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Travel

Tablamu Pier – Gateway to Similan Islands & Myanmar

Thap Lamu PierThap Lamu Port is the main doorway to the amazing Similan islands and/or Myanmar. It has a deep water pier and is the closet point of land to the Similan dive sites.

Taplamu, spelt several different ways, is also home of the Thai Navy’s 3rd fleet. And you can see several of their large frigates, and other military craft, just as you leave port.

Taplamu is about 80 minutes away from the Similan Islands by speedboat and if you are on a Thailand Liveaboard or Day Diving boat this journey will take approximately 3-4 hours depending on the cruising speed of the vessel of course.

There are diving day boats travelling to the Similans every day of the high season however, the Thailand liveaboards tend to leave at late afternoon or at night time, thus allowing you to wake after a night under the stars to the glorious sites that the Similans hold.

Taplamu Pier is about 5 km off from the main route which takes you from Phuket Island to Khao Lak, so getting there via bus is quite easy -it’s even easy as part of a tour.

The Similan Islands are surrounded by the Andaman Sea which is roughly 70 km due west of Khao Lak beach.

How to Get to Thap Lamu Pier

There are many daily budget air-conditioned and VIP bus services direct from Bangkok’s southern bus terminal; these drive straight into Khao Lak.

From Khao Lak to Tablamu is only a 10/15 minute trip to the pier by taxi.

Other possibilities from the capital are travelling down by bus to the small town of Phang Nga Town. From Phang Nga Town it’s only 35 minutes then by bus to the Tap Lamu Pier junction.

Coming from Phuket, it’s very easy to get to indeed, just hop on a bus from the Phuket Town bus terminal, destined for Khao Lak, and disembark at the Tap Lamu Pier junction, just ten minutes south of Khao Lak.

Phuket International Airport, is the nearest airport to Thap Lamu. It has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and Bangkok as well as Europe and the UAE.

From Phuket International airport you can take a Taxi, which takes approximately 1 hour to Thap Lamu, or best to book an Airport Transfer Phuket online

Thap Lamu Pier is a bustling area with cars, trucks and minibuses so be careful, there are also many different boats and care must be taken getting in the boats from the pier.

There are several little shops to buy last minute items such as snacks, sun cream and small items of clothing. There are also some small restaurants and bathroom facilities to use.

Taplamu pier is an experience and the gateway to the most sensational scuba diving and snorkeling anywhere in the country guaranteeing you to have a ball of a time.

Map of Tablamu Pier

Thailand Liveaboards departing from Tablamu Pier

Categories
Travel

Chalong Pier – Phuket Island

Chalong Pier, Phuket Island – Thailand.

Most liveaboard cruises by MV Giamani depart from Chalong Pier, which is in the south of Phuket Island.

The Green marker in our Map below marks the “Meeting point” for MV Giamani.

The pier has a big parking lot, where you can park your car when joining MV Giamani or one of our day diving activities.

Accommodation in Chalong

Most popular choices for our Guests are the little Boutique Hotel “Pier 42” which is next to the pier, so very easy to get from hotel to Giamani and back. For all that prefer bigger hotels and more comfort the Ao Chalong Villa Resort or Chalong Chalet are a good places to stay.


Dining Out

Close to the pier are several restaurants. You find all from street food vendors, to local restaurants, Sea Food Restaurants and you will find plenty of Western food around if needed.

Shopping

Little markets, 7/11 and Family mart are just a few meters away.

 

Categories
Travel

Diving Seasons Thailand

Diving Seasons Thailand – The Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea have opposing seasons.

Andaman Sea – The West Coast of Thailand

Donald Duck Bay, Similan Islands - Diving Seasons Thailand
Donald Duck Bay, Similan Islands

High Season

This is typically regarded as being November to April. This is considered the dry season and affects the areas in the South and West of Thailand, mainly trips or packages in Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi, Similan, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Richelieu, Burma, Myanmar and Surin.

During this season the weather is generally sunny with an average of 29C/85F. February March are the most popular periods for spotting Whale Sharks.  Conditions are generally calm seas, sunny days and excellent diving conditions making it perfect for Liveaboard Thailand trips to the Similans, Myanmar, Phi Phi Islands and Hin Daeng & Hin Muang aboard our liveaboards.

Low Season

The low season in the Andaman is typically May to October. Whilst the weather and sea temperatures are still warm, diving in the areas of Similan and further north become more unpredictable due to possible high winds, periods of heavy rain and unexpected rough seas.   However, diving is still available in other areas of the Andaman Sea in this period, especially in the areas of Phuket, Phi Phi and Krabi. As the Andaman Sea has a large inlet/bay area offering some protection from these unpredictable weather conditions. This allows divers to access these excellent dive sites all year round so even if we cannot take you to the Similan Islands aboard our liveaboards we can still arrange some fantastic diving for you.

Gulf of Thailand

High Season

The Gulf of Thailand high season is typically May to October. Again this is considered the dry season with the areas affected being those from Koh Samui, Koh Tao and including the famous dive sites Sail Rock and Chumpon Pinnacle. During this season you can expect also usually calm seas, warm sunny days and water and air temperatures averaging around 29C/85F.

More about Gulf of Thailand Dive Sites

Low Season

The low season for the Gulf of Thailand is generally November to April, again the water and air temperatures remain around a balmy 29C/85F however possible high winds, periods of rain from 10 minutes to all day and unexpected high seas bring about the “low season” period. There is still diving on offer in this period and often excellent diving however you must be prepared for less than perfect weather conditions should you wish to dive during this time.