THAILAND DIVE & ADVENTURE RETREAT
2023
Trip Overview
Join us and other like-minded travelers on this one-of-a-kind dive and adventure retreat in the beautiful islands of Thailand. Whether you are already a diving fanatic or want to dive for the first time, this trip is perfect for you. Get your Open Water or Advanced Open Water qualification inclusive in this retreat or you can come simply as a fun diver soaking up the sun and the warm, clear blue waters of the Thai Islands. As well as the diving, explore Thailand's ultimate travel highlights with us, including staying in overwater bungalows in Khao Sok National Park and partying the night away at the world-famous Full-Moon Party on Koh Phangan. We will finish off with a mega 3 day/3 night liveaboard, diving in the Similan Islands which is renowned for being one of the best diving locations in the world! For all diving and adventure lovers, it doesn’t get better than this.
Trip Highlights
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Experience Thailand’s buzzing capital Bangkok including The world-famous Khao San Road.
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Become a certified diver.
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Take part in an exhilarating Trapeze experience.
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Snorkel Thailand's clear blue waters.
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Enjoy a relaxing yoga session.
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Party the night away at the world-famous full moon party.
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Spend the night in an overwater bungalow.
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Kayaking and cave hiking adventures.
and on the extended retreat:
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Stay on a liveaboard and dive at one of the top 10 dive locations in the world.
ITINERARY
DAY ONE (28TH JAN):
📍 Location: Bangkok
📝 Itinerary: Upon arrival in Bangkok, you will be greeted by an awesome member of the team before being taken to your accommodation to get settled. We will have a group welcome dinner and head to Khao San Road to kick-start our trip as Leo Dicaprio did in 'The Beach'.
DAY TWO (29TH JAN):
📍 Location: Bangkok
📝 Itinerary: Explore the swarming city of Bangkok, including the crazy Khao San Road, the world-famous floating market, visit a couple of Thailand's many beautiful temples, and have a delicious street food lunch. In the evening we will then take an overnight sleeper train southbound starting our journey to the islands.
DAY THREE (30TH JAN):
📍 Location: Koh Tao
📝 Itinerary: Ready for island life? After waking up on the train in Chumphon, we will jump on a ferry and head to the gorgeous island of Koh Tao. We will relax and get our bearings and have our orientations for the diving qualifications we will be doing before watching the iconic sunset on Sairee beach. We're starting island life in style with dinner at one of the best restaurants in Koh Tao.
DAY FOUR (31ST JAN):
📍 Location: Koh Tao
📝 Itinerary: aaand let the diving begin!! We will kick-start the day with a nutritious breakfast before getting started on our diving. After a busy day of either fun-diving or working towards your qualifications, we will have a nice relaxing dinner in the evening.
DAY FIVE (1ST FEB):
📍 Location: Koh Tao
📝 Itinerary: We will begin the day with a yummy breakfast and then commence the second day of diving (+ certification day for our advanced & rescue divers 🏅). We will all unite in the evening for a delicious group dinner.
DAY SIX (2ND FEB):
📍 Location: Koh Tao
📝 Itinerary: Dive Day 3 (+ certification day for our Open Water divers🏅) so tonight we will celebrate the full group being qualified divers by heading over to the Koh Tao trapeze show (where we will get the chance to try it for ourselves) followed by dinner and drinks.
DAY SEVEN (3RD FEB):
📍 Location: Koh Tao - Sail Rock - Koh Phangan
📝 Itinerary: We're waking up at the crack of dawn, but for a very good reason, we're off to Sail Rock, a world-famous dive site between the islands of Koh Tao & Koh Phangan. We will enjoy two dives at this sensational dive site before heading directly across to Koh Phangan where we will be settling into our new accommodation and where you're free to relax or explore to your heart's content. Don't get too carried away as tomorrow will be a wild one!
DAY EIGHT (4TH FEB):
📍 Location: Koh Phangan
📝 Itinerary: Koh Phangan babyyy! This island has it all, tropical jungles, white-sand beaches, local markets, dreamy snorkel spots & more. Enjoy a free day in Koh Phangan and explore everything that this fantastic island has to offer. You could hire a scooter, get some work done in one of the many co-working spaces or simply kick back and relax in a hammock on a beach. We will unite in the evening for a nice team dinner.
DAY NINE (5TH FEB):
📍 Location: Koh Phangan
📝 Itinerary: Phew! It's been a busy week of diving and you deserve to let your hair down, so tonight, we will be heading to the famous full moon party on Haad Rin beach! In the morning, we will do a spot of snorkeling to see the fishes of Koh Phangan, then we'll have some free time to get lunch before we start getting ready for an evening of dancing, and glow-in-the-dark body paint! We will have a group dinner along with an open bar at the hostel before traveling to Haad Rin beach for the party itself.
DAY TEN (6TH FEB):
📍 Location: Koh Phangan
📝 Itinerary: We know you may be feeling a bit hungover, so enjoy this day at your own pace. The full moon party can get pretty crazy so there's no pressure to do anything today. Whether you want to sleep or relax on the beach, the day is yours. We will have a group dinner in the evening as usual.
DAY ELEVEN (7TH FEB):
📍 Location: Koh Phangan - Surat Thani - Khao Sok National Park
📝 Itinerary: This morning we are commencing our journey into the magical Khao Sok National park; we will travel via Surat Thani and then by boat to our overwater bungalows. You can choose to spend the afternoon as you wish, whether that's joining a guided hike through the caves, kayaking, swimming in the emerald green waters, or all of the above. It's completely up to you! We will then enjoy an evening boat safari spotting wildlife, followed by a fresh Thai dinner. We will end the night stargazing from our own private floating bungalows.
DAY TWELVE (8TH FEB):
📍 Location: Khao Sok National Park - Surat Thani - Khao Lak
📝 Itinerary: We will enjoy breakfast with a view and an early morning safari before we have some free time to go swimming or kayaking on the lake. After a delicious lunch, we will cruise back to land, but for those attending the liveaboard, the fun doesn't stop there as we will be heading straight over to Khao Lak to board our boat and start our journey to Similan Islands. If you're not joining us for the liveaboard, unfortunately, we will say goodbye to you today and private transfers will be arranged for you to Surat Thani.
If you're just doing the liveaboard & chill, you will be joining us at an arranged location in Khao Lak on the 8th Feb.
DAY THIRTEEN (9TH FEB):
📍 Location: Similan Islands
📝 Itinerary: We will wake up at sea and have breakfast before commencing a full day of diving. We will be heading to Koh Bon West Ridge, and Tachai Pinnacle before finishing the day at Tachai Beach and dinner on the boat.
DAY FOURTEEN (10TH FEB):
📍 Location: Similan Islands
📝 Itinerary: Wake up once again in your boat cabin before kicking off another full day of diving. We will be spending the day at the famous Richelieu Rock (one of the best dive sites in the world!) before enjoying another dinner on board the boat.
DAY FIFTEEN (11TH FEB):
📍 Location: Similan Islands
📝 Itinerary: Our final full day onboard the boat - we will be heading to Koh Bon Pinnacle and the Boon Sung Wreck before returning back to the mainland for a farewell team dinner. 😥
DAY SIXTEEN (12TH FEB):
📍Location: Similan Islands
📝 Itinerary: Departure day. We will have breakfast at our accommodation and then private transfers will be arranged for you to either Phuket or Surat Thani.
The itinerary of this trip has been carefully constructed and is provided in good faith and whilst we hope that we will stick to it, diving is a weather-dependent activity. a drastic change in weather is unlikely and not expected but it is a possibility and important to consider. appropriate amendments will be made to ensure the safety and comfort of guests in these circumstances.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
accommodation
All accommodation included. We will be staying in a range of shared dorms, hotel rooms & bungalows.
Activities
All activities listed in the Itinerary are included from sunrise yoga to the Trapeze show & lots of scuba diving, of course.
TRANSPORT
Taxis, shuttles, sleeper trains, ferries &
other transport options.
FOOD
Two meals per day.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
THESE BITS YOU'LL HAVE TO DO YOURSELF BUT WE'LL BE ON HAND TO HELP AND ADVISE!
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
You are responsible for arriving in Bangkok on the arrival date and traveling back to your home country (or onwards in Thailand) from Phuket or Surat Thani.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Whilst dive insurance is included on the tour, you will still need to obtain your own travel insurance for the duration of the trip in Thailand. This is mandatory and a copy of your policy will be required for submission along with a waiver form.
VISA
Thailand doesn't always require a visa for entry but it is advised that you check your local government website. It is your responsibility to obtain any visas that you may require for your trip.
most but Not all meals and drinks are included on the trip. You will also have some free time to explore and buy souvenirs. We RECOMMENDED THAT YOU BRING at least 300 USD OR EQUIVALENT as spending money for the duration of this retreat.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
✓ You love scuba diving or you're keen to try it for the first time.
✓ You want to learn new things and step outside of your comfort zone
✓ You enjoy partying and nightlife.
✓ You like meeting new and like-minded travelers.
✓ You're 20-35, adventurous individual, looking for an escape (it's no problem if you're outside of this age range but expect the majority to be within this age bracket).
ACCOMMODATION
- Hotels
- Hostels
- Overwater bungalows
- Boat
Prices are based on the sharing of rooms and single members of the group will be put together. Private accommodation upgrades are available upon request.
Bryan Roseman
Bryan was a bit of a party guy when he was younger. In fact he was one of the pioneers of the silent disco concept and toured some of Europe's biggest festivals with his previous company Headphone Disco. Following his lifelong dream of owning his own dive school on a tropical island, he's now the proud owner of La Bombona Diving. Oh, and did we tell you he used to be an opera singer?
Taniesha Walker
Taniesha is the Executive Assistant at Backpacking Bananas, and an Influencer marketing nerd & travel fanatic. She's backpacked around South East Asia & Australia and knows how to have a fun time. Taniesha will be your best friend on the trip, and will always be there to lend a helping hand & ensure you're comfortable and having the best time possible throughout this experience of a lifetime.
Christianne Risman
Solo female traveler and entrepreneur, Christianne has backpacked across the globe, sumitting Kilimajaro, working in Oz and NZ, and becoming a Rescue Diver and Freediver, all while successfully building a career on YouTube over the past 7 years. Christianne loves every part of backpacking life and thrives off sharing new experiences and helping others to step outside their comfort zone.
FAQ
TRIP LOGISTICS
Dive Retreat - 16 Days (With Liveaboard)
ARRIVE BANGKOK: 28th January 2023
DEPART PHUKET/SURAT THANI: 12th February 2023
PRICE?
£2,200 (£600 deposit required to secure your space).
The remaining amount will be due by 28th November 2022.
SOLD OUT
Dive Retreat - 12 Days (Without Liveaboard)
ARRIVE BANGKOK: 28th January 2023
DEPART SURAT THANI: 8th February 2023
PRICE?
£1,300 (£400 deposit required to secure your space).
The remaining amount will be due by 28th December 2022.
SOLD OUT
Liveaboard & Chill
ARRIVE KHAO LAK: 8th February 2023
DEPART PHUKET/ SURAT THANI: 12th February 2023
PRICE?
£900 (£300 deposit required to secure your space).
The remaining amount will be due by 28th November 2022.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@backpackingbananas.com
Check out La BombOna Dive School!
Do I need to be a qualified diver to attend the liveaboard and chill trip?
Yes - you are required to be at least Open Water qualified to attend the liveaboard. We will be visiting intermediate dive sites whilst on the liveaboard and so we advise that you only attend if you are comfortable and confident in your driving abilities.
Do I need to be a qualified diver to attend the full trip?
No. If you've never dived before then you will be doing your Open Water dive qualification which is the entry-level to get you scuba diving. If you already have your Open Water, you can complete your Advanced Open Water. If you already have a dive qualification and you do not wish to progress, then you can enjoy the retreat as a fun diver. We've put together a fun dive package including all the best dive sites around Koh Tao.
We recommend that you only join the Liveaboard portion of the retreat if you have dived before, you're confident in your diving abilities, and you will be comfortable staying on a boat for 3 nights.
Will all the equipment be provided?
Yes. All dive equipment will be provided including wetsuits and masks.
Will transfers from the airport be included?
Yes. If you are flying into Suvarnabhumi Airport, transfers will be provided upon arrival in Bangkok. You will be collected from the airport by either Bryan, Taniesha, or Christianne who will be holding up a snazzy sign. If you are not flying into Suvarnabhumi Airport, you will need to make your own way to the hotel on the arrival day.
At the end of the retreat, shuttle transfers will be included to Surat Thani (and Phuket for liveaboard guests) so that you can continue on your travels in Southern Thailand as you please or make your own way back to Bangkok. Please note, that transport back to Bangkok is not included.
Who will I be sharing a room with?
All rooms will be shared in a dormitory-style. We will happily honor requests on whom you would like to be roomies with throughout the trip. There is the option to upgrade to private accommodation at an additional cost. This is something that can be discussed after securing your place.
Is this suitable for solo travelers?
Of course! We encourage solo travelers on this trip and we expect a majority of travelers will be coming solo so don't let it put you off attending.