StanKase

There are a number of firms listed in the Phuket Gazette that offer 1 day trips to the Phi Phi and Similian( I realize this is a longer trip) Islands. I posted a similar question 4-5 weeks ago and never got clear feedback. Fodor's, Lonely Planet and Rogue speak highly of the snorkeling in March-April when we are going to be in Phuket.
We are avid snorkelers and with 5 days in Phuket thought 2 one day trips made sense.
Can you help me and recommend a reliable firm that takes 10-20 people vs. 40+? Thanks.

Can you help me ??

gard

Hi

People do take snorkle trips from Phuket to Phi Phi ...well, my wife and I did when we went to Thailand a few years back but I can't remember which company we used. I have posted trip reports with pictures from our tips to Thailand on my homepage <font color="blue">gardkarlsen.com</font>. Maybe you can find some useful information there.

Regards
Gard
STavanger, Norway

cytrav2000

You can snorkel in the Phi Phi islands, but it doesn't compare at all with the snorkeling in the South Pacific Islands or Maldives.

tulip

HI StanKase
We had a lot of fun snorkeling along Phi Phi. Did it in Nov 2003. The abundance of fish were amazing, along with their &quot;friendliness&quot;. Sounds weird, but others in our speedboat also made the same observation. Combined, our group had snorkeled along the GBR, South Pacific, Hawaii, and Malaysia..all agreed the fish in Thailand had no problem swimming right up to you when crumbs were thrown their way. Would highly recommend the trip. Can't recall the tour group, but it was a snorkeling combined w/site seeing--visiting Maya beach, Monkey Island etc. Perhaps not as snorkeling intensive as you'd like (about 3 hrs worth of snorkeling out of the 8 hr excursion) but fun for day. Phi Phi is great fun. I was weary when my husband purchased the trips on our way out of BKK to Phuket at the airport. The tours promised they were 30% cheaper to buy at the airport than at Phuket. I was determined to prove my husband wrong once we arrived in Phuket (whoever heard that you can buy anything Cheaper at the airport) but he was correct. We checked other prices along Phuket and they were more expensive. I think our one day excursion was $50 which included transfers, lunch, and gear.

StanKase

Thanks for the info. How large was the boat and was it 10 or 30 people?Three hours of snorkeling if variety of fish and healthy coral exists is enough. I wish you knew the name for the staff can make the trip.

Anyone having taken Similian Island trip even though I know snorkeling is limited to about 2 hours because of distance vs. Phi Phi.

simpsonc510

We went on a 1-day snorkeling trip from Phuket to Phi Phi. The ferry to Phi Phi is a relatively large boat. Once you get to Phi Phi, you can rent a smaller long tail w/driver, or a faster motorized boat w/driver and go out snorkeling on your own. In other words, the snorkeling part of the trip isn't a &quot;large group&quot; operation. You can go to some very quiet areas, like the small Phi Phi island where you find Maya Beach. Lovely!
Enjoy.

sydneyx

You may find the Similan Islands closed in April if the South West monsoon sets in early,the sea gets very rough there during this monsoon season.Phi Phi ,Kho Lanta and the islands south will be fine,there are many boats that take small groups,you won't find them on the net.I live next to the boating area in Ao Chalong, Phuket,I could ask a few of the boat owners for you,just send me an email

StanKase

Providing me 2-3 reliable firms that offer 1 day trips to Phi Phi-KoTau and the Similians would be helpful. An email address would be great. We will be there around April 1st so hopefully the weather for the Similian Island trip will be good. I thought the best time was March-June.
Thanks.

sydneyx

Phuket Scuba Club are very reliable and will sort you out.Best time December - April max.www.phuket-scuba-club.com
Scuba Cat www.scubacat.com is one of the biggest as are Kon- Tiki Diving www.kon-tiki-diving.com