Thailand's complete scuba diving information source: dive centres, dive courses, dive equipment, dive sites
Bangkok Hospital Phuket has a permanent ambulance stationed in Khao Lak which serves the area. Tel. 1719
The nearest recompression chambers are those on Phuket. For details click here.
Facilities in and around Khao Lak
How to get there
Khao Lak can be reached directly by road and indirectly by air. Phuket, the main gateway to the area... Read more...
Where to eat
The majority of local hotels and resorts have their own eateries with international and local menus... Read more...
Dive facilities
Scuba diving here is very popular and to cater for the high demand and there is a string of dive centres... Read more...
Dive trips
Both daily trips and multi-day liveaboard excursions visit the sites around Mu Koh Similan and... Read more...
Dive courses
The full range of dive courses following PADI and SSI diver training... Read more...
How to get there
Khao Lak can be reached directly by road and indirectly by air.
Phuket, the main gateway to the area, is a 90-minute drive away. Phuket’s international airport is directly accessible from most neighbouring countries, or via Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Domestic flights are also scheduled between Phuket and Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport.
By air: A few budget airlines serve the Bangkok–Phuket route but their timetables change regularly. There are also direct flights between Koh Samui and Pattaya.The three main carriers are:
Bangkok Airways: Within Thailand, Tel. 1771; from outside Thailand, Tel. +66 (0)2 265 5678.
Nok Air: Within Thailand, Tel. 1318; from outside Thailand, Tel. +66 (0)2 900 9955.
Thai Airways International: Tel. +66 (0)2 356 1111.
By bus: VIP air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal daily to the bus terminal in Phuket City. Trip time is around 14 hours. At Phuket City bus terminal visitors may continue their journeys by taxi or local bus, unless a pick-up by their dive operator has been arranged. For further information on bus services contact Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal: Tel. +66 (0)2 435 1199, (0)2 435 1200.
Where to eat
The majority of local hotels and resorts have their own eateries with international and local menus. However, those wishing to sample the local fare outside of these will find a range of worthy bakeries, restaurants, coffee shops and snack bars along the main highway running parallel to the beach.
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For best information and insight on where and what to eat, see Pocket Guide FOOD Thailand − launching first quarter of 2011 − and its online version, www.foodguidethailand.com |
Dive facilities
Scuba diving here is very popular. To cater for the high demand there’s is a string of dive centres along the main highway, many of which have booking offices or their own facilities in the larger hotels and resorts. Several centres provide their own, or can arrange, transfers to and from Phuket and Krabi.
Dive trips
Both daily trips and multi-day liveaboard excursions visit the sites around Mu Koh Similan and Surin Marine National Parks as well as the local wrecks and the Mergui Archipelago. All trips include transfers to and from resorts, tanks, weight system and Divemaster services, light refreshments and beverages. Day trips include lunch.
Dive courses
The full range of PADI and SSI programmes, up to and including the professional level of Instructor, are available and in several languages. Prices generally include instruction, study materials, equipment, dive trips and certification. The in-water sections of the courses can be completed during day trips or amalgamated with a liveaboard excursion. The majority of internationally-recognised certifications are accepted in any of the dive centres; certification cards and log books will be requested as proof of certification and experience.
For further information on Khao Lak, contact Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel. +66 (0)76 212 213, (0)76 211 036.
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