Thailand forum
heading to HOT Thailand - Andaman vs. Gulf side in May!?
Have questions? Jump to our menu of forum quicklinks
Add your reply
You need to be logged in to add a reply.
Not a member? you can join here.
| Possibly related discussions | Replies | Views | Latest reply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand Islands ... By TheGoose on 9 Feb 2009 | 1 | 2512 | 10 Feb 2009 |
| Beach In August: Andaman Coast vs. Gulf of Thailand ... By shaka317 on 4 May 2012 | 2 | 1562 | 10 May 2012 |
| Gulf or Andaman Sea in June? ... By trudat on 25 Jan 2008 | 2 | 1840 | 26 Jan 2008 |
| Andaman gulf beginning of December ... By Seba on 28 Sep 2009 | 1 | 1106 | 29 Sep 2009 |
| beach in February - Andaman coast vs Gulf ... By adriana_o on 21 Jan 2013 | 4 | 694 | 22 Jan 2013 |
| 2 weeks on the beach: Andaman or Gulf - or both? Opinions appreciated! ... By krisandleo on 3 Nov 2006 | 3 | 1666 | 7 Nov 2006 |
jkian
Joined Travelfish
9th April, 2011
Posts 3
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Traveling from COLD Canada to HOT Thailand 28 April - 13 May (~2 weeks).
The plan so far...
WEEK 1: EXPLORE the north (Chang Mai) or travel around Bangkok (Chanthabury)
WEEK 2: PADI open water certification & RELAX on beaches down south
To all you experiences travelers of Thailand, please enlighten me!
- Andaman or Gulf side for PADI open water certification in May, for good visibility and quality instructors. Is Koh Tao really the place to be as most forums say? Any recommendations on dive companies and locations?
- Is our plan realistic or is time tight to see everything!? Any recommendations?
- Any considerations we should have with the recent rains last few weeks?
Share your knowledge travelers, thanks!
#1 Posted: 9/4/2011 - 21:59
ayesha
TF writer
Joined Travelfish
12th June, 2009
Location Thailand
Posts 74
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
Hi there !
I live and work in diving here on Koh Tao. The conditions are good in May and the courses are cheaper here than on the West Coast.
Feel free to message me if you want more information.
Ayesha
#2 Posted: 10/4/2011 - 10:19
ayesha's social networks[Twitter] [Facebook] [Google+]
------------------------------
Join me on Facebook for more on Koh Tao.
Advertisement
Thomas922
Joined Travelfish
1st July, 2007
Location Global Village
Posts 343
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
You have 1 week before you head south. Actually you have NO real exploration time...that said you can fly up to Chiang Mai for a few days, see Ayutthaya on the way back to Bangkok, (a day) and spend a day seeing a couple of spots in the city before heading south. Just a thought.
#3 Posted: 10/4/2011 - 10:27
Captain_Bob
Joined Travelfish
27th May, 2006
Location Thailand
Posts 1283
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
Two weeks will fly by pretty quickly, I think you'll be back home before you know it so use your time well. Either fly up to Chiang Mai or skip it and focus more on Bangkok and surrounds then get to Ko Tao for diving. May can be blustery down the Andaman coast while the lower gulf (east) tends to remain protected from the SW monsoon winds that usually kick in around then. Bear in mind though, this has been the weirdest weather year in recent memory so take the "usual" patterns with a grain of salt (e.g. the bizarre heavy rains of late March). Ko Tao has by far the most dive schools of any island especially considering it's small size, and fingers crossed weather should be favorable in May there.
I'd recommend you do more than just the Open Water 1 course then wipe your hands - do some extra fun dives to practice basic skills to gain confidence - it simply makes diving a lot more enjoyable than the bare minimum required to get that plastic card. The ability to relax while knowing your equipment and your buddy's dive behavior, and controlling your bouyancy without the usual bicycle-kicking and arm-flailing leads to new levels of joy. BWRAF
#4 Posted: 10/4/2011 - 14:43
CrankyCarrot
Joined Travelfish
24th March, 2010
Location Thailand
Posts 662
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
Just spend the whole time in Phuket. Works for me
#5 Posted: 10/4/2011 - 20:03
------------------------------
www.crankycarrot.wordpress.com/
jkian
Joined Travelfish
9th April, 2011
Posts 3
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
AYESHA: Nice to hear conditions are good in Koh Tao. I hear prices are cheaper there. Given that we have only one week, I feel we'll have to decide either the Andaman or the Gulf side. Really want to see Koh Phi Phi and surrounding islands, so kinda leaning towards that side now but we'll keep your contact close in hand!
THOMAS: NO time to explore, I hear you! I'm thinking Chang Mai for a few days like you said. Wont be able to do everything but as long as I can get a good jungle trek and see some elephants I'm happy. I'll also look into Ayutthaya, what would you recommend to see and do there?
CAPTAIN BOB: Don't remind me that two weeks will fly by! I know the weather this year has been unpredictable, which means we cannot really plan to much. As I mentioned, leaning now towards sticking to one side in the south and doing PADI course in the Andaman waters. Anyone recommend any reputable dive shops there (i.e. Koh Phi Phi)? By sticking to one side we can take more advantage of our short time and do some additional excursions and dives in the area.
CRANKYCARROT: Thank you for your suggestion!
Thanks everyone for your advice, please share anything else that may come to mind! Much appreciated!
#6 Posted: 11/4/2011 - 01:58
Thomas922
Joined Travelfish
1st July, 2007
Location Global Village
Posts 343
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
Research your choice carefully. If you are paying for a PADI you want visibility. That is more important than being on Phi Phi. Phi PHi may dissapoint. It ain't what it was and it does not look like old post cards. Find recent pics. But base your dives on what has a better chance to be clear.
As for Chiang Mai, do the elephants and the jungle stuff one day, see the town, and maybe Doi Suthep. Every night you can enjoy the social life.
Ayutthaya is 2 hours or so from BKK. It is full of old temples and ruins. A 5 hour day touring will make great pics. That night you are back in BKK for something to do....
#7 Posted: 11/4/2011 - 12:07
CrankyCarrot
Joined Travelfish
24th March, 2010
Location Thailand
Posts 662
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
mai pen lai - no poblem
#8 Posted: 11/4/2011 - 19:49
------------------------------
www.crankycarrot.wordpress.com/
guava_girl
Joined Travelfish
21st October, 2010
Posts 250
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
If you go the the Andaman side (for example Khao Lak) it will be possible to do your course at the famous Similan and Surin islands. These are the best sites in Thailand. Yes it is a bit more expensive than in Koh Tao but worth it .
Some companies shut down at the end of April because the islands close for the season but a few continue trips until the middle of May.
#9 Posted: 12/4/2011 - 08:06
slapbreeya
Joined Travelfish
22nd April, 2011
Location Thailand
Posts 50
Member profile
Profile page
Messaging not enabled.
Koh Tao is in season now so the weather will be much better and as said the diving is cheaper but much lower quality.
#10 Posted: 22/4/2011 - 14:06
slapbreeya's social networks[Twitter]
Advertisement