Ko Lipe in tang provice of Thailand!!

[KBN]

Have anyone any info on this besides it shoul be really great....

Cost!?!?!? I recond it is very exspesive!?!?

KBN

 

[Asiandivergal]

Hi KBN,

All i know about Koh Lipe is that it is still not as developed as the rest of the islands such as Koh Lanta and Phi Phi, which could be a blessing in disguise.

If i remember clearly, Koh Lipe is located in Tarutao Marine National Park, and someone once mentioned that lots of germans go there because it is not very developed, dont expect any accommodation with A/C. Also, i vaguely remember someone mentioning that it is not worth travelling all the way there for diving which is ok but not superb - seems like nothing much can beat Similans and Burma Banks. Below are 2 websites of dive operators based at Koh Lipe for your info, hope it helps:
http://www.stgt.com/sabye/
http://www.starfishscuba.com/

Here's another site with a brief description of koh lipe:
http://www.thailandday.com/ISLAND & BEACH/KOH LIPE.htm

 

[KBN]

I have been told that Tarutoa area is just as good as Similan......25% of all the world fishspecies are common here. Also the locatin close to deep water and still far away from mainland should give excillent posibillites to see WhaleSharks and other big game.

My plan is to dive 4-5 days at Ko Lipe and 2-3 days of snockling, thereafter I go after a break for Ko Racha Ray and do 3-4 days of diving there coouse this is also near deep water so chance are to see WhaleSharks.

After another break I go to Khlok Lak for liveaboard to Similan and chances are to see WhaleSharks.

So in all this is my WhaleShark Expidition anno 2002.

The reason I waana go to Ko lipe is it gives me the chance to get away from turist hells like phi phi and phuket....couse it is to my concern a waste of money and it also gives me the chance to go check this new place out before the CROWEDS get here ans spoild it all....if it is bad I just leave agian and spend my money other places!!

KBN

 

[Asiandivergal]

Sounds good KBN - cant help u out much, coz i have never been there, and wat i know is all based on second-hand info anyway. the best is to actually go dive it yourself, experience it, and tell us all about it!

hope you have a great time, i am really envious, u sound like you'd have a wonderful time - and dont forget to share your experiences with us once you are back

 

[iphiclides]

...there are not whale sharks in thailand despite the hype...however two years ago three whale sharks spent months around koh tao, they loved swimming with divers, however there has not been a whale shark at richelieu rock for a few years. I saw a couple of whale sharks from a ferry in the perhentian islands in malaysia south of koh tao...maybe the east coast is the best place to see them? well I hope you see them... what do you think of koh lipe?

 

[RSdiver]

I have a guidebook of Thailand that shows the name as Koh Rawi in the same place as Koh Lipe.

Are they the same?

 

[Wazee Diver]

If you go you have to check this out(see link)

http://www.phangandivers.com/spec03.htm

 

[cmdasia]

Without doubt there are whalesharks passing through Thai waters - this is simply unquestionable

Some of the sightings are documented here:

http://www.whalesharkthai.com/cgi-bin/webboard/view.cgi?board=board_8

I would say though that anyone coming to dive in Thailand with the express aim of seeing a whaleshark would be better off spending their money on buying a lottery ticket. You would have to be EXTREMELY lucky - I have been here searching for the last 3 years and I still have not seen one so you can calculate the odds of seeing one if you come for a week.

www.damnam.org

 

[Lemonade]

I saw one diving Ko Tachai in Andaman Sea on 02/13/2003

Up-close and personal, it kept on going in circles and returning to us until we had to go up. It was a young one, I say about 18' - 20' long.

Hour and a half later, when we went for another dive, it was gone.

 

[cmdasia]

I am really jealous!!!! Thats great.