Thailand in Aug. Where to dive??

[MGW1979]

I'm planning on spending a month (or more) in Thailand and want to spend the majority of my time diving. I've never been so I'm looking for some advice on where to go. I'm thining about doing a DM but I don't know. I'd like somewhere with good diving and amazing beaches. Any suggestions for where I go?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Bowmouth]

Phuket is the place to go!

 

[DontLieToMe]

Isn't it monsoon time? Winds? Not a good time for places like Similans?

 

[Quero]

Isn't it monsoon time? Winds? Not a good time for places like Similans?

The monsoon winds will not prevent a diver from doing DM training on Phuket (which, even if it were high season, wouldn't be done on a liveaboard at the Similans in any case). If the main focus of spending a month in Thailand is on DM training/practical application, Phuket is the top choice, all year round.

If the main focus of spending the month of August in Thailand is doing fun dives, then I would recommend skipping around--some time in Phuket, some time at one of the islands further south, such as Koh Lanta, and perhaps some time at one of the islands in the Gulf (where August is high season).

 

[Bowmouth]

Isn't it monsoon time? Winds? Not a good time for places like Similans?

It's a great time of year to spend days in a row on the East side of Similan # 8 and dive Beacon Beach over and over and over again.

 

[MGW1979]

What about Koh Tao? How do Phuket and Koh Tao compare?

 

[Bowmouth]

What about Koh Tao? How do Phuket and Koh Tao compare?

You can not compare Phuket with Ko Tao; they are just way too different to compare.
It's like comparing steaming hot curry with a cheese sandwich; it just doesn't work...

 

[MGW1979]

Umm...Ok, Which is which then?

 

[smartecosse]

a average days diving phuket normally beats a good day at tao

 

[mark99]

A month is a good time frame to do a DM, and Phuket is a good place to do it (that's where I did mine). The limitation is that August is a low season, so will you have enough students and classes scheduled to complete your requirements? Be sure to check with your prospective dive shop to make sure.