Sea Bees Diving Phuket: Trips, Season & What to Ask

Featured image: edwin.11, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Sea Bees Diving Phuket: The Short Answer

Sea Bees is a dive company with its own instructors and boats, according to Sea Bees' official site. Its Phuket base is at Chalong, and day trips there run all year. Khao Lak trips to the Similan Islands run only while the national park is open. From Phuket, the Similans mean an overnight liveaboard of roughly 8–10 hours. This guide is independent and does not sell trips. Operator-specific claims below are attributed to Sea Bees.

What Sea Bees Offers and Where It Operates

Dive centers operate in Phuket, Khao Lak and Nai Yang, with trips to Phi Phi and the Similans. Its offer falls into three groups. Dive plans last about 1 hour, according to Sea Bees. Maximum depth is 30 m, or 40 m with the right qualification. Minimum surface interval is 1.5 hours. Groups cap at 4 guests per guide and are formed by experience and air consumption.

• Day trips: a minimum of 2 dives, with 3–4 dive days also offered from Phuket.
• Courses: separate course pages for Phuket, Khao Lak, Phi Phi and Nai Yang.
• Liveaboards: 3 day/2 night and 6 day/6 night trips covering the Similans, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock.

Phuket Day Trips vs the Similans: Which Fits You

Speedboats reach the sites fast but offer little space and a rough ride in waves. Larger day boats add seating, a sundeck and toilets, but most take about 3.5 hours to reach the Similans. According to Sea Bees, its MY Sundancer catamaran makes the run in under 2 hours. Base yourself in Phuket for flexibility and year-round diving. Go via Khao Lak for the Similans without nights on board. Choose a liveaboard when site access matters more than comfort.

When to Dive: Season Calendar

West-coast diving is best from November to April, according to Sea Bees. Seas are most stable then and all sites are open. Prices and crowds also peak. Water stays 26–29°C all year, and a 3mm shorty is the standard rental suit. Low season brings higher humidity and short daytime showers. Sea Bees reports visibility and current similar to other months, with fewer boats at the sites. Park dates conflict across Sea Bees' own pages. One says the Similans close from 15 May to 15 October. Others say open November to April, or November to mid-May. Confirm current dates with Thailand's national park authority or the operator before you book.

What Affects the Cost and What to Ask in a Quote

Prices and hours checked November 2026 on Sea Bees' own pages. Its price tables did not load, so no trip fare is listed here. Three add-ons are published. Nitrox costs ฿250 per tank on day trips and on the MC Stingray, and it is free on the Marco Polo liveaboard. A private guide is ฿2,500 per day. Hotel transfers are included from Kata, Karon and Patong. Other areas pay a surcharge. Equipment is not included on day trips or liveaboards unless a package covers it. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

• Trip type: day trip, 3–4 dive day or liveaboard.
• Gear: full rental set, plus a DIN adapter if your regulator needs one (tanks use INT valves).
• Nitrox: per-tank surcharge or included.
• Private guide: per-day charge.
• Transfer zone: included or surcharged for your hotel.
• Park fees: ask whether they are in the quote.

Getting There and Getting Around

Phuket day trips include hotel transfers from Kata, Karon and Patong. Nai Yang sits in the north near the airport, between Chalong and Khao Lak, per Sea Bees. Khao Lak is about 60 km north of Phuket. Most Similan boats leave Tap Lamu pier, a few minutes south of Khao Lak. The islands lie about 50 km offshore. Liveaboards from Phuket leave in the evening and sail through the night, usually 8–10 hours. Kata, Karon and Patong suit anyone wanting included transfers. Nai Yang suits quiet beaches and an easier run to Khao Lak.

Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai: Is a Liveaboard Worth It?

Richelieu Rock is reachable only by liveaboard. Boats stay a full day, so you can dive every side of it. Per Sea Bees, whale shark season runs about February to April. Old guarantees no longer apply, and no operator can promise a sighting. Koh Bon lies 20 km north of the Similans, with mantas reported from January to May. Koh Tachai sits 40 km north. Its Twin Peaks pinnacle starts at 12 m and can run strong currents, so it suits advanced divers. Nine islands make up the Similans. Islands 1–3 are closed to visitors, and islands 4–9 are open. Liveaboards fit certified divers who want up to 4 dives a day, usually 3 day dives plus 1 night dive. Casual divers or anyone prone to seasickness may prefer Phuket day trips.

Safety and Operator Checklist

Sea Bees states that its day boats have 2 engines and carry on-demand emergency oxygen. It also says staff hold oxygen and first-aid qualifications, and that guests get automatic accident cover. Ask any operator for the same detail in writing. Divers Alert Network publishes dive-safety and insurance guidance. Compare answers across operators with our full list of local operators.

• What is the minimum surface interval between dives?
• How many guests does each guide take?
• Is emergency oxygen on board, and who is trained to use it?
• How many engines does the boat have?
• Is dive accident insurance included, or do you need your own?
• How do they confirm your certification level and recent dive history?

Non-Divers and Dive-Free Days

Non-divers can join some Sea Bees day trips, but not all suit swimming or snorkeling. Racha Yai, Racha Noi and the Phi Phi islands are the best bets, per Sea Bees. Beach snorkeling works at the rocky northern and southern ends of some beaches. Phuket also offers viewpoints, temples and quieter beaches for dive-free days. That mix is a real advantage over remote dive bases.

Other Phuket Dive Operators to Compare

Compare operators on the same criteria: group size, boat type, guide ratio, equipment and transfer policy. Love Diving's profile is one place to start. Merlin Diving's profile gives a second set of answers. All 4 Diving's profile covers a third. Put the same quote questions to each before choosing.

Choosing a Sea Bees Trip by Experience Level

First-time divers should ask about a Discover Scuba session or beginner course before choosing a full day boat. Phuket day trips run year-round and include at least 2 dives. They are usually the simplest fit for visitors who want flexibility.

Certified beginners should confirm the planned depth, current and guide grouping. Sea Bees says dives are planned for about 1 hour, with a maximum group of 4 guests per guide. Racha Yai, Racha Noi and Phi Phi can also suit a non-diving companion who wants to snorkel.

Advanced divers can ask whether a liveaboard itinerary includes Koh Tachai or Richelieu Rock. Koh Tachai’s Twin Peaks starts at 12 m and can have strong current. Richelieu Rock is liveaboard-only, while Similan liveaboards from Phuket take roughly 8–10 hours overnight.

For a Phuket low-season stay, ask which local sites are running on your dates. Phuket day trips continue while the Similan park is closed, but the park closure dates should be confirmed before booking.