For the experienced diver, Koh Tao?

[Scuba Susie]

Hey Scuba Boarders,

If anyone has a few moments I would appreciate some advise about Koh Tao. I am leading a group of 5-10 Americans on a "warm water" dive trip. The Northern coast of California is beautiful, don't get me wrong, we just need some diving without hooded vests and gloves!!!!!
We, unfortunately, went to Sipadan last year. I say unfortunately because the diving was so DANG good. I am afraid everything else will pale in comparisson. While I know you cannot compare apples to oranges, could someone give me a clue as how the diving is on Koh Tao? What kind of critters might you see around Jan,. Feb, or March?
I have heard Koh Tao is a great place for beginner divers but we all are a bit more advanced and a bit picky, I guess. The top side activities are the big draw for me! The culture and hiking etc look fabulous. But if the diving is really yucky...well....we might look elsewhere. Any insights from you great people?????
Thanks a bunch!
Susie

 

[Scuba Susie]

We are looking for land based resorts and not livaboards.
Susie

 

[wedivebc]

I was there in october. While I would not say the diving was spectacular it was an enjoyable experience. The diving was nice and not always beginner level. I enjoyed Chumpon Pinnacle best. Saw a few sharks there. I did 3 day boat (2 tank) dives with Coral Grand and would do it again. I had been to Similans before that so it was not quite as good as I had experienced. The vis was spotty. Not like here when the vis is bad its bad for most of the dive but it would deteriorate and the 5 min later clear up. I don't believe the people of Thailand know what a gem they have and are oblivious to the pollution that they are dropping in the ocean. We also saw evidence of dynamite fishing in the Similan Islands which is suppose to be a marine park.
I believe the weather is not too good during the times you mentioned I would look into that.
Enjoy your trip I know I did.

 

[Christian]

For the time period that you are looking at, jan-march, the Andaman sea is better than the east coast due to the monsoon. Genereally all Thai diving experts also agree on that the west coast has better diving than the Thai gulf. I have never dived in the gulf myself, but done some in the Andaman Sea (Similan/Surin, Phi Phi, Phuket and Hin Daeng/Hin Mouang. Have been to Sipadan as well and Thai diving is not as spectacular but can be very good if you are lucky with the conditions. My favourites are Hin Mouang and Richelieu Rock.

I don't know if there are any convenient ways to do day trips to the Similans. But you can reach Hin Daeng and Hin Mouang from Kho Lanta with dayboat (loong trip). They are very good. I believe it is also possible from Phi Phi, but then you would need a speedboat and flat conditions. I guess a liveaboard is really the way to go, unfortunatelly.

cheers

Christian

 

[drbill]

I've dived the Gulf and the Andaman Sea, both in March of 2001. The diving was definitely better in the Andaman Sea, but I enjoyed Koh Tao as well (especially Chumphon Pinnacle although there were a LOT of divers there... fortunately we were at the 100 ft level so most were above us and out of sight til we ascended).

I stayed in cottages in both places. Koh Tao was about $3-4 per night right on the beach, Koh Phi Phi was $10 away from the beach. Neither was a resort, but both were clean and had private baths. I backpack when I travel so I just look for a safe and clean place to rest my head at night. I'm there for the diving.

 

[Scuba Susie]

This place Rocks! So much info. out there!

Christian...thanks for the advice but livaboards are not an option for my group. So that pretty much cuts out the Andaman Sea unless I want to spend 2 plus hours to get to a dive site....no thanks!

Dr. Bill.....what are you a doctor of anyways? Koh Yao is on the top of my short list right now. Do you know anything about the neighboring Koh Nang-Yuan? That looks pretty idillic and yet close enought to Koh Tao if we want to do some land adventuring. Speaking of which...is there much to do on Koh Tao? We are not into the nightclub scene but more into nature hikes, caves, waterfalls, tribal stuff. And of course...a really good bar!

Thanks to you both and Batfish too!

Susie

 

[Quero]

Scuba Susie, If you do opt for Koh Tao go as late in your time frame as possible. The season there really only begins in March. You might also consider Koh Chang, where the season starts somewhat earlier.

However, please don't rule out Phuket too quickly. You can certainly enjoy great diving while staying on Phuket--you only need a liveaboard for the Similans (if you really want to do them justice). But there is more diving from Phuket than the Similans! There are lots really good of day-trip boats that go out to the closer islands, including to dive sites around Koh Phi-Phi. A number of these dives are recommended principally for experienced divers.

If longish boat rides put you off (but hey, with your group size the boat ride would be more like a party!)--meaning you rule out Phuket--maybe the Maldives would work for you. Most diving is land-based from a resort, both on the house reef and by speedboat, similar to your experience at SMART on Mabul. (I remember you as Scuba Sue on a Malaysian scuba forum, don't I?)

Upsides of Maldives: lots of drift diving, some of it quite a challenge; lots of marine life; beauty beyond description. Downsides: it's pretty expensive; the hard coral is still recovering from the bleaching episode some years back (soft coral is doing very well, though); there's not really anything to do other than play in the water and party at the resort.

 

[JonnieB]

If you have been to Sipadan, there is no comparison to Ko Tao. All you need to know about Tao is this...outside of Australia, they certify more PADI open water divers (i.e. newbie divers) there than anywhere else in SE Asia. Something like 20,000+ per year. So you can expect there to be crowds of novice divers at just about all the sites...both doing training exercises, steping on what's left of the coral reef, and kicking up the bottom and destroying the visibility at sandy sites.

In adition, the marine life at Ko Toa is nothing compared to average sites around SE Asia, let alone a premiere site like Sipadan. Also, many of the dive sites, expecially the only real one worth diving, Chomporn Pinnicle, are up to an hours boat ride from Tao. What Tao has in its favour is reasonabley priced dive courses, cheap continuing education/practice dives, decent marine life, great resturants and nitelife, and the island itself is quite scenic, with some mountain trails and pretty coves and beaches.

You might want to consider the Phuket area (see my reports here on Phuket day-trips) or possibly even Bali (again see my reports) as both have much better diving than Tao and also lots of topside activity...both outdoorsy stuff, food, and nitelife.

 

[Christian]

Susie

Judging by your replies, Phi Phi Islands might be the best alternative in Thailand? I'm not sure exactly how much is built up again after the tsunami, but I know it's possible to go there and I've heard people say it is like going to Phi Phi 15 years ago. It's very scenic (remember The Beach with Leonardo Dicaprio? A lot of it was shot on Maya Bay on Phi Phi Ley, the smaller uninhibited island). Plenty of dive sites a short boat ride away. The quality of diving is descent, not comparable to Sipadan but should be better than Ko Tao. And if you should feel like some really good diving one day, Hin Daeng/Hin Mouang is within reach by speedboat. Further on jan-march is spot on seasonwise.

good luck

Christian

 

[NigerHadiza]

I went to Koh Tao alone in August. The weather was awesome and almost calm on one day, but as others have mentioned it will be the rainy season and I would consider the other side of Thailand. I am still a beginning diver but was pleased after doing my Advanced OW there. I also went with Coral Grand (very nice resort by the way) and the night dive was awesome. I also saw sharks during my deep dive. But, after diving in Sipidan, you might be disappointed...then again, the water is SO warm. *sighing* I love Thailand and the people. I am wanting to go back and do a liveaboard to the Similan Islands. Hope it works out for you!