Phuket Diving Safaris

Where is Khao Lak?
Our dive shop is located in Khao Lak, a small town about one hour's drive up the coast from Phuket. It's a very chilled out town with several bars and restaurants, a good range of hotels for all budgets, and a nice beach. We ca pick you up from Phuket Airport or any hotel in Phuket and bring you to our dive shop in Khao Lak for your liveaboard.

If you want to make your way to Khao Lak on your own, please scroll down for directions below the maps - it's pretty easy!

Map Of Khao Lak, Phuket and the Similan Islands

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Detailed Map of Khao Lak, showing location of our dive shop and local hotels

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[click here to browse and book Khao Lak hotels online]

Map Of Khao Lak's location within Thailand

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I want to make my own way to Khao Lak. How do I get to your dive shop?

Please take a look at the detailed map of Khao Lak.

If you arrive on the bus from Bangkok or Surat Thani, you will get off the bus opposite the Nang Thong Supermarket. (Look for the big red square at the top of the map).

Next to the Nang Thong Supermarket is the Beach Road. The Phuket Diving Safaris dive shop is 200 metres down the road. If you arrive at the beach... you've gone too far! Look for the big sign saying "Similan Diving Safaris" and the rasta manta logo

If you get a taxi from Phuket or Krabi, ask the driver to take you to the Beach Road, and look out for the Nang Thong supermarket to make the turning.

Khao Lak has only got two roads - the main road parallel to the coast and the beach road which unsurprisingly goes down to the beach.

If you get lost, please call our shop manager Nute on 089 5900588 - it's her cellphone, so you can contact her anytime.

What bus do I need to catch from Bangkok / Surat Thani / Phuket?
Any travel agent on Khao San Road on Bangkok can book you a seat on the overnight bus from Bangkok to Phuket, which stops in Khao Lak. Travel time is around 10 hours.

Similarly, any travel agent in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao can book a bus ticket for you from Surat Thani to Khao Lak.

We suggest you book at least a day in advance and ensure that you will arrive in Khao Lak by 4pm on the day of your departure.

How much does a taxi cost?
A taxi costs 1100 Thai Baht from Phuket Airport to our shop in Khao Lak. It is 1500 Thai Baht from a Phuket hotel to our shop in Khao Lak. (Phuket is a big place!).

How will I recognise my taxi driver at Phuket airport or the hotel?
The taxi driver we send to collect you will have your name on a placard at the airport and will be waiting for you in Arrivals. For hotel pickups, we will arrange a time for our driver to come and collect you from hotel reception.

Can I get a domestic flight from Bangkok to Phuket?
Yes, you can book tickets online with AirAsia.com and BangkokAir.com

What if I am delayed or miss my flight and/or my pickup time?
Call us on 089 5900588 (cellphone) to let us know the situation and we will try to work it out for you.

How long does the liveaboard last?
The liveaboard is for 4 days and 4 nights. The liveaboard departs at 6.30 in the evening and travels through the night to the Similan Islands. Diving begins first thing in the morning, with four dives on the first three days and then 2 dives on the fourth day. You can read more about a typical liveaboard day on our Similans Liveaboards page.

What time do we get back?
We finish our last dive around 12pm and then arrive back at the dive shop in Khao Lak around 4.30pm. Please note we cannot guarantee our return arrival time due to weather conditions.

Where should I stay after the liveaboard?
Most of our guests prefer to stay in Khao Lak on the night they come back from the liveaboard and then transfer to Phuket Airport the following day. We can also arrange a taxi to transfer you into Phuket the evening you come back from the liveaboard - it's up to you.

We recommend you have accommodation booked in advance for the night you come back from the liveaboard. We can help you with cheap guesthouse accommodation in Khao Lak. If you prefer something more luxurious, please see our Khao Lak hotels page. If you prefer to stay in Phuket when you return from the liveaboard, please see our Phuket hotels page.

When can I fly after the liveaboard?
The current recommendation for flying after diving is 18 hours after your last dive. We finish diving on the liveaboard by around 1pm on the last day. This means you can fly from 6am the next morning. It's recommend you leave as much time as ossible before flying after diving - 18 hours is the minimum guideline.

How do I get to Phuket Airport from Khao Lak?
We can arrange a taxi for you. It is a one hour drive from Khao Lak to Phuket Airport and costs 1100 baht.

What else is around Khao Lak?
There is the amazing Khao Sok national park very near by to Khao Lak, where you can go elephant trekking and jungle walking - and even stay overnight in the jungle if you wish. We can help you arrange this when you get here to Khao Lak.

If you did not find the answer to your question, please email us - we'll be happy to help.

Book now to ensure your place on one of our Similan islands liveaboards.

If you have any queries, please use the contact form below to let us know