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YOUR DIVING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
From experience here at Colona Diving and Tours we have encounted many questions in the past and there is always simple answers!
Please take time to read over this page that we have compiled to help you. You may just find what you're looking for!
If you find that you question is not fulfilled then please contact us by email colonadt@loxinfo.co.th we will be more than happy to help.
If you feel that perhaps we have missed out any essential information that may prove useful to someone else then please let us know and we will happily add this in.
We also have added in USEFUL LINKS section this covers Travel Services, Tourism Services an Foreign Exchange Rates
TOPICS COVERED ON THIS PAGE INCLUDE
- How do I get to Phuket?
- Can you arrange to pick me up from the airport?
- Where is Colona Diving & Tours located?
- What is the weather like in Phuket?
- What should I bring with me?
- What shall I NOT bring with me?
- If I forget anything does Thailand have sufficient shops?
- Can I access the ATM machines / Cash Points in Thailand?
- What can I do with my excess baggage?
- Can I rent any diving equipment?
- Can I dive with NITROX?
- What types of tanks are on board?
- I can't find my certification card can I still dive?
- I haven't dived for a while can I do a dive before I go on the boat?
- If I need any accommodation can Colona Diving & Tours help me?
- How I get to the boat?
- Do I get a dive guide?
- What about the food, do you cater for special diets?
- Can I obtain drinks and alcohol on board?
- Do you recommend that I use a Dive Computer?
- Do I need to wear a wetsuit?
- Will I have access to any electricity power on the boat?
- Are there any activities for non-divers?
- What is included in the price?
- What about the health system in Thailand?
- Do I really need insurance?
- What happens if I have an accident during the cruise?
- Where is the nearest Hyperbaric Chamber?
- Can I be contacted on the boat in case or emergency?
- What can I pay for on my cruise by Credit Card?
- What is the crew tipping policy?
Back to Top How do I get to Phuket?
Many flight operators fly direct to Phuket or alternatively to Bangkok.
From Bangkok you can fly or take to bus to Phuket. Please check the link below for further details on internal travel.
If you are not flying direct then we strongly recommend that you arrive to Phuket at least one day before the boat's departure. This way you will be able to rest and acclimatise.
If you are planning to arrive Phuket on the departure day, then please try and arrive on the island by 16:00.
Click on this link for more details on Travel Services
Can you arrange to pick me up from the airport?
Yes we can arrange a complementary transfer for all of our liveaboard customers. Just let us know your flight details in advance.
Where is Colona Diving & Tours located?
Currently in Cahlong; Colona Diving & Tours, 42/14-15 Moo 5, Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83130, Thailand Tel: 076 281382 - Fax: 076 281385.
Back to Top What is the weather like in Phuket?
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate all year round.
Phuket has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 29 degrees Celsius almost all year round.
The dry season is normally between November - May (High Season) here you expect an average air and water temperature of 30C. During the June – October (Low Season), the air and water temperature little but changes. The seas are a little rough with rains at times. Please check out the table below for further details. Or click on the weather link for up to date details.
WEATHER NOW IN PHUKET
This is how Phuket's weather has faired over the past few seasons:
MONTH |
Weather Conditions |
JANUARY |
Hot, sunny a little wind with clear waters |
FEBRUARY |
Hot, sunny and dry with mirror clear waters |
MARCH |
Hot, sunny and dry with mirror clear waters |
APRIL |
V.hot, sunny and dry with mirror clear waters |
MAY |
Very hot sunny and humid with a few showers |
JUNE |
Sunny, with intermittent rain and strong wind |
JULY |
Sunny, with intermittent rain and strong winds |
AUGUST |
Windy wavy, some sunny spells with little rain |
SEPTEMBER |
Windy, wavy some sunny spells more rain |
OCTOBER |
Sunny, hot with a little wind, slight chance of rain |
NOVEMBER |
Sunny, hot with a little wind |
DECEMBER |
Sunny, hot with a little wind |
Back to Top What should I bring with me?
Your diver certification card, insurance policy, sunscreen, toiletries, swimwear, shorts, t-shirts, sunscreen a lightweight jumper.
What shall I NOT bring with me?
Try not to over pack. You will not need a dry suit or that extra pair of fins! However any excess baggage can be left at our office.
If I forget anything does Thailand have sufficient shops?
Yes, in Phuket and Bangkok you will be able to buy just about anything. In Phuket Town there is a large department store and even a BOOTS pharmacy (UK brand).
Phuket also has retail dive suppliers.
Can I access the ATM machines / Cash Points in Thailand?
Yes you can there any many machines located throughout Phuket; here you can access Maestro, Cirrus, Visa, and MasterCard.
If you have any queries on any other cards, then please contact you local bank.
What can I do with my excess baggage?
You are most welcome to store additional baggage at our office.
Back to Top Can I rent any diving equipment?
Yes you can rent diving equipment from us. A full set of equipment is US$ 20 per day and computer rental if required US$ 6 per day. Torches are Free of Charge.
Can I dive with NITROX?
If you have booked your dive cruise with Colona VI there is NITROX on board. Our certified gas blenders mix this on the boat. Cost per tank is US$ 6.
What types of tanks are on board?
All of our boats have 12 litre aluminium tanks on board with the yoke type K valve.
If you are using a DIN type regulator, please bring a DIN adaptor with you. Alternatively you can rent or buy one here. If you require a different size tank then this will be on request. Please contact us for further details.
I can't find my certification card can I still dive?
Yes you can if you are a PADI diver we can check your details online, all we need from you is your full name as it appeared on your card, and your date of birth. If you are certified with another diving organisation then please let us know.
I haven't dived for a while can I do a dive before I go on the boat?
Yes we would highly recommend this. If you arrive the day before you can do something called a Scuba Review, here you will be with a Dive master or Instructor. They will run through some of you maybe forgotten essentials steps of diving and make you feel more confident in the water. Please contact us if you would like to arrange this before your trip.
Back to Top If I need any accommodation can Colona Diving & Tours help me?
Yes we can, we can recommend some accommodation to you. Just let us know your specifications and we will come up with a list of suitable accommodation for you. Once you have made your choice we can arrange the booking for you here.
How I get to the boat?
If you are staying on Phuket Island then we will pick you up free of charge. Just let us know your flight details / hotel details.
Do I get a dive guide?
Yes you do. Our dive guides are all highly proficient Instructors very experienced in the area. Before each dive there will be a detailed dive briefing with a map of the site.
If you are a buddy team and would prefer to dive together then please see you dive guides onboard.
What about the food, do you cater for special diets?
The food served on board, is a mix of Thai / Western food. This is served buffet style with snacks served in between dives. If you have specific food diet then please let us know in advance so we can cater for you.
Back to Top Can I obtain drinks and alcohol on board?
Yes you get drinking water, tea, coffee and milo inclusive in the price. For an additional cost drinks such as Coca Cola, Fanta etc are available onboard. Alcohol is also available, (but not until after your last dive of the day!)
There is an honesty system in place here, each dink taken much be marked on a sheet and then it is totalled up an\t the end of each trip and paid for pay cash or credit card.
Do you recommend that I use a Dive Computer?
Yes absolutely, due to the multi-level type of diving that you will do, diving with out a computer and using Dive Tables with limit your diving. Therefore you may miss out on that Manta Ray or swim through! Please note there is NO DECOMPRESSION diving on any of our boats and NO SHARING OF COMPUTERS.
Do I need to wear a wetsuit?
As the average water temperature is approx. 29 C we recommend at least a 3mm shorty. However doing multiple dives over a period of days you may feel a chill, a hood may suffice this or a 5mm suit.
Will I have access to any electricity power on the boat?
Yes all of our boats have electricity outlets 220 V, 50-60Hz for charging torches and cameras. If you forget any adaptors then they can be purchased in Phuket.
Back to Top Are there any activities for non-divers?
Yes when the location is available non-divers can go swimming, snorkelling and sometimes a visit to the beach. We have a good selection of books and games available on all of our boats and CD / VCD / DVD system on Colona VI and Nautica. Please feel free to bring a selection of your favourite CD's or DVD's.
What is included in the price?
Free transfer from the airport, accommodation on board, all meal, snacks, fruit, drinking water, tea, coffee, milo, weights & weight belts, tanks, torches, towel, dive guide / instructor.
What about the health system in Thailand?
The heath system here Phuket is excellent with three modern clean international hospitals. There is nothing much to worry about, normal precautions with food and drink should keep you fit and well. It is not advisable to drink the water. Stick with bottled water. Please check with your local doctor for the necessary vaccinations.
Back to Top Do I really need insurance?
Yes absolutely we strongly recommend that you have your own dive insurance such as DAN. Once on board you will be required to sign a liability waiver release before departure. We also recommend cancellation / curtailment insurance.
If you have insurance already please check to make sure that it is up to date.
For details on diving, tour cancellation/interruption insurance please check out the following web sites below;
DAN USA: www.diversalertnetwork.org
DAN EUROPE: www.daneurope.org
DAN ASIA PACIFIC: www.danseap.org
DIVE ASSURE: www.diveassure.com
http://insuremytrip.com (for individual)
http://insuremygroup.com (for group over 9 people)
Back to Top What happens if I have an accident during the cruise?
Although our cruises operate in sometimes-remote locations, passengers need not to worry for the lack of medical facilities in the event of an emergency.
Our experienced crew is Medic First Aid trained.
Colona Diving & Tours management can be contacted by the crew 24 hours a day via satellite communication.
All our boats and crew are equipped with detailed emergency procedures to ensure rapid evacuation from the boat when necessary. We are an affiliated member of the SSS Hyperbaric Chamber in Patong, Phuket.
Our Medic First Aid kit on board all of our boats holds extensive medical supplies, including oxygen.
If you take any special medication please make sure that you have sufficient supplies during your stay in Thailand.
Where is the nearest Hyperbaric Chamber?
There are three Hyperbaric Chamber on Phuket. . Colona Diving & Tours is an affiliated member of the SSS Hyperbaric Chamber in Patong, Phuket.
Can I be contacted on the boat in case or emergency?
Yes Colona VI and Nautica are fitted with satellite communication equipment.
Back to Top What can I pay for on my cruise by Credit Card?
You can pay for your selected cruise, your drinks bill, t-shirts, nitrox tanks, and PADI courses. Things that you cannot pay with your credit card: crew tips.
Please note that there will be a 3% charge for any payments taken by credit card.
We also regret that we no longer accept Traveller Cheques, this is due to the local banks not accepting them as a third party. You can however exchange them for local currency at exchange counter or bank. You can also use the ATM / Cash Point machines to with draw cash.
Please note if you are entering the Similan / Surin Islands there is a charge of 26 US$ per person paid locally on the boat PAID LOCAL CURRENCY.
What is the crew tipping policy?
This really up to you and should be given voluntary based on the quality of service provided by our crew. Once onboard all of our boats you will notice how hard the crew works together and how safety and enjoyment relies heavily on their professionalism and attitude. Many of our guests give a gratuity based on 10% of the cruse price or more, but again we stress this is up to you!
Please note that tips can only be paid in cash.
Back to Top USEFUL LINKS
Travel Services
Internal Flight Operators
Bangkok International Airport web page http://www.airportthai.com
Internal Train Operators
Bus Operators
Back to Top Tourism Services
Foreign Exchange Rates
DO YOU HAVE ANY A|OTHER QUESTIONS?
If so please feel free to contact us e-mail: colonadt@loxinfo.co.th
We look forward in speaking to you soon. Back
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