Rex Hargrave Thailand Nov 2019

THE SCUBA PLACE
WHERE TO DIVE : ASIA
THAILAND


PHUKET
In recent years Koh Phi Phi Island has gained a reputation as a spectacular tourist destination, one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world. But most people still don’t realise that Phi Phi is equally beautiful underwater. Phi Phi Island and the surrounding Phang-Nga Bay are spectacular limestone rocks created thousands of years ago. Many rise dramatically upward with sheer sides and have numerous caves where fearless men on bamboo scaffolding climb up to gather swallows nests (nok nang ann) for bird’s nest soup.
To the north, in Phang Nga Bay, is one of the worlds largest mangrove tracts, and it is in this dark and muddy sanctuary that an surprising amount of colourful reef fish are born and reared. In fact, without the mangrove providing shelter and food to so many marine species, the spectacular underwater landscape you are about to see on your first dive wouldn’t exist.
The dive sites vary enormously, ranging from sheer walls with a different creature in every nook and cranny, to craggy rock outcroppings surrounded by a smooth sandy bottom. Because of the abundance of nutrients in the water, these sites are rich in filter feeding mollusks such as clams, giant oysters and scallops. Golden gorgonian fans wave in the currents, while crinoids, starfish and anemones cling to every available surface. This is the perfect place to get out your macro lens and try and find a rare pink and white nudibranchs. If you’re lucky, you may spot something at the very top of the chain: "shallam wan" or whaleshark!
Hin Musang or Shark Rock, as it translates, rises out of the water from the surrounding depths of 18-20 meters. Considering the small extent of the rock above water, the actual size of the reef underwater is a big surprise to most divers. Beginning from the relatively steep main rock
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pinnacle, the reef flattens out to the south rising two more times to just below the surface at the other two pinnacle that make up the reefs structure.
The second pinnacle, depending on the currents is an excellent place to start the dive. Like many places in Thailand, Shark Point’s most colourful feature is the profusion of the purple and pink soft corals that cling to the rock. The currents sweeping over the pinnacle’s provide food a- plenty for the hundreds of different species of hard corals and limitless tropical fish species. The name of the site comes from the common Leopard (Zebra) Shark (Stegastoma Varium), a docile creature that can be found lying in the sandy bottom surrounding the pinnacles. These completely reachable, trusting sharks grow to a length of a little over 2 meters, and most divers think that they are one of the "cutest" sharks in the ocean.
Due South of Phuket lie two classic tropical islands, Koh Racha Yai (Big Racha) and Koh Racha Noi (Little Racha). Both islands feature fringing hard coral reefs with an abundance of fish life, including octopus, cuttle fish, and moray eels. You can always find territorial triggerfish and large schools of blue line and yellow tail snapper. Both Islands are especially good for non- divers, plenty of shallow bays with big coral heads – ideal snorkelling territory.
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.thescubaplace.co.uk


BEYOND RESORT KATA
The hotel is beautiful – with superior grade rooms on the beach and off “the circuit” for some serious relaxation, and yet still with easy access to a vast array of bars restaurants to dine out and sample delicious local cuisine.
Indulge in your very own tropical escape and be greeted with a warm Thai welcome at tBeyond Resort Kata. Located on the popular Kata Beach in Phuket, the resort boasts blissful ocean views out across the Andaman Sea with the golden sands of Kata Beach a matter of steps from the resort.
With Sea Fun Divers, our preferred dive centre, diving in Phuket is available all year long. Free transport from Kata Beach to the dive centre at Katathani Beach Resort is provided and morning dives are followed by an on-board Thai buffet during your surface interval.
The diving will take in the major attractions of Shark Point, Racha Yai, Book Bay with possibility of getting down to the stunning Sea-Mounts of Hin Muang/Hin Daeng if conditions allow. There are both Reefs & Wrecks – and some pretty BIG dives to be had out there... Nitrox is included for all qualified divers so no nasty extras bill at the end of the week.
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.thescubaplace.co.uk


ITINERARY
THAILAND DIVE HOLIDAY
9 night itinerary
Friday 22 November to Tuesday 3 December 2019
TRIP SUMMARY:
- Return airfare Stansted to Phuket via Dubai on Emirates
- 9 nights at Beyond Resort Kata
- 7 days diving with 2 dives daily with SeaFun Divers
- Airport and daily diving transfers _______________________________________________________________________________________ PRICING:
£1995 per person based on double occupancy
£350 non-refundable deposit per person
balance due 12 weeks prior to departure
Please review booking conditions here _______________________________________________________________________________________ FLIGHT :
Friday 22 November 2019 : Emirates 34 / 378
departing : STN - Stansted at 20:15 (GMT+1)
arriving : DXB - Dubai 7:10 (next day/GMT+4)
Saturday 23 November 2019
departing : DXB - Dubai at 12:45 (GMT+4) arriving : HKT - Phuket at 21:50 (GMT+7)
Tuesday 3 December 2019 : Emirates 379 / 33
departing : HKT - Phuket at 2:00 (GMT+7)
arriving DXB - Dubai at 5:35 (GMT+4)
departing : DXB - Dubai at 9:30 (GMT+4)
arriving : STN - Stansted at 13:20 (GMT+1)
details : economy seating, 30kg checked baggage plus 15kg hand baggage allowance
_______________________________________________________________________________________ ACCOMMODATION :
Beyond Resort Kata : Phuket, Thailand
check in : Saturday 23 November 2019
check out : Monday 2 December 2019
details : deluxe room, bed & breakfast board : early check in and breakfast provided on arrival date
_______________________________________________________________________________________ DIVING :
Sea Fun Divers : Phuket, Thailand
details : 7 days with 2 dives daily, free NITROX for certified divers, lunch, water and soft drinks provided
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


ITINERARY
NOT INCLUDED:
• airline upgrades : we can arrange for higher class seating and/or extra baggage, please contact us for up to date pricing
• accommodation extras : additional meals, alcoholic beverages, wifi
• diving extras : additional dives available at an additional charge _______________________________________________________________________________________ BOOKING DETAILS:
To book this trip please contact us 020 7644 8252 or at [email protected]
Any change in pricing due to flight availability or other circumstances will be disclosed and discussed at time of booking.
Tickets and full travel documentation for group travel will be issued to all passengers 2 weeks prior to departure. All passengers will receive confirmation of their booking and receipt for deposit or any payment immediately after processing along with an ATOL certificate.
Passenger names as listed on passport, together with passport number and expiry date, date of birth and nationality is required for each passenger travelling before final documents can be distributed.
This brochure is intended for marketing purposes only. You will have been alerted to the conditions of your booking at the time of booking and as soon as we issue our confirmation invoice, a contract will exist between you and The Holiday Place Plc. Please check your confirmation invoice carefully and contact us immediately if any details are not correct. The contract is made on the terms of our booking conditions, which are governed by English Law, and the jurisdiction of the English Courts.
Travel and Diving Insurance are mandatory. Please review all Booking Conditions here. Thank you!
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


THAILAND GALLERY
© Tourism Authority of Thailand and © Johan Torfason for Sea Fun Divers