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Dive Review of South Siam Divers/South Siam 3 in
Thailand/Similan Islands

South Siam Divers/South Siam 3, Nov, 2013,

by Wellington, DC, US (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 7 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 7450 has 1 Helpful vote.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 2 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 3 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 3 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Good: The Similans are unusual destination as the underwater topography involves granite slab, boulders and formations. Dramatic swimthroughs with towering angular rocks. Richeleu Rock was an incredible U shapped multi-pinnacle formation, that I would describe as "Poseidon's throne room" drenched in soft corals, large fields of anenome, and swarms of fish (inlcuding large groupers) engaged in predator/prey behavior - for me a World Class dive and absolute must do here. Macro sightings featured Sea Goblins, Nudis. one group saw a whale shark, and reports of mantas the week earlier. One beach excursion with a hike to Sail Rock.

Bad: The reefs, in exception to Richeleu Rock, were in terrible shape. Piles of dead rubble and bare coral heads, with a few spots had nice soft corals and gorgonians. The night dives were fairly uneventful. Currents can be strong. Sites often had 2-4 liveaboards on them. Trips were guided only, I came back with over 1000 PSI on many dives. Our freelanced DM for a portion of the trip, while technically competent, was new to the sites and therefore did not ID anything, or know where he was going.

The Boat: I paid $300 a night including base rate, fees, tips. On South Siam 3, the staterooms are not good, the worst I've had since Blackbeards (maybe worse). They smelled musty, with nasty lampshades, gross plastic fiber weave carpeting, and cheap linens. (good ac though). No towels, bring your own. Bathrooms are shared but fine. In light of these spartan accomodations, it's a little pricey IMO. The lounge deck is spacious and comfy, food is delicious thai/western, and the boat staff is very good. Dive Operations and Logistics are excellent. With transfers to and from Patong included and flexible scheduling, South Siam might be your best/only option. The rooms are bad though and not at all luxurious.

In Short: If you can get dives at Richeleu Rock and on the Similans (Koh Bon was not as good) it's worth at least one trip.
Websites South Siam Divers   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Sipadan, Cocos Island, Maldives, Honduras, Belize, Bahamas, Cozumel, Florida Keys, Bonaire
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy, currents
Water Temp 82-82°F / 28-28°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 50-80 Ft/ 15-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Guided group diving only. 30M max depth
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 2 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Boat has a Large designated camera rinse tank. Dive deck is crowded, with one table used as a mess area for crew in the middle. Not ideal for SLR shooters. No SLR shooters/pros on staff. Room had plenty of sockets. I was shooting a gopro, therefore fine.
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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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