FAQ

Geography and Seasons

The Similan and Surin Islands are open from 15.October till 15.May every year! Out of this period it is not possible to dive at the Similan and Surin Islands.
The Similan Islands are about 70 km offshore from the mainland, Richelieu Rock is another 100km offshore north. Khao Lak is not an island, it is located on the mainland, about 90km north of Phuket airport.


Pick up service

Day and Overnight trips on the M/V Manta Queen III:

we offer free pick up from Khao Lak area, depending on where exactly you stay between 6.50 am and 7.40 am. Please note that you need to show up at the dive center latest one day before your trip latest 7:30 pm!

Manta Queen I and Manta Queen II:

Free pick up from Khao Lak area and Phuket. Do not forget to let us know one day in advance where to pick you up!
After the trip we offer free transfers back to Khao Lak area and Phuket.


Check  In / Check out

All Live-aboard divers (Manta Queen I and II) need to be at the shop at 5.30 pm the day of the departure latest. Except for divers  who booked the pick up from Phuket.

The Live-aboard will be back after the trip in Khao Lak latest 4.00 pm.

All Daytrip and Manta Queen III overnight divers need to be at the shop latest 7.30 pm the day before the departure, as the trip starts very early the next morning.

The Trip is back in Khao Lak around 5.00 pm.


Diving

All diving is guided on our boats, with a maximum of 5 divers per guide on Manta Queen I and II and 4 divers per guide on Manta Queen III. You are not allowed to dive on your own! Maximum depth at Khao Lak Scuba Adventures for Advanced divers is 30 meters, for Open Water divers 24 meters. Technical divers with special dive equipment refer to their MOD (maximum operation depth) or to the limits of their training agency.
All tanks have International fittings but DIN adapters are provided at the dive center for free. Average water temperature 29 °C, average visibility all year around 20 - 25 meters

Equipment

Full set Equipment is included in the trip price. In case of own equipment we discount 400 baht per day on all daytrips and trips with Manta Queen III. On a Manta Queen I or Manta Queen II trip we discount 1000 baht for the entire trip.

Please note that a dive computer is not part of the rental equipment, as you dive with one of our guides in any case, you do not necessarily need a dive computer on your own. Of course you are free to use your own or rent one at the dive center.

Due to the distances between the dive sites, it is not possible to mix p.e. the Similan Islands with Richelieu Rock on a Daytrip. A Daytrip to the Similan Islands contains diving at the Similan Islands and a Daytrip at Richelieu Rock contains diving at Richelieu Rock.


Packing

Do bring:

•    Personal clothing & toiletries.
•    Prescription medicines.
•    Diving equipment (if own equipment)
•    Logbook, certification card, travel and diving insurance details (if own dive insurance)holiday details from your travel agency, if applicable.

•    Money to pay for extras.

•    Towel

•    Sunlotion

Nice to bring but not necessary:

•    CDs, videos, DVDs, books.I-Pod
•    Laptop, mobile phone, CD player.
•    Video and photo camera.
•    GPS tracker and binoculars.


Marine Park Fee

For entering the Similan and Surin Islands the government takes per person 400 baht entry fee. Additional, they take 200 baht for a dive permit per day.

These Fees are included in all our trip prices already!


Insurance

If you do not have your own dive insurance, you can add one to your package which covers all dive accidents,  including decompression accidents. It can be easily added at our dive center for 175 baht per day.

Bookings

Please note that a booking is only confirmed after an advanced payment via our homepage. It is not possible to transfer the full trip price via this webpage, as the maximum amount possible to transfer is 5000 baht. During Peak Season, we highly recommend to pre book your trip online.


Payment

We accept only Thai Baht and Credit Cards (Visa and Master card only). No American Express and no foreign currencies. Please note, that we charge 3% in case of credit card payment.

Emergency Contact

Khao Lak Dive Centre: 0066 76 485 602

24 hours Emergency hotline (Managers Phone): 0066 855 100 558

In the event of an emergency, family and friends can contact our Oxygène / Khao Lak Scuba Adventures staff on the number above. Staff can then contact the boat as all our guides
carry personal mobile phones. Please note that the trips might cruise out of mobile phone service range.

Terms and Conditions:

Please read carefully our General Booking, Cancellation, Payment and other policies

• Khao Lak Scuba Club Pa.Ltd will refund in total all monies paid in case of cancellation on our part. We do not accept financial responsibility for itinerary changes resulting from circumstances beyond our control such as adverse weather or political unrest.

• If any guest requires immediate evacuation and the vessel must return we do not accept financial responsibility for itinerary changes resulting from this event.Guest are strongly advised to have a valid dive medical, travel and cancellation insurance.

• A 3 % fee is applicable for payments via credit card (VISA/Master Card)

• When checking in, all divers and non divers are required to complete a liability release waiver and to show proof of diving certification such as PADI, SSI, CMAS or equivalent.

• Khao Lak Scuba Club Pa.Ltd do not accept any legal liability for loss or damage of any luggage or dive equipment while being transferred to/from the diving vessel nor while on board.

• Khao Lak Scuba Adventures insurance policy does cover both local evacuations and limited treatments in case of diving accidents, it does not cover the expenses inherent in repatriations, intercontinental transportation or familial visitation.

All guests should ensure they have appropriate insurance to cover the activities they will be undertaking during their trip, regardless of risk. We also highly recommend that guests take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy with coverage that includes cancellation, medical, personal liability and effects.
Please be advised that if guests choose not to carry travel insurance, Khao Lak Scuba Adventures will not be held responsible for any financial disappointment caused by reasons beyond our control.

• If departure of day and liveaboard cruises is not advisable - or may be dangerous to the life or health of the passengers or to the boat, due to conditions such as: bad weather, perils of the sea, Acts of God, political incidents, force majeure - then the captain has the sole discretion to delay or cancel the cruise departure.

Likewise, during the cruise - if bad weather or force majeure (i.e. tsunami) events occur that make it inadvisable for guests to land, or for the boat to enter port - then the captain shall have the right to delay or postpone sailing until conditions allow, and make adjustments to the itinerary that may including cancellation of calls to ports, or the re-sequencing of island visits. For this reason we recommend appropriate cancellation insurance

• Please note that the number of dives we list in any package is a best estimate based on normal circumstances, not a guarantee. Circumstances may arise during your liveaboard vacation (weather, illness, personal choice) where the total number of dives done is less than the number we estimate. There will be no partial refunds in these circumstances.

• The remoteness of the diving destination, local custom and/or prevailing weather conditions may cause minor inconvenience or modification to the diving portions of the tour, and Khao Lak Scuba Adventures reserve the right to modify and/or cancel diving arrangements due to unfavorable weather conditions and/or technical difficulties at any time.

• In taking any dive course, regardless of previous experience or training, Khao Lak Scuba Adventures requires a complete medical Questionnaire to be filled out. These are available for down load on our agent area through our homepage.

• No refund or compensation is due payable by Khao Lak Scuba Adventures for any unused training or trip portions. Guests who do not complete training or trips for any reason, are not entitled to a refund for a portion of the total cost.

• Before commencing any vacation one should be physically able to enjoy themselves. The activities that Khao Lak Scuba Adventures offers can be physically demanding, and as such you will be required to be reasonably physically fit to participate and enjoy these activities. Discomfort, displeasure and pain resulting from the inability to do said activities as a result of physical unfitness are not ground for complaint or refund.
• Similan Islands Daytrips, Khao Lak Daytrips, Thailand Daytrips

Khao Lak Scuba Club Pa. Ltd and the dive guides on the boat can prohibit participation on dives at their discretion based on lack of respect for marine park rules and regulations, lack of respect – or “handling” of any marine life, alcohol consumption between dives or not abiding by international safe diving rules. In this case we will not refund you for the missed dives.

• I agree to pay compensation at full current market value to Khao Lak Scuba Club Pa. Ltd for any and all damage or loss of property and equipment belonging to Khao Lak Scuba Club Pa. Ltd resulting from abuse or negligence on my part. 

• Khao Lak Scuba Club Pa. Ltd does not accept any legal liability for loss or damage to any luggage or dive equipment while being transferred to/from the vessel nor while on board.

• Khao Lak Scuba Club Pa. Ltd is not certified to give you any medical advice. If you are unsure about any medical matter then please seek advice from a certified General Practitioner before scuba diving, and similar activities.

• All cabins are shared rooms, a single supplement is only required if guests demand a private cabin.

• Maximum depth on all Khao Lak Scuba Club Pa. Ltd dive vessels is 30 meters / 99 feet for Advanced Divers, Rescue Divers, Divemasters, Instructors and Open Water Divers with proof of the Deep Adventure Dive. Open Water divers without any extra training will not be allowed to dive deeper than 24 meters.
• Technical diving is limited to the max depth of the gas mix and official rules of the technical diving association.

Cancellation Fees:

To reserve a space at the boat a deposit is due to be paid before trip confirmation. Please do not transfer the full amount in advanced.

Deposit amount Manta Queen I and II        3,000,- Thai Baht per person

Deposit amount Manta Queen III and dive course please contact the dive center before doing any payment

Balance payment has to be be paid in cash (Thai Baht only) or Credit Card prior trip departure in our office

Any cancellation later than 5 days before departure:    No refund of deposit payment

Not showing up on trip departure date:                       No refund of any payment

The Team of Khao Lak Scuba Adventure is looking forward to dive with you soon.