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Dive Review of
Warm Water Divers/Felix Karon Hotel in
Thailand/Phuket/Similans

in 2003/01
an Instant Reader Report
by
Carl Scott, TX, USA
Report Number 354

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N/A means "Not Applicable" or "No Answer" given

Reporter
Dive Experience
101-250 dives
Where else diving
 Palau, Costa Rica, Caymans, USVI, Belize, Cozumel 

Dive Conditions

Weather
sunny  
Seas
calm  
Water Temp
81   to 82    ° Fahrenheit  
Wetsuit Thickness
0
Water Visibility
60   to 80    Feet  
 
Dive Policy
Dive own profile
yes  
 
Enforced diving restrictions  
They request you stay with group or a buddy.  Dive time limited to ensure
ample surface interval for subsequent dives, but typically reached no-deco
limit within that time, anyway.  
Liveaboard?
no 
Nitrox Available?
N/A 
What I saw
Sharks
1 or 2 
Mantas
None 
Dolphins
None 
Whale Sharks
None 
Turtles
> 2 
Whales
None 
Ratings 1 (worst)- 5 (best):
Corals
  5 stars
Tropical Fish
4 stars  
Small Critters
  3 stars
Large Fish
2 stars  
Large Pelagics
  2 stars
 
 
Underwater Photography  1 (worst)- 5 (best):
Subject Matter
4 stars  
Boat Facilities
4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's  
4 stars  
Shore Facilities  
N/A  
Comments
Large rinse buckets were provided, along with ample room on all boats for
safe storage between dives, though no dedicated table/area for cameras. 
Overall rating is boosted by subject matter, as evidenced by my results
(groups.msn.com/scottdiving).  Would have been a 5 with more macro stuff. 
Low diver-to-guide ratios made it easy to take your time with great photo
ops.  
Ratings and Overall Comments  1 (worst)- 5 (best):
Accommodations
4 stars
Food
4 stars
Service and Attitude
5 stars
Environmental Sensitivity  
N/A
Dive Operation
4 stars  
Shore Diving  
1 stars  
Snorkeling
N/A  
 
 

Overall Rating

Value for $$
N/A    
Beginners
3 stars   
Advanced
5 stars    
Comments  
First of all, Warm Water Divers owns no boats.  They are an agent that
contracts with several reputable dive operators in the area.  Nonetheless,
they are very reliable, offer extensive destination options each day, and
take their fee from the operator instead of the client.  

Dived with Siam Adventure Tours in the Similans (they get the award for
the best boats and service, incuding on-board marine biologist), Santana
Divers (good operation, but most staff a bit stuffy), and Euro Divers (not
the nicest boat, but great and fun staff who know how to find the critters
for their clients).  When one operator had a problem, Warm Water
immediately contacted me to make arrangments for an alternate the next day
and cheerfully refunded the price difference.  All operators had no more
than 4 divers per DM, and I had my own private guide on more than one
occasion.

The Similans offered the most consistently good diving, with impressive,
healthy reefs of various hard and soft corals so thick you couldn't see
rock in many areas.  Vis always good.  Phi Phi islands were also great,
with excellent diversity.  King Cruiser wreck was a bit disappointing, with
30' (or worse) vis, but some interesting creatures.  Anemone Reef and Shark
Point are must-do's, because of the healthy reefs and abundant life.

Thailand's Andaman Sea is a great value on some world class diving.  It
should be on everyone's wish list.  Food is CHEAP, hotels are many and can
be quite reasonably priced.  Service is overall some of the best you'll
find anywhere. 

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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. It is presented here to provide Undercurrent readers with timely information on dive operations worldwide. The material may contain errors, typos, ... Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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