It all seems to be happening in Phuket this summer. It’s not long since I was talking about the scuba party in Patong and now for water lovers, all be it surface water lovers, there’s a surfing competition being held in Kalim bay on the island of Phuket.

the Monsoon Riders event at Kalim Beach is the first of the three international surfing competitions that will be held this year in the Phuket area of Thailand. The second event, named The King of the Jungle will be held at Kamala Beach from 14-16 August, and the third and final event will be the Island Crown at Kata Beach from 4-6 September. (src)

Kalim Beach is situated just north of Patong Beach, and although a beautiful long strip of white sand. it isn’t the best beach in Phuket for children. Exposed to the western winds this beach does get strong currents often but if you find it on a good day it is a wonderful place to spend some time. It has some wonderful coral heads just off the shore so on the good days you could spend it snorkeling from the beach.

From June to September large storms in the Indian Ocean can generate enough swell to create surfable waves up to 6 feet in height. According to Phuket Boardriders President Chanin “Joob” Aiyarak, “Already this early in the season we’ve had some very good days of surf, and so we are very confident that over this three day period we’ll have waves that will give the competitors in all divisions great conditions in which to compete.”(src)

This is yet another reason to visit Thailand and Phuket especially during the “Green Season”, with bargains to be had from Phuket hotels, biker festivals, blues festivals, scuba parties and surfing competition it would seem now that the summer is the best time to visit Phuket.

If anyone happens to be on holiday in Thailand and visiting Phuket with the aim to do some scuba diving you would be advised to check out a company called Scuba Cat. It is their 2 year anniversary of new ownership on the 1st June and is promising parties but more importantly discounts on scuba trips.

Scuba Cat has 2 liveaboard boats the MV Scuba Cat and the MV Scuba Adventure, both of which drop divers on the coral of the Similan Islands, off the west coast of Thailand. One unique feature of the MV Scuba Cat is that it stays out in the waters up and down the Similan Islands and you are transferred to and from it by a speed boat from Tap Lamu. This reduces your sailing time to the sites on your 1st day and home again on your last, keeping your premium dive time to a maximum and not wasted travelling. Transfers occur on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only so a little planning is required if you don’t want to stay in any hotels in Phuket or Khao Lak.

Unlike the MV Scuba Cat the MV Scuba Adventure travels a little further north and visits Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai. It also has some trip dates the visit the southern dive sites of Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Ha and the dive sites around Phi Phi Island, Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai. The MV Scuba Adventure is a travelling boat so you will most likely join this off Patong beach and travel over night to your chosen destination and the travel back again at the end.

Both the Scuba Cat liveabaord boats still operate during the summer season just not in the Similan Islands which become un-divable, almost, during June to October each year. MV Scuba Cat is moored at Racha Yai just south of Phuket, and the MV Scuba Adventure travels to the more sheltered dive sites around Phi Phi Racha Yai and Racha Noi.

If you’re lucky enough to be on holiday in Thailand during June make sure you stop by Scuba Cat and see what the party’s like and take them up on some of their offers. Just because it’s the green season doesn’t mean you don’t have to bee diving still!

Some time back in 2008 I posted about the Hua Hin Jazz Festival, now it’s the turn of Phuket to host a musical festival but this times its the blues.

The Phuket Blues Festival is now in its 4th year (missing 2006) and this year is being held at The Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa, on Karon Beach. This hotel is an ideal location for this large outdoor festival and with Eric Bibb headlining the 2009 show they will need all that space.

If you never heard Eric, or even heard of Eric, then you are in fro a treat. You can find some of his best works at other festivals on you tube, look out for “Don’t let know body drag your spirit down”, a masterpiece in blues playing and singing.

If you are on or around Phuket between February 19 and 22 you should definitely take advantage of this blues festival, with tickets costing 1,200Baht (about £24 at the current exchange) for 2days buy at only 3000Baht (£60) you could have the VIP treatment at the festival for the full2 days.

The un-official kick off for the 2009 Phuket Blues Festival starts at 10pm on Thursday 19 in the Rockin’ Angels Jammin’ Cafe in Phuket Town with a warm up. The main events happen across the next two days at The Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa with the end of the festival being played out at the Royal Phuket Marine from 6.30pm to 10.00pm on the Sunday.

The video below is highlights from the Phuket Blues Festival 2008, not only does it show the wonderful acts  on stage last year but it also shows how hot the weather is during February in Thailand. If you happen to be on holiday to Thailand or planning a last minute get away to the tropical island of Phuket during the last week of February definitely look out for this treat.

Edit :- The video on the page seem to be breaking this wordpress theme. So I have had to remove it and just place the link to it HERE