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For the best-value diving to Thailand’s best dive sites, there is very little to be beat Blue Dolphin, a new triple-engine speedboat operating out of Khao Lak. Not only are the prices among the lowest, the time to reach each of the best dive sites in Thailand is also almost unbeatable. Blue Dolphin is far from ‘no frills,’ though. It’s just that some people just want to get out to the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai or Richelieu Rock and do no more than dive, and that’s it. Pick up from local hotels and resorts, plus lunch and drinking water are included in the price, and the high-quality diving equipment rental prices are among the lowest for Similan diving.
However, it’s not just about high speed and low cost. Blue Dolphin is a new speedboat that is capable of transporting up to 24 snorkellers or 17 divers in comfortable safety. The three 225 hp four-stroke motors ensure reliable, odour-free, and quiet performance every day of the week.
Many of our guests choose to dive on multiple days from Blue Dolphin, simply because the boat visits different spots one day after the other. This includes three days per week at Thailand’s best dive site, Richelieu Rock, two days at the Similan Islands, a day at Koh Bon, and a day at Koh Tachai & Koh Bon.
Blue Dolphin Prices & Schedule
| Blue Dolphin Diver Prices Overview 2018 / 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destinations | Duration | Per diver | |||||
| Koh Bon, ( 2 Dives) | 1D | Per diver139 USD | |||||
| Similan Islands, ( 2 Dives) | 1D | Per diver139 USD | |||||
| Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, ( 2 Dives) | 1D | Per diver145 USD | |||||
| Richelieu Rock, ( 2 Dives) | 1D | Per diver151 USD | |||||
Blue Dolphin Itinerary
Each day's itinerary is very similar, with only the location of the dive sites different from one day to the next.
Guests are picked up from Khao Lak hotels and resorts from 7.30am to 8.45am, depending on the location of the pick up. Hotels to north of Khao Lak get picked up last and dropped off first after the trip, and therefore these guests spend less time travelling. Transfers from Phuket are not possible. In fact, even guests who want to come by themselves from Phuket are advised not to. Staying in Khao Lak is the only reaslistic option.
A light breakfast (coffee & snacks) is served before departure.
At the end of the day guests are dropped off at their chosen location in Khao Lak.
The itineraries below are the most-common for each trip, but these can sometimes be changed for a number of reasons. Small changes are made due to weather & sea conditions, special marine life sightings, overcrowded dive sites, local-authorities' instructions, and the needs & requests of the paying guests. The safety & comfort of all guests is most important at all times.
| Itinerary Name (click the itinerary name to open) | Days / Nights | Number of dives |
|---|---|---|
| Richelieu Rock | 1 Days / 1 Nights | 2 Dives |
| Koh Bon | 1 Days / 1 Nights | 2 Dives |
| Similan Islands | 1 Days / 1 Nights | 2 Dives |
| Koh Bon, Koh Tachai | 1 Days / 1 Nights | 2 Dives |
Blue Dolphin Facilites, Layout and Specifications
Blue Dolphin Courses
Taking part in a diving course at the Similan Islands is the best place to advance your diving level, or even learn to dive in Thailand. Blue Dolphin is a clean, fast, stable and new speedboat which can transport divers and snorkellers out to Thailand’s best diving sites. Where better to take part in a PADI or SSI Advanced or Nitrox course? In addition, those who have never dived before can join the boat trips and take part in a Discover Scuba Diving two-dive day trip. And those who have decided to ‘take the plunge’ can learn to dive on Thailand’s west coast by taking part in a PADI or SSI Open Water Diver course while enjoying speedboat trips to the very best places to enjoy diving in Thailand.
The table below is a list of the most popular courses on Blue Dolphin, but please let us know if there is something which you are interested in but can’t see.
| Courses | |
|---|---|
| Courses | Prices |
PADI or: PADI or SSI referral / e-learning | N/A Contact us |
EFR & Rescue | N/A Contact us |
Discover Scuba Diving** (1 Day) (2 Dives) | 193 USD |
Scuba Review Day Trip (1 Day) (2 Dives) | 193 USD |
SSI: Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN 32) (1 Day) (2 Dives) | 332 USD |
PADI: Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN 32) (1 Day) (2 Dives) | 377 USD |
SSI: Advanced Adventurer (2 Day) (5 Dives) | 452 USD |
PADI: Advanced Open Water Diver (2 Day) (5 Dives) | 498 USD |
SSI: Open Water* ** (3-4 Day) (4 Dives) | 513 USD |
PADI: open Water Diver* ** (3-4 Day) (4 Dives) | 558 USD |
Prices are inclusive of materials, equipment, National Marine Park fees, local hotel pick up and food & drinks throughout the day.
*Open Water diving students need to complete what is known as ‘confined water’ sessions before diving in the open sea. These sessions take place in a pool, or sometimes on a calm & shallow beach. The confined sessions are to learn and practice basic diving skills such as maintaining buoyancy and understanding commands, but without distractions of waves, depth or water currents. At any time, the students can stand up out of the water and talk to their instructor. These confined water sessions are part of both PADI & SSI courses and give the divers more confidence to enjoy longer and safer dives in the sea.
** Some dive sites such as Richelieu Rock are deep submerged pinnacles, and therefore unsuitable for novice or new divers. Not only are the depths of the reef deeper than new divers can reach, there are usually water currents which increase air consumption and shorten dives.
Please note that there is almost no difference in what is taught, learned or practiced when comparing PADI and SSI diving courses. The difference in price is due to PADI giving every student a diving manual and sending the (PIC) Personal Identification Card direct from their headquarters. Both PADI & SSI certified divers are free to enjoy diving around the world in each other’s dive centres, so there is no concern about being turned away by an SSI or PADI centre for having the wrong brand of diving license.
Blue Dolphin Transfer details
Ideally, divers check in the day before a day trip to finalise payment and process paperwork and equipment fitting, but this is not always necessary.
In the morning guests are collected from local hotels and resorts and taken directly to the pier. After each diving day trip, they are returned to their hotel, resort or other chosen location.
Blue Dolphin Scheduled Transfers 1D Trips | |
|---|---|
| 07:35 - 08:40 | Pick up from Khao Lak : Free |
| 09:00 | Departure ( Baan Nam Khem Pier, Khao Lak ) |
| 15:30 | Return ( Baan Nam Khem Pier, Khao Lak ) |
| 15:30 - 16:30 | Drop off to Khao Lak : Free |
Genuine Blue Dolphin Reviews
Blue Dolphin Reviews
