Standby diving deals - Phuket

Forgive me for another Phuket diving question...

Do standby deals exist in Phuket?

While recently in Cairns, my partner and I managed to get a really good standby (i.e. two days before the boat sailed) deal on a liveaboard out to Cod Hole and the Ribbon Reefs. We'd like to get on a Similans liveaboard (ideally medium budget) in early December, but as we're currently on a round the world trip, we would like our travel plans to stay as flexible as possible.

Does anyone have any experience of whether its possible to get last minute/standby deals on Similans liveaboards in this way or will they all be booked up way in advance?

Many thanks
Skimble

There will be last minutes probably, but it may not be on the boat you're looking for.
Some operators offers last minutes and some don't, so you have to be a bit lucky. Plus December is the busiest part of the high season, decreasing your chances of a last minute even further.

At this page you can find our last minutes.

There are a lot of budget operations, and you might have a good chance of getting something a few days before departure. The better boats will be pretty full. Also, just be aware that prices for accommodation in Phuket go up quite a lot in December/January, as Steven mentioned, it is the hight of the high season, and no one really needs to offer any discounts.

Quick answer - I wouldn't count on it. Some boats will discount a little, maybe 20% if space is available a couple of days before, some will not discount even last minute. You will probably find something if you are flexible in your dates and don't care too much about what boat you want.

Maybe the best option is to stay in Khao Lak as this is where a lot of the liveaboards depart from and ask around for any spaces on trips leaving the next day.

Have fun in the Similans.

Stephen.

Thailand Diving