The diving Imagine getting out of bed and finding yourself only a few meters above a coral reef... your "house reef". You can basically just roll out of bed for your morning swim! The reefs of Cambodia are still quite undiscovered, strangely, since they have so much different to offer. From long shallow calm dives, along a thriving reef, full of life, sponges and soft corals to amazing underwater structures, with a great diversity and freshness. Here, you can spend your time, scanning the seabed and the coral reef, just below your homestay, looking for seahorses and other amazing little critters. It is almost like a treasure hunt! It is super relaxing and downbeat. Away from the beaten track of tourists. You will find yourself at home, swinging in the hammocks between dives, and playing jacques cousteau on the local and offshore reefs, with the lovely Norwegian couple, who has made it their passion in life, to create an escape for divers and adventurers alike. And talking about offshore reefs.. you should look forward to the dives on Condor reef or Shark Island (weather permitting). These dive sites are further out to sea, and you can get very lucky out here, spotting sailfish, jumping eagle rays and other remarkable sights, like schooling barracuda. It rocks! Area name / Island name Koh Sdach Island, Kiri Sakor, Koh Kong, Cambodia Nearest airport Phnom Penh (Cambodia) Sihanoukville (Cambodia) Bangkok (Thailand) Season Open: Mid-October to mid-june Closed for Monsoon from mid-june to mid-october Center type Boutique Dive center PADI diving courses Super Cozy and personal homestay Norwegian owners and management Experience level Open water diver or equivalent. Perfect not only for the novice diver, but has excellent dive sites and marine life for the experienced diver as well Minimum age for participation 10 Years
Location Only a couple hours South from the Thailand border, and a short boat ride from the mainland you will find the Koh Sdach Archipelago, a cluster of islands and the charming fisherman island Koh Sdach in the middle. Your little Homestay With the sound of the waves beneath the floors, and the small local boats chugging bye, you find a little heaven! Adventurous backpackers and stories gather around the long kitchen table for communal meals and late night chilling. This place is a home away from home, and a very personal experience! The coral reef is a jump away (you literally jump in from the porch of the homestay!). Here you can snorkel at day and swim with the bioluminescence at night. This unique homestay is environmentally by using wind and solar energy, collecting rainwater and recycling what can be recycled. Our favorite part (besides the super professional, fun and passionate owners from Norway) are the hammocks dangling on the porch (and the fact that they serve the best drinks on the island ). Your Room The dorm like mezzanine on the top of the dive center is a cozy place to sleep. The rooms are divided by curtains, clean, with soft single or double matresses and a natural breeze to keep you cool. The bathroom is shared, but it has a great view!
This is only a selection of the many dive sites represented on this particular destination. The diving is dictated by the safeness of the environment. Condor Reef About 2,5 hours boatride away, you will find one of the best dive sites in Cambodia... Condor reef! This mysterious reef is (unfortunately for the old trading ships) not often visible from the surface. Join in on a treasure search (but take only pictures, and leave only bubbles) at this cool dive site, where pieces of 350 year old China from the Ming dynasty is still visible on the seabed, A strange almost untouched underwater landscape, made up by blocks and straight walls will reveal itself... Is it made by the aliens? Or is it the remains of Atlantis? Let your imagination go wild! The maximum depth is around 20 meteres, the distance from shore makes this a site where the visibility is year round 20-40 meters. At this place, you will be sure to see blue spotted stingrays, morays, carpet sharks, and huge schools of fish. It's a fishy dive! Shark Island Is a rocky and weather worn island, where you will find remains of skulls and bones from unlucky sailors in the past. (these earthly remains are not to be touched, of course!). Under the surface, the story is bright and beautiful... with great visibility year round, and a curious terrain, made up by blocks of rock with corals and beautiful blue anemones all around. The area is an important fishing ground for the locals, (sustainable, not commercial fishing) and it is interesting to see the fish traps in use. With an impressive number of reef fish and larger pelagic fish, this is a dive site you will remember for a long time. The area is big enough to spend several days exploring. Koh Sdach Archipelago - local dive sites The 8 islands surrounding Koh sdach, have an aboundance of different dives ites, only a short boat ride away. There are Turtle Island, Koh Totang, Koh Chan, Tamarind Islands, Koh Smach and Ghost Island. Each one with a different underwater scenery. from shallow seahorse dives on sandy bottoms to huge cobias along the reefs of turtle Island. Conditions: -----------------------------------------Visibility 5m - 40m Water temperature November February 28-30 C February June 29-32 C Current Outer reefs mild to strong currents, Local diving offers sheltered bays with no current Depths 5m - 30m Average is 8-15m Special marine life Bluespotted stingrays, seahorses, cobias, eaglerays, morays, great macrolife, sharks
Itinerary On the day of arrival, the equipment will be fitted and packed for the following days of diving, the rest of the day is left for exploring on land and settling in. The dive sites vary from day to day, depending on wind and weather. Please check with the dive center what dives will be done the day before they are conducted. There will be no refund on dives not used. DIVE PACKAGE 1: 4 days 3 nights - 4 dives The shorter option with 4 dives spread out on 2 days of diving, 1 day of arrival, 1 day of departure and 3 nights of accommodation, the dive sites will vary depending on weather and experience level. 1 day with local diving in the Koh Sdach Archipelago and 1 day diving on one of our offshore destinations, Shark Island or Condor reef. (weather permitting) DIVE PACKAGE 2: 6 days and 5 nights - 8 dives The longer option, with 8 dives spread out on 4 days of diving, 1 day of arrival, 1 day of departure and 5 nights of accommodation. 2 days with local diving in the Koh Sdach Archipelago and 2 days diving on the offshore destinations. (weather permitting). The dive sites will vary depending on weather and experience level. If you want a longer itinerary, you can add extra days of diving and accommodation upon booking. Please note Due to ocean and weather conditions, the itinerary can be subject to change. Activity starts Courses are run on a daily basis start dates vary by request. Please note that start times can vary from course to course. You will be notified upon arrival Activity starts from Dive center Please contact your dive center no later than one week prior to arrival - to confirm your arrival and to ask any questions you might have regarding your stay, your course or how to get to the dive center Group Size No limit Max. 4 divers pr. Instructor/Divemaster Language English
Transfer Information Koh Sdach is easily reached from the key points of the Cambodian tourist track. The easiest way to get there, is with the local transports from Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, Kampot and Koh Kong. Prices and timings are always changing. On your voucher, you will find helpful numbers and contacts that will get you to the right bus or car, no matter where you are. The local transport can be an adventure with lots of happy people, pigs and other goods going to the island. The dive center can also arrange a private car, to pick you up at the airport or from your hotel. Daily buses from Thailand to Koh Kong. Leaves from Bangkok, Khao San area in the morning. Pick Up By Boat Depending on availability, the dive center can provide a pick up from Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, Koh Kong and Sihanoukville. Please contact the dive center for inquiries on boat transfer. You will find all the contact details for the dive center on your voucher.
Prices below are based on 2 persons sharing accommodation, unless stated otherwise. FUNDIVING - DORM Days / Nights 4/3 255 EUR Included Fundives as described in package Accommodation in dorm mezzanine breakfast Snacks, on dive trips Lunch on offshore dive trips Equipment dive guide 1 extra night in dorm (after) 14 EUR 1 extra night in dorm (before) 14 EUR Not included Dinner Lunch when not diving Transfer to/from Koh Sdach 1 extra night in tree-house (after) 17 EUR 1 extra night in tree-house (before) 17 EUR Amount of dives Price (incl. accomodation) 4 Supplements Prices for supplementary accommodation are based on 2 persons sharing accommodation, unless stated otherwise. Supplements Supplements like extra nights of accommodation or extra days of diving, can be added to your package. If you are booking a course, it is recommended to book an extra night of accomodation prior your course, to get settled and get up front on the studying. PLEASE NOTE! economic aspects No bank or ATM on the island Bring cash for food, drinks and other thingies you might want to buy in the local village The dive center does not accepts credit cards Also available on site Extra diving Extra accommodation if available Continuing education Courses are available on request for all levels of continuing education. Boutiqe dive center with Padi Instructors Cancellation Please refer to FAQ & Terms on www.blueventure.net Dive insurance Basic dive travel insurance required
General terms and conditions GENERAL CONDITIONS CHANGES OF BOOKINGS: You can change your booking request or start date free of charge. If you need to change your booking you must contact the dive center directly by e-mail or phone. You will find the contact details on your voucher. For verification purpose, please remember to mention your name and booking ID. If you want to change your start date, we recommend that you do so minimum 10 days before the beginning of your dive package. Later than this, might cause the accommodation to be fully booked for alternative dates. During high seasons, 10 days might not be sufficient time, please allow extra time for changes in the high season. As a reminder, you will receive an email with general information and contact information of your dive center 10 days prior to your start date. CANCELLATION RULES: Any customer has the right to cancel their booking with Blue Venture Diving. In order to do so, you must contact your selling agent. The cancellation fees and rules of your selling agent will apply for your cancellation. Blue Venture is not liable for any cancellations done by the customer of personal reason such as/or in the same category as sickness, family, missed flights etc, or other circumstances that is beyond reasonable control such as force majeure. Blue Venture booking cancellation In the unlikely event that Blue Venture is forced to cancel a booking, the customer will get direct notice. A cancellation will only happen if Blue Venture finds that the contracted dive center can t perform the needed service of the booked package or if the dive standards can t be fulfilled accordingly. Minor changes in the itinerary will not be defined as a valid cancellation reason, as diving is dictated by the environment and the people enrolled in the activity. Blue Venture will always do their best to find another operator of same or higher standard, but it is up to the customer to decide whether they want to accept the change or get a refund. INSURANCE: A cancellation insurance is not included. It is highly advised recommended that you obtain adequate travel insurance prior to your departure from your home country. REFUNDS: Medical Statement To enroll in an Open Water Course, all students MUST fill in the Medical Statement. Please ensure that you have received the medical statement from your travel agent. If any questions are replied with a "Yes", the medical statement must be signed by a doctor. Failing the medical statement at the destination, and therefore not being able to enroll in the diving course, you will not be entitled to a refund. If you have not received your Medical Statement, please make sure to print it from this link. http://blueventure.net/files/required/270.pdf Restricted dives Diving is dictated by the environment and the people enrolled in the activity. All diving is performance based. It is up to the discretion of the dive guide/instructor to restrict divers from entering activities that goes beyond their experience level. All guides strive to reach the expectations of the customers. However, if they find that the safety of the group or an individual is jeopardized or at risk by one or several individuals, it is up to the dive guide/instructor to restrict any divers from entering the water. In this event the dive center or Blue Venture is not obliged to give a refund. Dives not completed There is no refund for dives not carried out. Refund for dives not done for any reason is up to the discretion of the dive center. Most dive centers do not give refunds for dives not done with personal causes such as seasickness, low on air situations or a failure in mastering the equipment etc. All log books will be checked prior to the dive and the dive sites will be chosen accordingly to the experience level. It is however expected that certified divers keep within their limits and do not cross their comfort zone. Blue Venture and your travel agent is never responsible to pay a refund for dives not done. Courses not completed There is no refund for courses not completed! All courses are performance based, but it is up to the instructor to pass the student. If a customer can not complete a course with success they will receive their course documents for an optional referral, but the contracted dive center, your travel agent and Blue Venture is not responsible to pay a refund.
Boats or dives not departing If boats or dives are cancelled due to bad weather or sea conditions, it is up to the dive center to re-schedule and compensate with a similar dive trip when conditions allow. If the customer does not have adequate time to enroll in another trip/course it is up to the customer to make sure the dive center notify Blue Venture of this in order to secure a refund via the sales agent who completed the sale with the customer. There will only be refund on the diving and not the accommodation. ACCOMMODATION: Unless mentioned in the destination information folder the accommodation is always part of the package. If the dive center by any means can t deliver the agreed accommodation, it is up to their discretion to supply immediate accommodation of the same or higher standard. (the destination information folder is found on the Blue Venture website.) If the accommodation somehow does not live up to satisfactory standards of the customer, the customer must contact Blue Venture by phone or email as soon as possible (preferably while still on site) in order to solve the problem. DIVE INSTRUCTORS & DIVE GUIDES: All contracted dive centers has been handpicked based on their level of professionalism and expertise. Blue Venture ensures that all guides and instructors have the correct education and experience. In the unlikely event that a customer suffers a bad experience with any guide, instructor or dive center facilities, Blue Venture is entitled to know, but can t by any means be held liable. At the end of you dive experience as questionnaire will be sent out to you, that we would like you to answer. By doing this, you help securing a high level of professionalism towards all customers. PADI MEDICAL STATEMENT & LOGBOOK: If you are about to enroll in a dive course (entry level only), you must fill out the PADI Medical Statement before you leave your home country. Please make sure your agent has provided you with the PADI Medical Statement. You can also print the medical statement from the link, further up on this page. If you need the medical statement reviewed by a doctor, you have 10 days from the date of the booking with the option of cancelling for free. If you are already certified as a diver and about to go fundiving, you must remember your current dive certificate and your personal logbook or dive computer. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)