Dive Review of Samui International Divers/Samui Natien in
Thailand/Gulf of Thailand

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Samui International Divers/Samui Natien, Sep, 2002, by Carl Scott, TX, USA ( Contributor 16 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 208.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	My expectations were not high, because I knew that the best diving in Thailand is on the other side of the penninsula. Diving was good, but not spectacular. Vis was typically in the 40-60' range due to nutrient rich waters, though the marine park area is much worse (as little as 15' on one dive). Magnificent anenomes literally blanketed the reefs in most areas, with large numbers of anenome fish and anthias schooling about. Saw Weaver's butterflyfish, Blue ringed angels, and bannerfish on nearly every dive, plus some that weren't in any books that I could find. Numerous nudibranchs. The dive operation left much to be desired. While they generally ran a structured and safe operation, I was allowed to dive solo on nearly every dive (I lagged behind taking photos, and they never came looking for me or acted concerned when we passed later in the dive). This may be due to my certification and experience, but, if not, is very negligent. Lunch was always delicious Thai cuisine, and there was plenty of it. Breakfast is provided on the big boat, but it's just toast and bananas, with tea and instant coffee. They pick up all clients at their hotels each morning and drove them to the dock. On my first day, I instantly saw a table where everyone was to sign in. However, after doing so, I was not given any further information and finally, when hearing the announcement that the boats were leaving, had to ask someone who looked like they knew their way around which boat I should get on. She turned out to be my divemaster. Things went more smoothly the next few days. Then, on the last day, they failed to pick me up. I eventually got concerned and asked the hotel to drive me to the dock, arriving just in time to see the boat pulling away from the pier. There was no one left at the dock to radio the boat, and another operator said that they operated on a proprietary frequency. The shop reluctantly offered to process a refund for one day's diving at some time within the next couple of weeks, flat refusing to run the refund through their credit card POS terminal or refund in cash. I found out at that time that I was supposed to have been given a schedule upon arrival, but it was still in my file in the office. It would have reflected that they forgot to schedule me for the last day's diving! Bottom line is that, while I wouldn't be concerned about diving with these folks again, their service was marginal, at best, and their apologies were non-existent. The icing on the cake was the $50 video CD that I bought, which, despite repeated assurances otherwise, wouldn't play in my DVD player.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	101-250 dives
Where else diving	Cozumel, Little Cayman, Costa Rica, Flower Gardens, St. Croix, Palau
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	choppy
Water Temp	84-86°F / 29-30°C	Wetsuit Thickness	0
Water Visibility	15-60 Ft/ 5-18 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	After the first dive, I was allowed to dive away from the group and as long as my computer would allow in most cases (except once, when staying down longer on the first dive would make for a too short surface interval when the group re-entered for the 2nd dive).
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	There was no dedicated rinse bucket for cameras, either on the boats or on shore. One of the boats had no rinse bucket at all. Neither had a camera table or other area for cameras. Photographers were essentially ignored.

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Dive Review of Samui International Divers/Samui Natien in Thailand/Gulf of Thailand

Samui International Divers/Samui Natien, Sep, 2002,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Samui International Divers/Samui Natien in
Thailand/Gulf of Thailand