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Dive Review of Sea Bees/Palm Garden Khao Lok in
Thailand/Andaman Sea

Sea Bees/Palm Garden Khao Lok, Mar, 2007,

by Bob Sivak, ca, usa . Report 3257.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments Went to Thailand to see the renowned Similan and Surin Islands during whale shark season. Overall disappointing trip due to poor visability and zero whale sharks. Sea Bees dive center has a very user friendly website with tons of info. I booked a 3 day "north tour" aboard their liveaboard M/Y Genisis and did 2 day trips from their Kao Lok based day boats. The M/V Stingray is a nice catamaran able to hold about 45 divers. We dove 27 divers going to Similan island #9. The mostly German guides were knowledgeable and friendly. After a 3+ hour ride (each way) we did 2 dives with 90 minute surface interval. A green algae bloom is all over the Andaman Sea right now. Guides say they have not seen visability this bad. Tons of fish at all sites, but I found the coral to be a bit on the thin side. The next day I went on the M/Y Runaway to the "Boonsung" wreck. About 90 minutes each way this time and 2 tanks. This was by far the most monchromatic wreck I have seen as it was covered in silt. The only item of interest was a couple of crocodile fish. This day was a complete waste of time and money. The "North Tour" included Richleau rock and Koh Bon. Every site in the Surins had at least 8 other packed liveaboards at them. Again, the viz was terrible. I found Richleau to be rather unremarkable. Beside a couple of ghost pipefish, not that interesting. Koh Bon salvaged the liveaboard portion producing a few large mantas. It also had a very nice reef. But with the crowds it reminded me of Molokini crater. The M/Y Genisis was a simple but nice liveaboard, especially for $600. The Palm Garden resort in Khao Lok was also simple but nice. Tasty food and friendly staff. Given the travel time from the west coast, long boat rides, the overall cost and medicore diving, I don't think I'll go back anytime soon.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving CA, HI, Mexico (pacific), Carribean, Philippines
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, rainy, dry Seas calm, currents
Water Temp 80-83°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 10-30 Ft/ 3-9 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions 50 bar and 30 meters
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments M/Y Genisis had a good charging station and inside camera table.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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