Similan Diving Safaris is a western managed PADI 5 Star Dive Center located in the heart of Khao Lak, Thailand and we are an official MARES retailer.
Similan Diving Safaris has 15 years experience specializing in Liveaboards to the amazing Similan and Surin Islands, Bon & Tachai Islands and the world famous Richelieu Rock . We are also diving the Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar (Burma) since 2012 where you can experience some of the best scuba diving in the world.
In 2014 PADI Asia Pacific proudly recognised Similan Diving Safaris for 10 years of outstanding services.
We offer a full range of PADI courses in our 5 Star Dive Center: Discover Scuba, Open water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Emergency First Response, Rescue Diver and Divemaster.
The courses are available in all major European languages.
Khao Lak, Thailand is only 70 km north of Phuket airport and is an excellent relaxing location as a departure point to the best scuba diving in Thailand: the Similan Marine National Park.
The Similan Islands are situated only 60 km west from the main land.
Khao Lak is the closest point Thailand has to offer to the Similan Islands.
Our PADI 5 Star Dive Center is located on Nangtong road in Khao Lak. (Nangtong road, the only road to the Beach).
We start your scuba course with 2 days of theory (book & DVD) and swimming pool skills made in the pool here in Khao Lak, these teach you the standard rules and principles of diving also underwater hand signs. The theory part of the course is done in our Dive Center with A/C class rooms for your comfort.
In the pool you will do some of the basic skill training with your instructor to get you ready for your open water dives, this means you have more time for enjoyment, relaxation and diving in the Similan Islands.
This takes 1 day theory and 1/2 day swimming pool training in Khao Lak before departure for the Similan Islands, on our live aboard cruising all the amazing Similan Islands and then north to Koh Bon Island famous for manta rays, Tachai Island, one of Thailand's best dive sites, (Surin Islands, only Similan Explorer) and heading on to the famous Richelieu Rock, with a chance to see a Whaleshark.
These are the courses that are the most fun and the most challenging for divers (mainly done in our dive center and the beach in Khao Lak)
You need to be trained in CPR and First Aid either with Emergency First Response (EFR) or other organization, and this needs to be current (within the past 18 months).
If you need to do the EFR course you will be taught to the highest standards, adding to your confidence and ability to respond.
There are both knowledge development and practical training sessions that will take place in the classroom, swimming pool and open water over a period of 2 days, based in Khao lak (please add an extra day for the EFR course if required).
The theory topics covered are:
The Psychology of Rescue
Preparation for a Diving Emergency
Accident Management
Responding to Diving Emergencies
The practical training covers basic things again like Cramp Removal, Tired Diver Tow and Use of and Alternate Air Source. In addition we teach you how to respond to problems such as irrational and panicking divers both at the surface and underwater, how to correctly respond from the boat or shore, surfacing, perform rescue breathing and regress with an unconscious diver and throw in a couple of scenarios for you to practice your skills
