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Responsible
Dive Travel |
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Blue
Guru Conservation & Diving
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| 7
Nights / 10 Dive Package starts at = 950 Euros
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| Why choose Blue Guru Conservation & Diving?
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| The Diving |
The Accommodation |
REEFsponsible Activities |
Most
of the diving here is around the two islands Koh Pling Yai and Koh
Pling Noi which are situated in a protected bay near to Golden Buddha
Beach Resort. These two islands are fringed with dazzling hard corals
and a variety of fishes. There is also a broad variety of the wildly
colourful and interesting nudibranchs and other macro life.
Richelieu Rock is a striking open sea pinnacle situated 45km off the Andaman coastline and a short ride from the Surin Islands. The central rock at Richelieu is a jutting limestone spire, rising from 50m deep all the way to the surface. There are two more inner columns on either side of the central one; they rise from the depths in a similar fashion. Around this massive arched citadel there is further limestone boulders dotted around providing haven for a multitude of life.
Koh Phra Thong , and Blue Guru Diving, are located only 35 kms south east of Richelieu making this the perfect place from which to launch your diving adventure as they are the closest dive centre to this stunning dive site.
Blue
Guru offers a range of responsible diving options from their Whale
shark program down to coral reef monitoring programs around Golden
Buddah Bay. They have also started a project which explores the maze
underwater formed by the local mangroves, a safe haven for juvenile
fish in the area.
Why not try a visit aboard Winnie, the newest addition to the team; this eco-liveaboard takes you to Richelieu Rocks, one of the best places in the world to spot the glorious whale shark along with other big visitors like manta rays.
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Koh Phra Thong is one of Thailand's last tropical paradise islands with only a few places to stay scattered along 15km of pristine beach.
Golden Buddha Beach Resort
The
Golden Buddha Beach Resort is undoubtedly the premier resort on Koh
Phra Thong. This tropical eco resort has a selection of beautifully
designed homes constructed with a high regard for the local natural
surroundings. These unique houses are generously spaced, each benefiting
from its own large plot of land.
Golden Buddha Beach Resort is set along the Andaman Sea, facing
the setting sun. Each beach house is uniquely designed and comfortably
sleeps between 2 and 6 people. This tropical island resort has only
25 private beachfront and sea view houses; thus, crowds are nonexistent
while peace, privacy, and tranquility are 
guaranteed.
Both exotic and rare wildlife can often be viewed from the comfort
of your own veranda. Hornbills, monkeys and deer are all commonly
seen. The pristine beach remains one of the few nesting sites left
in Thailand for giant leatherback turtles.
Golden Buddah’s environmental policies continue to evolve. They are based on 1) good science, 2) practicality, and 3) guest acceptability. They loose a lot of business by not having air conditioning and hot water, but there are plenty of places for those tourists. Here you opt for healthy food made with fresh, local ingredients served on an eleven km stretch of beach looking out into the blue Andaman Sea.
Homestay
at Baan Lions
Baan Lions is a new village at the north tip of Koh Phra Thong. For an interesting cultural experience, try a homestay visit.
You will be well looked after by your local hosts who will treat you to tasty Thai favourite dishes, with or without chilis!
This is a great way to have a direct positive impact on the local economy, whilst enjoying the real Thailand.
Mr.
Chuoi Bar and Huts
Mr. Chuoi's bar and huts is an excellent budget accommodation option for the intrepid traveller.
Situated close to a private bay, surrounded by nature, with freshly prepared food and an excellent little bar - everyone enjoys their stay with Mr. Chuoi.
Kamping
on Koh Phra Thong
There are some opportunities to camp at Ko Wah's place, near the northern tip of the island.
There is a resort here that has been left idle, but sheltered camping areas, wash facilities and an excellent club house remain. Also it has some of the best beach on the island!
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After experiencing Thailand’s growth in the tourist industry, the team at Blue Guru have developed a strong drive and commitment to sustainable tourism. In partnership with Golden Buddha Beach Resort, they are constantly improving and creating programs to protect Koh Phra Thong and its community. They are one of Thailand’s leaders in adventure tourism and an example to all.
Ecodiving
& Whale Shark Program
Blue Guru Conservation & Diving are an ecotourism activities and diving entity. Previously based in the lively coastal town of Khuraburi they are now based by the beach near Hornbill Hill, within the confines of Golden Buddha Resort. Their passion is for eco-diving and other sustainable tourist practices on Koh Phra Thong. They have seen so many other locations become consumed by pure greed on behalf of tour operators, that they are determined to assist in providing a bright future for this paradise island.
Eco-diving opportunities include the eight day Whale Shark Program. Blue Guru is a registered operator and proud supporter of PADI's Whale Shark Project which provides vital information to a world wide database to help track these graceful creatures and learn more about their way of life.
Blue Guru Diving will be offering periodic eco diving expeditions to explore the underwater world of the mangrove root systems and the seagrass beds. They will also be implementing their coral monitoring programs around Koh Pling in Golden Buddha Bay. They also offer a variety of PADI Eco-specialties and PADI Non-diving marine awareness programs.
Baan
Lion Homestay
The residents of Koh Phra Thong are used to community living, talking and telling stories. As such, they are enthusiastic to show their hospitality to outsiders on vacation; and to hear your stories. The opportunity to share their homes, culture and food with guests from other countries is broadly welcomed.
By participating in the homestay program on Koh Phra Thong, guests to this tropical island will get to try wonderful new foods, learn how to make thatching or a squid trap and gain a greater understanding of these rural Thai communities. In return visitors will be contributing to sustainable tourism by injecting a vital income directly into the local economy at grass roots level. This is important to maintain the survival of these villages allowing them to flourish rather than wither under the ever present encroachment from outside developers.
Golden Buddah Beach Resort
Golden Buddah Beach Resort has lived and breathed ecological and community sensitive hospitality for over 17 years, initially as much by necessity as by design, as they’re located on a remote island with no electric mains and no scheduled boat service.
They have a period of six months with little rain and a lot of sunshine that brings strong interest from international visitors followed by six months of the southwest monsoon with lots of rain and storms. These characteristics lead Lost Horizon Resort Co. Ltd., the developers of GBBR to use simple, low impact construction for the company’s buildings and all residences. The luxury had to be provided by nature, not man.
Buildings were spaced apart and permitted to comprise no more than 12.5% of any one plot. Building heights were restricted to maintain the spacious feel and emphasize the surrounding rain forests. All buildings were constructed predominantly with plantation sourced tropical hardwoods using local Thai craftsmen. As all power has to be generated on sight, it was obvious that big generators and daily transport of large quantities of fuel were going to be both expensive and wasteful. Thus, the use of air conditioning and hot water showers was ruled out. This policy continues to this day.
GBBR hires locally where ever possible. While this might seem altruistic, it is practical and necessary. Currently all the staff at GBBR are from Thailand and 90% are from the island or the nearby coastal villages. In addition, where services are available by local businesses, large or small, we use local.
All of our staff are paid above the legal minim, and their taxes and social insurance are paid for. They all get paid legal holidays and vacation pay. Year around employment to offered to staff who desire it. Training is another important contribution to the staff and sustainable tourism on the island. Training is based heavily on skills for the hospitality industry and English language. In 2007 we brought in a residential English instructor to work with all of our staff. Other training is more specialized such as food management, hygiene, carpentry, diesel engine maintenance, computer usage and sustainable gardening.
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We have teamed up with Blue Guru and Golden Buddha Resort to come up with select diving packages that also include other activities. These are designed to give guests a taste of what Koh Phra Thong has to offer at very special prices.
However, there are a number of different dive and accommodation packages available on Koh Phra Thong. We can custom design any length of stay, number of dives, and type of accommodation to suit your needs, just tell us what you want.
The REEFsponsibles have teamed up with Uniglobe Geo Travel to provide you with all your travel needs, from your front door to the reef.
Contact us for booking, inquiries or any additional information about our projects and how YOU can help.
Back to Koh Phra Thong main...
New
for 2010! The Winnie Eco-Liveaboard option! The Blue Guru
dive boat, Winnie, can now accept guests on overnight trips.
