Thailand: Feb 6-20, 2027 *

After decades of leading dive trips to the best dive locations globally, somewhat surprisingly, this will be our first dive trip to Thailand. Travel staff recently went there to experience the dive operators and diving first hand. There are no shortages of them in Thailand. The coastal areas around Phuket are often very crowded with divers from all over the world. The obvious choice is to do a liveaboard to get away from the crowds. In addition to the diving we wanted to include an opportunity to experience the beauty and culture of Northern Thailand and that is where our trip begins...

Chiang Mai Province is known for its thickly-forested mountains inhabited by several hill tribes, each with its own language and culture. In the provincial capital, Chiang Mai, the old city has noteworthy Buddhist temples dating to the Lanna Kingdom, including 14th-century Wat Chedi Luang. The sacred, gilded Doi Suthep Temple overlooks the city from nearby Mt. Suthep. You will see why Chiang Mai was named a top 25 place to visit in the world by the Lonely Planet Press.

Our home will be the brand new Chiang Mai Signature Lodge. The lodge, designed to be an integral part of the surrounding landscape, has a capacity of just 16 guests. Our group on the Thailand Aggressor will be the only guests at the resort!

Each Hill Tribe chalet can be either two twin beds or a king with 2 private bathrooms, 2 private closets and a bathtub, including 2 spa beds on the balcony and complimentary amenities. All the chalets are semi outdoor decorated with beautiful Thai handmade furniture and includes a flat screen LCD TV in the living room, fan, and hairdryer. The living room is located next to the bed area with sofa and coffee tables for guests to relax and enjoy.

Meals are included with breakfast (cooked to order), buffet or picnic lunches and an elegant dinner with table side service. Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are complimentary while staying at the lodge. Linens are changed daily(upon request)and fresh towels are placed in each chalets needed.

Now that you are relaxed and acclimated to Thailand, it is time to go diving. Your home for seven nights will be the 110' ft Thailand Aggressor. It carries 16 guests and a crew of 12. There are 2 cabins with queen size beds and 6 cabins with 2 twin beds. Cabins are independently air conditioned and each has a private head and shower. There is a spacious salon for relaxation. The upper level offers a shaded sundeck along with a hot tub and bar.

Meals are served buffet style and are a combination of American and Thai cuisines. Breakfasts always include fresh fruits, hot entrees, cereal and juices. Lunches feature hot soups, homemade breads, salads and entrees. Dinners are chef prepared and served each evening and include salads, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken. A wide variety of beverages are provided including a limited selection of local beer and wine.

Our first destination is the Similan Islands. Declared a National Park in 1982, the Similan Islands are nine islands with numerous smaller rock outcroppings. The islands are surrounded by huge underwater rock formations. These underwater canyons are home to an amazing variety of marine life. Schools of yellowtail barracuda, fusiliers, trevally, sweetlips, and black and white snappers are all common in the area, as well as octopuses, sea snakes, and nudibranchs.

We continue north, diving off of uninhabited islands rich in marine life. At many of the dive sites you will see giant sea fans, as well as colorful soft corals and many species of hard corals. Frogfish, ribbon eels, banded pipefish are commonly seen. At the dive site called Koh Tachai whale sharks and mantas are often encountered. Another site, called West of Eden, is a good place to look for macro subjects while turtles often cruise nearby. The most northerly of the dive sites visited, Richelieu Rock blew us away with some of the most spectacular diving we have encountered anywhere in the world. It has everything already discussed and much more. It is a paradise for underwater photographers.

Thailand has a tropical climate with a rainy, warm, and cloudy southwest monsoon from mid-May to September, and a dry, cool northeast monsoon from November to mid-March. February is considered to be an excellent time to be in Thailand. During our time diving the Andaman Sea we will enjoy warm tropical conditions. When we travel north we can expect lots of sunshine with highs averaging around 90ºF and night time lows around 73ºF.

• All accommodations at Chiang Mai Lodge and the Thailand Aggressor ( based on double occupancy)

• Daily breakfast, lunch, dinners and snacks (except travel days)

• Beverages including drinking water, tea, coffee, soft drinks, local beer and wine

• Up to 24 dives

• Tanks and weights

• Transfers between Chiang Mai Airport and the lodge. Transfers to and from the Thailand Aggressor.

• Airfare and additional overnights

• Diving and Travel insurance (highly recommended)

• Marine Park Fee: ($95 payable on board)

• Nitrox ($100 payable on board)

• Incidental charges: Individual group members will be responsible for their own charges including but not limited to beverages and bar bill, telephone, internet usage, sightseeing, equipment rental of any sort, gratuities and any other items of a personal nature.

• Scuba certification card required for each diver.

• We recommend all divers purchase DAN membership.

• We highly recommend all travelers purchase travel insurance.

• A passport is required for travel.

**All rates quoted by Scuba Center include a 3% discount for cash/check payments.

Reservations / Deposit Information:

• $500 deposit is required at registration

DAN Membership & Diving Insurance

Sample packing checklist