From: Phuket (Thailand)
Whale Sharks Dive Safari in Thailand
1/41
9 days
Crew: 8
9 people
Private cabin
Full board
Sailing tour introduction
Whale Sharks was started by Marine Biologist and Conservationist Kirsty Magson to assess and monitor the population of whale sharks around Koh Tao and the surrounding area. After the success of the project and with over 280 positively identified individuals found, Koh Tao Whale Sharks became Thai Whale Sharks.
The goal of Thai Whale Sharks is to build on this success and begin to monitor and map the movement of individuals, understand more about their habitat use and time at location, and distribute a code of conduct and learning resources for businesses that interact with these animals.
What's special about this special trip?
We have designed this itinerary to maximize our chances of seeing whale sharks in Thailand. Most importantly, this is your chance to meet Kirsty and ask all the questions you may have about these gentle giants.
Sailing Cruise Itinerary
**This is a sample itinerary. The actual itinerary may be adjusted by the captain or the service provider due to weather conditions or other reasons.
Day
1
Phuket
We have designed this itinerary to maximize our chances of seeing whale sharks in Thailand. Most importantly, this is your chance to meet Kirsty and ask all the questions you may have about these gentle giants.
Day
2
Koh Tachai Pinnacle
Koh Tachai Pinnacle is a very lively dive site: besides whale sharks and manta rays, we can see schools of barracudas, giant trevally, bluefin trevally, sweetlips, batfish, and tunas in the blue. At Koh Tachai, you will have the choice between a sunset dive or a black water dive (optional +500 THB). Afterwards, enjoy a fantastic barbecue.
Day
3
Koh bon
Koh bon is a well known cleaning site for Manta Rays and the site most frequented by them in Thailand. There is also a good chance to spot a Zebra Shark on the pinnacle.
Day
4
Hin Daeng
Hin Daeng and Hin Muang (Red Rock and Purple Rock), located not far from the Malaysian border, are amazing dive sites offering steep walls, big fish, and colorful soft coral. Both mantas and whale sharks are sighted there regularly, along with many smaller pelagics such as tunas, schools of jacks, barracudas, and leopard sharks.
Day
5
Hin Muang
Hin Muang, also known as Purple Rock, is a renowned dive site near the Malaysian border. It's famous for its stunning underwater scenery, featuring steep walls covered in vibrant purple soft corals. Divers frequently encounter a variety of marine life, including manta rays, whale sharks, tunas, schools of jacks, barracudas, and leopard sharks. The site's rich biodiversity and striking coral formations make it a must-visit destination for diving enthusiasts.
Day
6
Koh Haa
Koh Haa is more famous for its massive cavern systems (in which you can even see massive stalactites.
Day
7
Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock is one of Thailand's most famous dive sites, renowned for its incredible marine biodiversity and vibrant underwater landscapes. Located in the Andaman Sea, this submerged pinnacle is adorned with colorful soft corals and attracts a wide array of marine life. Divers can often spot whale sharks, manta rays, large schools of fish, and an abundance of macro life such as seahorses and harlequin shrimp. Its rich ecosystem and dramatic scenery make Richelieu Rock a must-visit destination for divers.
Cruise Boat Details
13
Model
Power
Cabins
8
Year/Refit
2009
Bathroom
8
Power boat 25m (2009)
Model
Power
Cabins
8
Year/Refit
2009
Bathroom
8
Occupancy: 2 guests per cabin
0% due at reservation
Free cancellation within 3 days
Cruise Price Details
Price includes
- Full accommodation and board (Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon bites, Dinner)
- All soft drinks, drinking water, fresh coffee & tea
- Fresh fruits, yogurt & snacks all-day
- 12 L scuba tank, Weights & Weight Belt - Free Nitrox :for the whole cruise - Free Blackwater dive
- PADI Professional Dive Guide (for up to 4 divers)
- up to 18 Dives
- Towels, reef-friendly amenities
- Sea kayak and hammock
Price does not include
- . COMPULSORY IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN:
- PERSONAL INSURANCE (General Travel insurance is highly recommended)
- Computer rental 300 THB/day - Equipment rental 600 THB/ day . OPTIONS:
- 15L Tank 300 THB / day or 1,500 THB for the whole cruise
- Private guide 3,000 THB/day .
- COURSES:
- PADI Courses
- Photographer private coaching . Transfers to and from the boat on-demand (prices) . Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes . Gratuity/ tips (1000 THB / day /pers is common practice)
Good to Know
Read useful information about this charter
Location
The departure base depends on the sailing dates you select.
Check-in / Checkout
Check-in: Saturday from 12:00
Check-out: Saturday until 16:00
Accommodation
Private cabin
Private cabin for 2 guests. If the cabin is booked for 1 guest only, a single accommodation surcharge will apply.
Crew
The sailing tour from Phuket is operated by a professional crew of 8: captain, chef or hostess, and additional crew.
The captain of the Power is responsible for: the safety of guests during Whale Sharks Dive Safari in Thailand, handling of the Motor boat, navigation and adjusting the itinerary according to weather conditions.
Meal Plan
Full Board
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the price. Meals are prepared by the chef and served onboard of the yacht. Soft drinks are included during meals.
Alcoholic drinks can be purchased on board of Power at an additional cost. Guests are not allowed to bring their own alcohol on board.
If you have food allergies or intolerances, please inform us in advance so the crew can take them into consideration.
Options & Fees
Optional Extras
Available at additional cost:
- 9D Marine Park Fee: 4000 THB / person: $122
- Computer location/day: $9
- Full gear rental per day: $18
- BCD + Regulator rental by day: $15
- BCD or Regulator alone by day: $8
- Other gear piece per day: $5
Sailing Itinerary & Weather Conditions
Whale Sharks Dive Safari in Thailand is planned in advance; however, the itinerary may be adjusted depending on weather conditions, port availability, and the captain's safety decisions.
The captain may modify the route or change the order of stops to ensure a safe and comfortable sailing experience on board of Power.
Payment & Cancellation
No-obligation reservation (3 day hold).
No payment is required until the booking agreement is signed.
Payment terms:
- Down payment: 30%
- Balance: due 60 days before departure
- Extras: payable in advance, at least 60 days before the charter
Cancellation policy:
- 30% of the charter fee is retained for cancellations made 61 days before departure
- 100% of the total charter fee is non-refundable for cancellations made 60 days or less prior to the charter
Payment and cancellation terms are provided for reference only. Final terms are defined in the booking agreement.
Customer reviews
How customer reviews and ratings work
We use the Average with Prior (also known as Bayesian Average) to calculate the total rating for each sailing cruise
Since new cruises could have very few reviews, each review can significantly impact the average score, potentially leading to misleading representations of the total score (e.g., one very positive or very negative review skewing the overall rating). To mitigate this, we use a "prior" or "default" score.
This means that each cruise, by default, starts with a rating of 4, which is calculated from 5 hypothetical reviews, each rated 4. This assumption provides a baseline level of performance that is neutral-to-positive.
For example, if a new cruise receives a 5-star review, the total rating will be adjusted to 4.17. Here's how it is calculated: (4 × 5) + 5 = 25 and then divided by the total number of reviews 6 (5 default + 1 actual review), resulting in 4.17
As more reviews come in, the weight of the actual reviews increases, and the influence of the prior diminishes.
