I just received word that the live-aboard schedules and pricing for the 2010 – 2011 season in the Andaman Sea are now available on the Sunrise Divers web site. Sunrise is one of the best places to compare boats, prices and schedules for live-aboard trips around Phuket. If you’re a considering a dive trip to Thailand later this year (current situation not withstanding) then you’ll want to have a look their web site.

I received Sunrise Divers’ April newsletter in the email today, and they’ve got some really good deals on offer for Komodo diving trips. For those that don’t know them, Sunrise Divers is the web site you need to check out for live-aboard dive trips in Thailand, Indonesia or Burma. They list most of the major boats, in all budgets, and their trip prices are competitive with the operators.

Speaking of trip prices, Sunrise is offering up to US$500 off on selected Komodo cruises. To get the best deals, you need to book by 30 April, so you better act quickly. Check the prices and schedules for the Komodo Dancer, Mermaid I and Mermaid II. Although not "on sale", the Moana still offers excellent value for money.

I’ve been somewhat remiss in posting anything about my live-aboard trip through the Similans over the new year. Well, better late than never.

The important work of updating the site’s guide to the Similans is already done, so this will just be an overview of the trip.

This was a seven day, six night cruise aboard the MV Nautica. We departed from the pier in Taplamu up in Phang Nga, which is much better than making the long slog from Chalong on Phuket. We left in the late afternoon and were anchored in Honeymoon Bay in time for dinner.

We followed the typical route up through the Similans to Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and on to Richelieu Rock. I didn’t get to the rock on my first trip to the Similans. It was too early in the year and conditions were too rough. This time, at the peak of the high season, there was no problem getting there, and spending the day there. Of course, with such good conditions, nobody else had any trouble getting there either. There were at least five other dive boats there at the same time. However, the thing about Richelieu is that it’s a really big dive site. Even with five dive boats on the site, you won’t necessarily have to contend with a lot of other divers in the water at the same time on the same side of the rock.

While Richelieu Rock is definitely the star attraction of the Similans, I did have a few other favorites: Koh Bon pinnacle was definitely one of the best sites. You have to dive it at slack tide, as there’s no mooring line and it’s not that big of a site. I also like Elephant Rock. But, the real standout for me was the Boonsong Wreck. A lot of dive guides downplay it, and it’s true that, as wrecks go, it’s not that interesting. However, the wreck is home to amazing array of sea life, including an incredible number of harlequin morays and other distinctive critters. I’m definitely considering returning to Khao Lak again for a few days, just to dive the Boonsong a few more times.