Luko
Contributor
Hi,
from an outsider perspective, though having done quite a few dives in Thailand (went on 6 different trips) Similans/Richelieu on a live aboard from Phuket/Khao Lak would provide the best diving, closely followed by the southern Hins you also reach on a live aboard or from Lanta/Krabi day dives. But that's out of your requirements, too far away, too long trips.
Probably not the best diving of all, though interesting, more than Ko Tao for instance (carpeted with soft corals, guaranteed ghostpipefish) and definitely the best beaches in Thailand would be Koh Lipe .. it's funny no one mentioned Lipe, that's a lovely island, although getting too touristy nowadays and since they have upmarketed some accoms I think it can match for a honeymoon (clearly no posh 5* hotels but as charming as bungalows can get + best grilled grouper in thailand... and beaches you hardly get anywhere else, honest...).
Go and have a look at oceanpro divers website, thai/canadian dive centre in Lipe.
Cheers
Luko
from an outsider perspective, though having done quite a few dives in Thailand (went on 6 different trips) Similans/Richelieu on a live aboard from Phuket/Khao Lak would provide the best diving, closely followed by the southern Hins you also reach on a live aboard or from Lanta/Krabi day dives. But that's out of your requirements, too far away, too long trips.
Probably not the best diving of all, though interesting, more than Ko Tao for instance (carpeted with soft corals, guaranteed ghostpipefish) and definitely the best beaches in Thailand would be Koh Lipe .. it's funny no one mentioned Lipe, that's a lovely island, although getting too touristy nowadays and since they have upmarketed some accoms I think it can match for a honeymoon (clearly no posh 5* hotels but as charming as bungalows can get + best grilled grouper in thailand... and beaches you hardly get anywhere else, honest...).
Go and have a look at oceanpro divers website, thai/canadian dive centre in Lipe.
Cheers
Luko