Travel. Explore. Dive.

Immigration was a slow and fairly steady affair into Phuket - not exactly what we were hoping for after a reasonably long journey. Collecting our bags and exiting the airport was all straightforward and expeditious after immigration though.

We were greeted by the very friendly Anna, one of the dive guides, just outside the exit. We piled into a pleasant air conditioned van and off to the Tab Lamu pier to board our home for the next 7 nights, the Deep Andaman Queen (DAQ).

Thus named because of her adventures throughout the less travelled sections of the Andaman Sea, the vessel is very spacious and thoughtfully designed.

The boat briefing, conducted by the cruise director Steve, is comprehensive and thorough. The DAQ we are told, isn’t like the majority of dive liveaboards, in that she has a large dive deck at the stern of the vessel, rather than tender boats/ dhonis. There is a rubber ducky/ skiff launched as backup when diving, but this is seldom utilised.

Settling into our cabins (Quad share, Twin Share and Deluxe Double), we discovered the ensuite bathrooms quite big and the rooms well equipped. Bedding is comfortable and the noise from the engines minimal. All in all a very good night’s sleep.

As we set sail overnight to the Similian National park, the Thai crew onboard set off fire crackers to ward off evil spirits and bring us good fortune for our voyage. 

It appears to have worked - the crossing to the Similian’s was very smooth, and day dawned on the Monday to very flat seas and a sunny day.