semporna town (1.5hrs).

Visa Requirements
In normal circumstances, nationals of most countries in Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and many other countries can visit Malaysia without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. This applies to entries by air, land and sea.

Citizens of Russia and many neighboring countries are granted a stay of one month on arrival, and similar rules apply to nationals of many countries in Africa and Central and South America. For longer stays, you’ll need to apply for a visa.

Tourist E-Visas lasting up to 30 days are issued to citizens of Serbia & Montenegro, China, India, and many other nations in South Asia and Africa.

Sipadan Permits
Since 2006, a permit quota system by was introduced whereby a visitor requires a permit for diving or snorkeling at Sipadan. The right to issue permits is vested with Sabah Parks. They issue 176 permits per day which is divided among the dive resorts, dive centers and liveaboard operator.

Guests who join liveaboard trips will be guaranteed with dive permit. If you staying at the resort, then you will not automatically get a permit. If your stay is long enough, most resort will guarantee one Sipadan permit.

Money Matters
The local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). Foreign currencies and travelers' cheques and can be changed for Malaysian Ringgit at local bank. The liveaboard also accept USD, Euro cash payment.

Drones
Tourists can bring their drones into Malaysia. However, a permit may be needed. For more information, please refer to Drone Laws in Malaysia.

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.