Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Boat 813
In an open field nearly 1km from shore, this boat is a testament to the force of the
2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Nearly 10 years later, it remains the region's most prominent
reminder of the disaster. There's an information booth nearby with a tsunami timeline in
both Thai and English. It's a 50B
sŏrng·tăa·ou
ride between here and Khao Lak.
MONUMENT
Activities
Diving or snorkelling day excursions to the Similan and Surin Islands are immensely pop-
ular but, if you can, opt for a live-aboard. Since the islands are around 60km from the
mainland (about three hours by boat), you'll have a more relaxing trip and experience the
islands sans day trippers. All dive shops offer live-aboard trips from around 17,000/
29,000B for three-/five-day packages and day trips for 4900B to 6500B.
On these two-, three-, four- or five-day trips, you'll wake up with the dawn and slink
below the ocean's surface up to four times per day in what's commonly considered to be
one of the top 10 diving realms in the world. While both the Similan and Surin Islands
have experienced vast coral bleaching recently,
Richelieu Rock
is still the crème de la crème
of the region's sites.
Ko Bon
and
Ko Ta Chai
are two other good sites due to the traffic of giant
manta rays.
Although geared towards divers, all dive shops welcome snorkellers who can hop on
selected dive excursions or live-aboards for a discount of around 40%; otherwise, tour
agencies all around town offer even cheaper snorkelling trips to the Similan Islands for
around 3200B. PADI Open Water certification courses cost anywhere from 10,000B to
18,000B depending on where you dive. You can go on a 'discover scuba' day trip to the
Similans for around 6000B to 6500B.
Wicked Diving
OFFLINE MAP
( 0 7648 5868;
www.wickeddiving.com
)
An exceptionally well-run and environmentally con-
scious outfit that runs diving and snorkelling overnight trips offering a range of live-
aboard options including Whale Sharks & Mantas, Turtle & Reefs and Sharks & Rays
courses, too.
DIVING
Sea Dragon Diver Centre
DIVING
