Thailand
Phuket (liveaboard) and Khao Lak
M/V Marco Polo
The Destination
Most of Thailand’s top scuba diving spots are in the Andamen Sea on the west coast with dive sites of world-renown, such as those of the Similan islands, with its arches and swim-throughs, and Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. Many sites now enjoy National Marine Park Status. The Andaman Sea is crammed with colourful coral and tropical marine life, set around stunning tropical islands with their beautiful sandy beaches. There are regular sightings of turtles, leopard sharks, white and black tip reef sharks and giant manta rays (as well as the occasional frogfish!). Whale shark sightings are also possible in March.
Itinerary Highlights
Our adventure starts with 3 days at the Palm Garden Resort in Phuket, with 2 days boat diving. We then transfer to our liveaboard, the M/V Marco Polo for the next 6 nights with 6 days diving (22 dives), followed by 3 nights relaxing at the beautiful Palm Garden Resort, in Khao Lak (additional dives are available but to be paid for locally).
The Resorts & Liveaboard
Both of the resorts, and the M/V Marco Polo, are owned and managed by Sea Bees who have earned an excellent reputation as a dive operator in Thailand. Both resorts are very similar, situated in beautiful gardens with swimming pools and accommodation comprising comfortably furnished and well appointed bungalows with private terraces (Air con, wifi, TV, minibar, safe, en-suite bathrooms etc). These are room only bookings but resort restaurants offer a wide selection of mouth-watering Thai and International dishes, as well as a large assortment of delicious cocktails!
M/V Marco Polo is a typical liveaboard as found in Thailand with salon / dining and a spacious dive deck. There are 7 roomy cabins (3 doubles and 4 twins with bunk beds). All rooms have ceiling fans and the doubles offer air con as a chargeable extra. The boat carries an on-board compressor and the price includes all meals, tanks, weights and air-fills on board.
The Package
This package offers 6 nights accommodation on a room only basis, plus 6 nights on the liveaboard (6 days diving), circa 26 dives and all transfers (including from/to Phuket airport) NB. Flights are not included and are currently available for approximately £500, but obviously this price is subject to change.
Finally, New Horizons will provide you with a group leader.
The Price
£1,150 (based on twin share), supplement for air con (doubles only): £100
New Horizons fee: £80 (£40 for Gold members of the Dive Society)
NB this price does not include flights.
Deposits & Payment Schedules
Payment for this trip may be made using the following payment plan:
- Initial deposit: £250 – payable at the time of booking
- NHDC admin fee: £80 – payable at the time of booking
- Stage payment: £300 – payable by 01/09/16
- Final balance: £600 – payable by 10/12/16
Included
Double or twin bed accommodation (air-conditioning an optional extra in double cabins on M/V Marco Polo).
All meals on board the M/V Marco Polo.
Not Included
Transport to/from your home and Manchester airport.
Flights to/from Thailand.
To Book
To reserve your place on this trip please complete a New Horizons Dive Centre booking form, returning the completed form (one per person) to the shop be post, email or in person along with payment of a deposit of £250 per person, payable to NHDC plus £80 per person New Horizons fee. We will provide you with confirmation of your place on the trip once we’ve received the booking form and receipt of payment.
Payments may be made by credit/debit card or online payment – please contact us for details.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SPACES ARE LIMITED SO BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.
Flights
New Horizons will NOT be booking any flights and it is up to you to book your own flights. Please note that you will be required by the airline to pay the full cost of the flight at the time of booking.
We have researched a number of different flight options covering a number of airlines. We have considered very carefully departure times (outward/return), arrival times (Phuket & Manchester), connection wait times, baggage allowances, airline reputation and, of course, costs.
Our preference is that our group all travel on the same flights as this will make both the administration of the trips and the logistics much easier. Details of our preferred flight are below. As at 26/05/2016, prices are being quoted at £494 but, as you will know, prices do change and generally there will only be a limited number at this price before an increase might be applied.
Outward:
- Friday 10th March 2017
- Airline: Etihad Flight: EY22
- Depart Manchester: 19.15
- Arrive Abu Dhabi: Saturday 11th March, at 06.40
- Depart Abu Dhabi: EY430, 08.45 Saturday 11th March, arrive Phuket 18.20
Return
- Thursday 23rd March 2017
- Airline: Etihad Flight: EY431
- Depart Phuket: 20.20
- Arrive Abu Dhabi: Friday 24th March, at 00.20
- Depart Abu Dhabi: EY15, 02.20 Friday 24th March, arrive Manchester 06.40
Anyone who wishes to choose alternative flights should contact New Horizons to discuss their reasons for doing so. Please bear in mind that you may need to book and pay for your own airport transfers.
Equipment
Equipment rental is available from New Horizons for the trip. You must take all your personal dive equipment, except tank and weights. Due to the nature of the diving during this week, all divers MUST have dive computers and delayed SMBs with reels. Night dives are included in this package and to participate on these good quality torches will be required.
Diving Experience
A minimum of 30 dives and qualification to Advanced Open Water is a required to go on this trip.
Insurance
To go on this trip you must have travel and diving accident insurance. You can book your insurance with Dive Master Insurance through the New Horizons website and save 5%.
The Legal Stuff
New Horizons Dive Centre Ltd will provide your own group holiday leader to provide expertise and to administer the trip. The services of this trip leader and the gear rental available from New Horizons Dive Centre Ltd are the responsibility of New Horizons Dive Centre Ltd and are provided under a separate contract. These arrangements will be confirmed by us.
The final balance due will be payable 12 weeks before departure.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact us or call in to the dive centre.