Island Advice West Or East?

[Katten86]

Hey,

I am going to study in Bangkok from august to december this year. But before I start in school, a friend is coming with me, to do some travel from the 25. july to 17. august. We have an appartment in Bangkok, that we can stay in for free from the 25th to 30th of july, and afterwards we are planning to do some "island-jumping" - mostly with the purpose of cheap accommodation, relaxing, drinking cocktails, eating good food, diving (since she is a diving-instructor), renting scooters to see interesting places and (sun)bathing. We are NOT interested in to many tourists and "hard"-partying although we thought of going to the fullmoon party at Koh Phangan the 28th of july..

But after some reading and advice from friends, we have talked about going from Bangkok to Phuket and then on to Koh Lanta.

Now we just realized, that we don't know about the weather and transportation possibilities at that time on that side of Thailand? Is it best on the East or West-coast at this time?

Anyone having some good advice of where to go and maybe where to stay or what to see?

Thanks in advance..

[Tropicalevo]

The weather is coming from the west at this time of year, so I would assume that the east is a 'safer' option. The weather here on Samui is still pretty hot and dry most of the time. (At least where I live it is.)

Mind you, the last time that I posted a 'weather situation report' - it started to rain cats and dogs!

[Bedrockguesthouse]

On the east coast you could do Koh Samet Island 2 hours drive from Bangkok and then head down to Koh Chang which is 4.5 hours from bangkok. Its rainy season so u will get rain no matter where u are. There are some islands off Pattaya also.

East coast is pretty good alternative to the southern islands. Note there also islands also near to Koh Chang also.

Hope you have a good time before your study

Brgds Mark

[samuijimmy]

Since your wife is a diver, one, suggestion is Mae Haad Beach, Koh Phengan. (look for Ko Ma on Google, or type "Ko" rather than Koh when checking out Islands!.. a Google annoyance!) ..

Mae Haad has a number of quiet resorts (Island View Cabana or Wang Sai Resort, are two of them). Mid range price)... Normal people! not the "party animal" crowd! Lovely beach too... no beach vendors to hassle you either!

The snorkeling /diving is fantastic! I just did it a week or so ago, it blew me away! June / July apparently the best for coral, some of it was like going through a "Winter Wonderland"!! It's a on the NW top end of the Island, and as far away from the FMP as you can get!

The water is low at the moment, so it's a case of wadding out knee deep a little.... life is tough sometimes!

Then there is Ko Toa, where life revolves around diving, in several spots... Mango Bay, Light House Bay.. Nang Yuan Island, and more..... but as yet I have not done any snorkeling there, (on my list in the next few weeks), so perhaps others could suggest places to stay... There are charter boats to get you around...

As pointed out by another poster, the seas /winds can get a bit rough at this time of year... so it is a case of keeping your fingers crossed for perfect conditions!

But Some of these bays are sheltered, so may not get the roughness as much.

Attached a picture of Mae Haad Beach KP . Ko Ma is on the left side, you can walk along the sand bar to get there!

... there is another place called Mae Haad on Ko Toa too, where the boats arrive.

Happy Travels!

[yuwenlong126]

thanks ,i am a foreigner, i want to travel to your country!:rolleyes:

[Tropicalevo]

Since your wife is a diver, one, suggestion is Mae Haad Beach, Koh Phengan. (look for Ko Ma on Google, or type "Ko" rather than Koh when checking out Islands!.. a Google annoyance!) ..

Mae Haad has a number of quiet resorts (Island View Cabana or Wang Sai Resort, are two of them). Mid range price)... Normal people! not the "party animal" crowd! Lovely beach too... no beach vendors to hassle you either!

The snorkeling /diving is fantastic! I just did it a week or so ago, it blew me away! June / July apparently the best for coral, some of it was like going through a "Winter Wonderland"!! It's a on the NW top end of the Island, and as far away from the FMP as you can get!

The water is low at the moment, so it's a case of wadding out knee deep a little.... life is tough sometimes!

I agree with the above post re Maa Head on KPN. Brilliant place for diving/snorkelling/laying back and drinking a cold one.

I would say give Koh Tao a miss. It is good for diving, and diving, and diving, and did I mention diving? There is NOTHING else to do there. The centre of the island is a tip and everything is expensive! Only tourists and no real Thai food.

Good luck