Phuket live-aboard recommendations

I am considering a trip to Phuket. What months are the best to see the
whale sharks? How good a chance is their to see then? Most every trip,
50% of the time, etc. My main reason to dive this area would be the
whale sharks. How long a trip and what area in particular do you
recommend? I am looking for a photo / video friendly boat that will
not break the bank. Any recommendations here? If I make the trip how
much more time should I allow and what should I not miss in visiting
Thailand? Thank you, Dale

On 14 Nov 2003 18:03:31 -0800, dawhale@pacbell.net (dawhale) wrote:

>I am considering a trip to Phuket. What months are the best to see the
>whale sharks? How good a chance is their to see then? Most every trip,
>50% of the time, etc. My main reason to dive this area would be the
>whale sharks. How long a trip and what area in particular do you
>recommend? I am looking for a photo / video friendly boat that will
>not break the bank. Any recommendations here? If I make the trip how
>much more time should I allow and what should I not miss in visiting
>Thailand? Thank you, Dale

Check out: http://www.westcoastdivers.com/

I dove with them and had a great time. Don't know about the whale
sharks but an E-mail to them may well get you your answer. Prices are
on the web site.

When I was in Thailand about eighteen months ago, we were told that whale
sharks had become quite rare on the west coast due to harvesting of them by
Taiwanese fishing operations that sold the meat as "white tofu." The folks
on Ocean Rover told us that they rarely see whale sharks anymore.

There is a higher probability of sighting whale sharks on the east cost but
the rest of the diving there is not particularly good.

Chris

"dawhale" <dawhale@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:bb91d950.0311141803.302ca291@posting.google.c om...
> I am considering a trip to Phuket. What months are the best to see the
> whale sharks? How good a chance is their to see then? Most every trip,
> 50% of the time, etc. My main reason to dive this area would be the
> whale sharks. How long a trip and what area in particular do you
> recommend? I am looking for a photo / video friendly boat that will
> not break the bank. Any recommendations here? If I make the trip how
> much more time should I allow and what should I not miss in visiting
> Thailand? Thank you, Dale

"white tofu." Your pulling my leg right ? Dale

I wish that I were. I was repeating what we were told by the photo pro on
the Ocean Rover. That is, there is now a commercial market for whale shark
meat and it is sold under the product name "white tofu." Taiwanese fisherman
are doing the harvest.

Chris


"dawhale" <dawhale@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:bb91d950.0311171841.2ab97a99@posting.google.c om...
> "white tofu." Your pulling my leg right ? Dale

I'll also throw in a recommendation for WestCoast Divers been with them 3
times and look forward to returning in the new year!

Say hello to Milton and the crew for me

--
Paul A. Henry

<tunafish@shitonspam.pattayalovers.com> wrote in message
news:MYudnTLkwd4OTiuiRVn-hQ@net1plus.com...
> On 14 Nov 2003 18:03:31 -0800, dawhale@pacbell.net (dawhale) wrote:
>
> >I am considering a trip to Phuket. What months are the best to see the
> >whale sharks? How good a chance is their to see then? Most every trip,
> >50% of the time, etc. My main reason to dive this area would be the
> >whale sharks. How long a trip and what area in particular do you
> >recommend? I am looking for a photo / video friendly boat that will
> >not break the bank. Any recommendations here? If I make the trip how
> >much more time should I allow and what should I not miss in visiting
> >Thailand? Thank you, Dale
>
> Check out: http://www.westcoastdivers.com/
>
> I dove with them and had a great time. Don't know about the whale
> sharks but an E-mail to them may well get you your answer. Prices are
> on the web site.
>