Diving Adventures in Thailand: Aqua One

Aqua One brings a new dimension to the prospect of live-aboard diving in Southeast Asia. With a length of 35 meters and a beam of 6.5 meters, she was specifically designed and built to accommodate a party of up to 16 divers in the comfort of 8 staterooms.

From November through to May of each year M/Y Aqua One operates in the Andaman Sea which is recognized as being home to many of the world's top dive sites. She cruises Thailand's prime diving destinations from Red and Purple Rocks, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Ha Yai south of Phuket, north to the Similan Marine National Park, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Surin Marine National Park. Extended trips are also made to Myanmar's Mergui Archipelago, the Burma Banks and India's remote and pristine Andaman Islands. During the months of June to October Aqua One is based in Bali for cruises to visit some of Indonesia's top dive destinations - Komodo National Park, Rinca, Flores, Alor and more.

Guests will find complete facilities for the serious and discerning divers ranging from roomy dive deck and easily accessible dive-platform, camera stations to automatic E-6 processing. Amenities and facilities include fresh towels daily, coffee/tea making station, individually controlled air-conditioning in each stateroom, and even shampoo, soap and bath-rope are provided.

The vessel is crewed by experienced local and international staff and her operations managed by people with long experience in cruise ships and hotel management who, needless to say, are themselves dedicated divers.

Accommodations:
Aqua One was conceived and built to meet the needs of a serious diver who demands a superior level of accommodation and lifestyle. She has been specifically designed for tropical living with air-conditioned and open-air lounges and a sun deck for guests to enjoy the fresh air of the tropical seas. A great deal of attention to details went into the design and construction of the staterooms and living areas to ensure that those on board enjoy a fine style of living. Aqua One's twin, 1250 HP Cummins engines effortlessly provides for flexible and extensive charter itineraries, allowing divers to fully experience some of Asia's finest diving in comfort and safety.
Aqua One has accommodation for 16 passengers in 8 staterooms. Two double and two twin cabins on the main deck, 2 twin cabins on the forward lower deck and 2 more twin cabins on the aft lower deck, all with private head and shower. All rooms are fitted with standard queen or twin sized beds, carpeted and tastefully furnished. Facilities include piped-in music, reading lights, wardrobe, hair-dryer and plenty of storage space.

Thailand
Thailand situates about 14 degrees north of the equator with over 2,000 kms. of coastline and literally hundreds of offshore islands. The variety of marine life found around the coast is phenomenal and underwater scenery encompasses everything from extensive fringe reefs to deep water drop-offs. Hard and soft corals reefs abound, as does spectacular creatures such as manta rays, whale sharks, frog and ghost-pipe fish.

The main dive base in Thailand is Phuket. However, the better dive sites in the Andaman Sea can only be reached by live-aboard dive boats.

Extending from the Mergui Archipelago in the water of Myanmar, south towards the Malaysian peninsular, there are over thirty world class dive sites within cruising distance for the Aqua One. These sites typically include Koh Phi Phi, Red and Purple Rocks, the world famous Similan Marine National Park, Koh Surin, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Burma Banks, High Rock, Little Torres, Okay Rocks, Black Rock, North and South Twins in the Mergui Archipelago.

Average visibility in the Andaman Sea ranges from 50 ft. over 100 ft. with the usual dive depth from around 60 ft. to 100 ft.. Water temperature is a warm 85-90 degree fahrenheit.

Diving in Thailand is possible all year round but the best time to dive is from November to the end of May.

For more information on any of our Great Diving Adventures & Dive Travel Vacations in Thailand, contact us today!

All photos courtesy of Aqua One