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Region: Southern Thailand> Province: Satun>Location: Ko Lipe
Ko Lipe sights and attractions
Diving on Ko Lipe - One of Lipe's main attractions
Description
Diving is big business on Ko Lipe, and there are around a half-dozen shops scattered around the island to choose from. When comparing dive shops, it's a good idea to focus on factors other than price: equipment maintenance and ethics should be considerations, too. Many divemasters fritter away evenings at Jack's Jungle Bar (near Sunset beach), making it a good spot for highly opinionated debates and dive information. Some of the better known operations include:
Forra Diving
http://www.forradiving.com
forratravel_diving@hotmail.com
Tel: (089)673 1121 ; (084)407 5691
Located on Sunrise Beach, Forra Diving boasts a friendly coterie of multilingual, experienced instructors. They also offer night diving, PADI courses, and live-aboard diving trips. Snorkelers are welcome to tag along on day trips for only 500B (including lunch & equipment). Ask for Antoine or Natalie –- they've been on Lipe for years. Forra Diving is open from the beginning of November until May 15, and consistently gets great reviews from divers. They also have a few bungalows available, and take reservations from divers only.
Sabye Diving
http://www.sabye-sports.com
info@sabye-sports.com
La Ngu Phone & fax (074) 73 4104
Ko Lipe phone (074) 72 8026
Mobile: (018) 97-8725
Owned and operated by the loquatious Barry, Sabye was the first scuba centre to open on Lipe. Their diving rates aren't the cheapest on the island, but their expertise and quality get them high marks from divers. They offer all-inclusive two or three day packages, plus specialty PADI courses and underwater photography. Barry has been on Ko Lipe for a decade, and is a fantastic resource for all things Lipe. The original Sabye Diving shop is on Sunset beach and a new location has opened at the Bundhaya Resort on Pattaya Beach.
Lotus Dive @ Pooh's
http://www.lotusdive.com
Tel: (074)750345 ; Fax: (074) 750344
info@lotusdive.com
As with everything else at Pooh's, Lotus Dive offers a professional, farang-friendly environment. They offer the full complement of PADI courses, from Discover Scuba all the way up to Divemaster. Group size is limited to a small number on all of their dive trips, and rates include lunch, a late afternoon snack at Pooh's restaurant, and 20 minutes of free Internet time. Diving with Lotus also gets you a 15% discount on bungalows at Pooh's.
Ocean Pro Divers
Tel: (089) 7338068 (Dive shop) ; (081) 572 1324 (Pakbara)
http://www.oceanprodivers.net/
email: oceanprodivers@hotmail.com
Pattaya Beach is quickly moving up-market, but Ocean Pro Divers still maintain rates that should make most backpackers smile. Divers head out to sea aboard the 20 metre boat the M.V. Chalailai, and rates include all equipment and a buffet lunch. Snorkelers are welcome to tag along for only 500B. Ocean Pro can help secure divers a discount on accommodations at Varin Resort, plus will give a discount if you book three days or more of diving. Their website has plenty of info about dive sites near Lipe, and they also have an office near the pier in Pakbara.
Snorkelling on Ko Lipe - a fun day trip
Description
For non-divers still eager to get better acquainted with Lipe's marine life, there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel around Lipe and the surrounding islands. You can snorkel in the water off the beaches and most resorts rent out snorkels and fins (100B each). The water surrounding Lipe is crystal clear, but the boat traffic scares away a lot of the fish near the beach.
Snorkelling trips by long-tail boats to the nearby islands have become very popular, and your odds of seeing creatures like clownfish and anemones are better here. These trips usually include lunch and will take you to four islands -- Ko Jabang, Ko Hin Ngam, Ko Rawi, and Ko Adang. Prices are around 400B/person plus another 100B for snorkel rental. If you have a large group you can book the whole boat for are 1,400B. Dang-Dee Tour Service or Friends Tour can book these for you.
A few of the diving boats can also accommodate snorkelers, and the going rate seems to be 500B for a day trip including lunch -– enquire at Forra Diving or Ocean Pro.