Thailand? - Jan/Feb

[Michael Purcell]

We have a couple of weeks off in late january and are looking for somewhere warm to do some diving. (Living here is Dubai has really spoiled us) :)

We haven't been to the Red Sea yet but we think it might be a little chilly that time of year. The Maldives are an option also Malaysia but I don't think that is the best time of year either...

Someone suggested that is the time of year to hit Thailand...anyone have any suggestions...

[MarkM]

Personally I like Thailand, I have been many times and I am off again next Wednesday.

The best time to go is somewhere between mid November and Mid April , so January is fine. Expect daytime temp to be 33, nightime to be 28 minimum. Water temp will be 28 down to 70m. I prefer the western side, Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi & Khao Lak. Although the area around Koh Tao on the west is good (this is all for diving BTW).

If you are on the western side and can get to the Similan islands, they are by far the best diving Thailand has to offer. the best way is on a liveaboard, but with only 2 weeks there you might struggle to get on one unless you pre-book. There are day trips running out of Khao Lak to the Similans.

If you are on Phuket/Phi Phi/Krabi then Hin Daeng/Hin Muang are excellent, although a 2 hour boat trip. If you don't have much time then there are many day trips out there.

HTH

[stevenl]

Thailand has some excellent diving to offer, especially on the West Coast (Andaman Sea). January/February are also good regarding weather and diving conditions.

The Similans (together with Koh Bon-Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock) offer excellent diving, as do Hin Daeng and Hin Muang further South. You can reach all these places on daytrips, but a liveaboard is really the way to go.

Check out
this page (http://www.phuket-scuba.com/daytrips.htm) for daytrips;
this page (http://www.thailand-scuba.com/similans.php) for liveaboards to the Similans; and
this page (http://www.thailand-scuba.com/southandaman.htm) for liveaboards to Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.

[Steve in Sharm]

If you are on the western side and can get to the Similan islands, they are by far the best diving Thailand has to offer. the best way is on a liveaboard, but with only 2 weeks there you might struggle to get on one unless you pre-book. There are day trips running out of Khao Lak to the Similans.


Scubacat - based in Phuket, have two livaboards permanently in the Similans, they run a "shuttle boat" service out to the livaboards so that the boats dont waste time coming back in and out to drop off/get new guests.

The shuttle runs every 2 days so you can pick you itinery for anything from 2 to 14 days. Check out their website on www.scubacat.com.

Also in Phuket is possibly the best/friendliest dive centre in the area (certainly the only one on the beach - he was wiped out in the Tsunami but came back bigger and better), though Charlie does not yet have his own livaboards but can easily get you onto one of his friends boats. His website is:

http://www.sunrisediving.net/

Enjoy, whoever you choose

Steve

[MarkM]

I dived with Scubacat when Mark Ellyatt worked there, I have been back since they seem fine.

I don't think there are many 'bad' operators in Thai liveaboards, dives shops that don't have liveaboards will recommend whichever one gives them the most profit :)

[wynnf]

Hi there..
I have just come back from Thailand and Stevenl organised 2 great days, day diving for me which was fantastic. He will put an itinery together for you if required. The similan islands were very good, although a little dissapointed with the soft corals.

I go to the Red Sea each January, and don't find it too cold at all - diving with a 7 m wet suit. The Red Sea does take some beating and there are some very cheap deals at the moment. Just booked my annual 1 week trip for Jan 2007 for a really good price, and 4 star accommodation.

If you need any further info, just PM me.

[stevenl]

dives shops that don't have liveaboards will recommend whichever one gives them the most profitTrue, some will do that, others will just look and try to give the best advice for the guest that they can give :p

[MarkM]

True, some will do that, others will just look and try to give the best advice for the guest that they can give :p
You never know I might see you in the Frog bar one night soon, are they still doing all you can eat pizza for 90 baht on Sunday evenings?

[stevenl]

The frog bar is in the same street, so come on over.

Don't know about the pizza, if I eat one I like an Italian one, and go to the restaurant opposite the Frog Bar, really good pizza's.

This makes me hungry ...

[MarkM]

The frog bar is in the same street, so come on over.

Don't know about the pizza, if I eat one I like an Italian one, and go to the restaurant opposite the Frog Bar, really good pizza's.

This makes me hungry ...
The Frog Bar has good pizzas, and for 90 baht I can eat a lot :D

I'll pop in and say Hi one day soon.

Do you know Frank the Tank?

[Janeh]

I too am off to Thailand for the first time end of Feb with my boyfriend (can't wait to get out of cold miserable London). I want to do my open water PADI qualification, and have been told that Koh Tao was the place to do this.

However reading your comments it would appear I should be going to the Similan islands? Any advice? We've only booked our flights to Bangkok so far so can be flexible.

Also, I have mild asthma (but am a very strong swimmer), will this be a problem?

[Steve in Sharm]

I too am off to Thailand for the first time end of Feb with my boyfriend (can't wait to get out of cold miserable London). I want to do my open water PADI qualification, and have been told that Koh Tao was the place to do this.

However reading your comments it would appear I should be going to the Similan islands? Any advice? We've only booked our flights to Bangkok so far so can be flexible.

Also, I have mild asthma (but am a very strong swimmer), will this be a problem?

Mmm yes,

Asthma!!!!! You will fail the medical self decleration - any decent dive centre will refuse to take you in the water until you have been seen by a diving specialist doctor (any other centre is purely a cowboy!).

Save time and get this done in the UK - for a list of your local specialists see:

http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/main/Medical%20referees.htm

and take it with you.

As for the Similans - ever heard the phrase "dont run before you can walk"? wait till you've gpt about 50 dives under your belt before trying to go there - again, any decent dive centre will laugh in your face - stay well clear of any cowboy who says "no problem"

Enjoy Thailand

Steve

[stevenl]

I agree it is not a good idea to do your open water course at the Similans. But first getting 50 dives under your belt before going there is way overdone, there are plenty of divesites at the Similans that are very suitable to a beginner.

So first doing your course in the area and after that going to the Similans is no problem at all.