What's the latest info for Koh Samet please?

[divedrewsf]

hello - since info on Koh Samet here is quite aged now, I'm hoping there are some people out there with recent experience to share.

me and the gf will be in BKK mid-August. seems the east coast is best for diving that time of year. i'm a very experienced DM (based in Manila) and gf a skilled beginner (great buoyancy already). my research seems to rule out Pattaya (crappy diving) so hoping Koh Samet may scratch the diving itch (mostly for her; she lives in Canada).

would be great to get people's takes on:
1) diving that time of year; is Koh Samet a good choice for an easy trip from BKK? (if not, or any better *easy* choices, please share)
2) any good dive ops to contact/use
3) any must-dos on Koh Samet (dive sites, restos, hikes, other nature, etc)

thank you for any helpful info!

 

[keepdivin]

Look into Koh Chang instead. It's a larger Island that has better options for diving, dining, and accommodations.

 

[divedrewsf]

Look into Koh Chang instead. It's a larger Island that has better options for diving, dining, and accommodations.

thanks for the reply...but for a number of logistical reasons, Koh Chang won't work out for us this trip.

hoping to hear from others with some recent Koh Samet info. tia

 

[Centrals]

Koh Chang is not that far from Koh Samet.
However, August is the rainy season for both Koh Chang and Koh Samet.
If you really want to impress your gf then Koh Tao would be a much better choice. Getting there is NOT difficult. Sleeper train to Chumphon and then bus + ferry across(Lomprayah or similar).

 

[Barmaglot]

Yeah, I have made the mistake of going to Koh Kood in July once. Diving was not in the cards. If you want to dive in August in Thailand, go to Tao or Phangan (for Sail Rock).

 

[divedrewsf]

Thank you for the replies. We'll skip diving this trip entirely.

/thread