Are you looking to be treated like royalty on a world famous, yet traditional Borneo tallship schooner, while you dive and surf remote, tropical destinations only accessible by boat in the Andaman Sea? Then look no further than the glamorous Raja Laut liveaboard.

Raja Laut featured in a spectacular Villa & Yacht photo shoot, had an article in TIME Magazine and received great reviews in Boat Review, Pacific Rim Leisure and Seabreeze Magazine.

Catering especially to full charter diving cruises with flexible itineraries, the  Raja Laut enables you to plan your own diving holiday in such exotic destinations as Koh Chang, Koh Samui, Phuket, Phan Nga Bay, Surin and the glorious Similan Islands. Think of it, just you and 9 of your best dive buddies surrounded by manta rays, leopard sharks and possibly even whale sharks, enjoying the most scenic diving sites in the world.

If you want to see for yourself, then sail off into this video tour aboard the Raja Laut and meet the team.

Are you keen to live like a king diving the Andaman Sea from Raja Laut? Contact Dive The World to check on availability for the dates of your diving holiday on +66 (0)83 505 7794 or email us at blog@dive-the-world.com.

John Gray is quite a character and has been an environmental activist since he was just a young boy.  Now his Sea Canoe business is a perfect example of how eco-tourism can contribute to the bottom line too. In 2008 John Gray’s Sea Canoe won the SKAL Club International Ecotourism Award for Transportation. His Trip Advisor reviews record 35 rave comments with numerous people naming them as the ‘highlight’ of their trip. Travel forums in Phuket have rated them as the ‘best ever‘ in terms of professionalism, food, guides, international standards and service.

We at Dive The World agree whole-heartedly. John Gray’s Sea Canoe offers the best trips in Phuket and make a really cool non-diving activity for in-between your Thailand liveaboard or Phuket day trip diving holiday. If you are already in Phuket, simply pop into our Dive Shop to book your next sea kayaking adventure.

John the “Caveman” Gray is also known as Ling Yai to staff and friends alike, which means ‘Big Monkey’. His Sea Canoe trips explore some of the most pristine sites in the Indo-Pacific.  When first witnessing the effects of global warming in Fiji’s Gilan’gila Bay, he said “It felt like driving past a car wreck and realizing the carnage was my family. I was devastated – and I still am.”

Ling Yai’s long-held belief is that caring for the environment makes financial sense. He subscribes to the Triple Bottom Line business management practice, saying “We must balance profits, social responsibility and environmental responsibility – or look for another home.”

Based in Phuket his passion for saving Phuket from the long-term effects of short-sighted over-development goes hand-in-hand with fun-filled kayaking experiences.

Calling eco-tourists: Phang Nga Bay Clean-Up – 30 Dec 09
Join John Gray’s Sea Canoe and students of Travel and Environmental Sciences from Prince of Songkla to help clean up Phang Nga Bay. Everyone is welcome to come along and make this day a success.
A donation of US$ 30 (THB 1,000) per person is requested to cover the cost of transfers, food, guides, boat and kayak rentals.

So do you want to book a John Gray Sea Canoe adventure for in-between your next Thailand liveaboard or day trip diving holiday in Phuket? Contact Dive The World for more information at blog@dive-the-world.com or call us on +66 (0)83 505 7794. If you are already in Phuket, simply pop in and visit our Dive Shop or call the shop on +66 (0)76 340 318.

Further Reading:
John Gray ‘The Triple Bottom Line‘
John Gray ‘Last Chance To Save Phuket‘

An old dive boat, Harruby, has been laid to rest off the island of Koh Racha Yai in the hopes of building an artificial reef. The Department of Marine Coastal Resources (DMCR) donated the liveaboard which was sunk last Saturday in a project to be run by The Racha Resort.

If you have dived Koh Racha Yai before, you will have experienced diving the 2 previously sunk liveaboards, now populated with bountiful sea creatures and corals. Paitoon Panchaiyaphum of the DMCR expects young coral to quickly grow in the vessel’s framework.  He hopes the project will in future reduce pressure on the other natural coral dive spots and there are plans to sink another boat in the coming year

The occasion was launched with speeches and a religuous ceremony, then Harruby was positioned in 25m deep water in the Ao Teu bay.  She took about 1½ hours to be scuttled and then sink to her final resting place.

Source: Phuket Gazette

Do you want to dive the coral reefs in Koh Racha Yai? Contact Dive The World for more information at blog@dive-the-world.com or call us right away on +66 (0)83 505 7794.

Thailand is a consistently popular destination with British divers.  The British Ambassador to Thailand is urging British tourists to register with the UK LOCATE service.

“Whether you are visiting Thailand on holiday, flying in for a business trip or simply reside in this beautiful land of smiles, the last thing you want is to be caught up in a situation in which your loved ones cannot locate your whereabouts,” Ambassador Quayle said. “I’d like to encourage British nationals in Thailand to register with LOCATE so that, if necessary, we will be able to contact your next of kin and locate you.”

Specifically geared to national emergencies, this service will help friends and/or family find you if incidents occur.  Registration is online where you can also sign up for email alerts and receive warnings and travel updates for the area.

Your information is password protected and access is controlled by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Source: Phuket Gazette

Are you planning a diving holiday in Thailand? Contact Dive The World for more information at blog@dive-the-world.com or call us right away on +66 (0)83 505 7794.

Bangkok Hospital Phuket and the Mekawanich Foundation are launching a seagrass fertilization project on 19 Dec 09 in Pa Khlok near Phuket. This project will see the long-term release and monitoring of 20,000 ‘effective micro-organisms’ (EM) balls into the ocean, in the hopes of purifying the waters and attracting more dugongs to the area.

According to statistics from the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) the number of dugongs living in Thailand’s waters has dwindled to 220, with only 20 in Phuket and 3 in Pa Khlok.

Pareeya Jullaphong head of CSR for Bangkok Hospital Phuket hopes the project will ensure the health of existing seagrass beds in Pa Khlok, thus attracting more sea cows to the area.

President of the Makawanich Foundation and owner of the Siri Hotel, Nonthalee Makawanich asserts that the EM balls will effectively purify wastewater and fertilise the seagrass beds.

The leading dugong researcher at PMBC, Kanjana Adulyanukosol, is not as optimistic. Pointing out there is no supporting evidence EM balls will achieve either of these goals in the long-term and although they have been effective in smaller areas, Patong would be better served by reducing pollution at the source.

Volunteers are invited to take part in rolling the EM balls on 19 - 20 Dec 09 in the parking lot of the Siri Hotel and then attending the event to throw 10,000 balls into the Pa Khlok sea.  Could be a messy business as the balls will comprise ¼ cow dung, ¼ rice bran and ½ soil mixed with purple, lactic acid and yeast bacteria.

Source: Phuket Gazette

Do you want to dive with dugongs in Phuket while you still can? Contact Dive The World at blog@dive-the-world.com or call us on +66 (0)83 505 7794.

Fishermen have discovered a new jewel for the Andaman diving crown – a coral reef about 9 km west of Kho Khao Island in the Phang Nga region north of Phuket.

“We found mostly encrusting corals, tabulate corals, several species of fish and four or five octopi,” said a coral researcher from the Phuket Marine Biological Center who investigated the claim earlier this week. Mr Chaimongkhol went on to say “The reef’s fertility is average” and “very attractive for diving in general”.

Flourishing 21m below the surface and stretching over virtually 9 km², the bounty of this new discovery will be easily accessible to divers of all skill levels whether filling in between liveaboard holidays, or choosing a day trip boat from Phuket.

The locals have been galvanised into action by the find, launching the ‘Nemo Returns’ project.  Gaining the support of the Department of Fisheries, the Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Department and the Phang Nga Tourist Association, the project is planning coastal cleanups and will be adding marine life to enhance divers’ enjoyment of the reef. One can but wonder if that will include clownfish.

The ultimate aim is to attract tourists to Phang Nga’s coast from the many popular dive spots in the area, including the original jewel of the Andaman Sea: the Similan Islands.

Does this whet your appetite for a Phuket day trip diving holiday? Contact Dive The World for more information at blog@dive-the-world.com or call us on +66 (0)83 505 7794.

Source: Phuket Gazette

Updated: 09 Nov 09

Combining the mystique of a sailing vessel with newly constructed modern liveaboard standards,  SY Diva Andaman will carry you to Phi Phi Island diving bliss.  SY Diva Andaman has a ratio of 10 crew (including masseuse) to 16 guests and focusses on delivering  first-rate customer care.

Choose between a 2 day weekend trip diving the hard coral reef of Racha Noi, Phuket amid somersaulting manta rays.

Or a 5 day weekly cruise to the movie-set beaches of the Phi Phi Islands where you will be fascinated by cuttlefish as you explore Koh Mai Phai, Koh Ha and Koh Rok.

SY Diva Andaman
Southern Cruise
Monday – Friday
5 Days 4 Nights 12 dives
Price: US$ 1,470 (THB 48,310)

Phuket Cruise
Saturday – Sunday
2 Days 1 Night 4 dives
Price: US$ 547 (THB 17,980)

Includes: cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, coffee, hot chocolate, tea and water, soft drinks and beer, dives, scuba equipment, tanks, torches, experienced English-speaking divemaster(s).

Excludes: Nitrox tanks, dive insurance, wine and spirits, traditional Thai massage, hotel to boat transfers.

Let SY Diva Andaman’s elegant lines entertain you on your next diving holiday in the Phi Phi Island. Contact Dive the World for more information on +66 (0)83 505 7794, or email us at blog@dive-the-world.com.

Note: All prices quoted are per diver sharing and subject to currency fluctuations.

Are you planning a day trip diving holiday in Phuket?  Take your family along as there will be lots for them to do with a Swatch FIVB beach volleyball women’s tour taking place daily on Karon Beach from 3-8 Nov 09.

Women from all over the world will be entertaining the crowds with their ball handling skills including: Switzerland, Brazil, USA, China, Germany and Great Britain.

You might have a hard time deciding between watching the girls on the beach or meeting cute cuttlefish on the reef.

Either way, you are guaranteed to have tons of fun.

The sponsor village will offer loads of entertainment with games, stalls, delicious food, an amateur event and children’s beach volleyball classes.  Entrance is free for the event.

Source: Phuket Gazette or Pentangle Promotions

Would you like to book your Phuket day trip diving holiday now? Contact Dive The World for more information at blog@dive-the-world.com or call us on +66 (0)83 505 7794.

Thailand diving season is just around the corner.  Anyone who has dived the ocean surrounding Koh Samui Island will appreciate the biodiversity in Thai waters and value the continued health of their oceans, coral reefs and marine life.  So, here’s an interesting idea: begin your diving holiday by taking part in the International Day of Climate Action on 24 Oct 09.

One option would be to help plant 350 mangrove trees in Samut Prakan to reduce carbon dioxide.

The roots of mangrove trees provide valuable breeding grounds for sea creature juveniles. What better way to ensure that you will continue to see biodiversity in the oceans on your next dive, than to safeguard their nurseries.

Follow this wonderful start to your holiday with a diving day trip package to Koh Samui Island and find a resort that fit your needs.  Get to the island from Bangkok via a comfortable Bangkok Air flight, or take a night train.

For other International Climate Day actions near your Thailand scuba diving holiday destination visit www.350.org

To make plans to dive Koh Samui contact Dive The World at blog@dive-the-world.com or call us on +66 (0)83 505 7794.

Phuket is going all out to keep you safe on your next liveaboard holiday in Thailand. The Andaman Sea Rescue Service (ASRS) has been awarded 18 million baht in a Cabinet ruling to improve safety along the Andaman Coast.

The ASRS will use the extra funding to purchase much needed speedboats, life rafts as well as medical and communications equipment. In addition, the Thai Navy and Marine Police will be implementing 45-day training programmes for the rescue personnel.

The ASRS volunteers keep scuba divers safe in the following Andaman provinces: Phang Nga, Krabi, Phuket, Trang and Ranong.

“Our response time will be much faster and we can provide additional support to all 5 provinces in our jurisdiction with the new equipment,” said Udomporn Karn, head of operations at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation center in Phuket.

Source: Phuket Gazette

With the Thailand diving season just around the corner doesn’t all that good news make you feel like booking your next Phuket liveaboard holiday right away? Contact Dive the World at blog@dive-the-world.com or call us on +66 (0)83 505 7794.