Current (July 2012) Diving Suggestions

[Genericnic]

Hi all

I know that dive season is wound down but I have a friend from the US that is coming to Thailand for 2 or 3 weeks in July and wants to do some diving. I am at a loss at to where to recommend. Any suggestions appreciated.

David

[stevenl]

IMO the Andaman Coast offers year round the best diving Thailand has to offer. This time of year check out Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Krabi (Ao Nang) and Phuket.

[Genericnic]

Thanks stevenl. I'll pass that along to my friend.

David

[h90]

just been in Koh Lanta a month ago and they told me everything will be closed end June...Not sure if true or not.

[stevenl]

just been in Koh Lanta a month ago and they told me everything will be closed end June...Not sure if true or not.

No, not true. My guess is about 1/2 of the DC's there will be closed. So still plenty of options.

[LucidLucifer]

I'm not stating this as fact, but on information I've been told I was led to believe that most of the Andaman sea dive operations close down around this time of year. It's handy to know that this isn't necessarily true.

Only thing I would say, is will they still be taking people out if the sea is a little lumpy? I've had dives cancelled in Thailand because there is a slight chop, conditions that are perfectly divable.

With this is mind, would the gulf maybe be a safer bet if they wish to avoid disappointment?

I'm just asking for my own future reference as well.

Edited June 30, 2012 by LucidLucifer

[Genericnic]

Thanks for all the informations folks. I talked to the owner of a dive shop in Khao Lek that I dove with in November. They aren't diving due to high seas during the monsoon season. He suggested either Phuket or the east side. I referred my friend over to the east. Based on all the news, I think Phuket is a bit unstable on land at the moment too.

David

[simonphuket]

Most of the dive shops in Khao Lak are closed indeed as their dive sites are primarily the Similan Islands. This is a National Park and is closed for visitors (besides the fact that they are 50 miles off shore). The sites mentioned by Stevenl are open year round. Only a few days a year the boats will not go out due to rough seas.

The predicted wind speeds for The Gulf (around Koh Tao) and Andaman (Phuket) are about the same for the next few days, between 15-20 knts. The boats used from Phuket tend to be larger and way more comfortable and more sea-worthy. The diving is not comparable, with normally longer dive times (I found most Koh Tao shops have max 45 min. dives, as opposed to 60 mins for Phuket). In my opinion, there are 3 dive sites worth-while around Koh Tao, and they are all a bit further out, and therefore prone to waves and strong currents. When speaking of The Gulf I only mention Koh Tao, as this is the only are worth visting. Forget Pattaya or Koh Chang all together. Samui dive trips basically go to Koh Tao as well.

Just my honest advise, having dived most places in Thailand (hundreds if not 1000's of dives each area), go to Phuket.

[stevenl]

Thanks for all the informations folks. I talked to the owner of a dive shop in Khao Lek that I dove with in November. They aren't diving due to high seas during the monsoon season. He suggested either Phuket or the east side. I referred my friend over to the east. Based on all the news, I think Phuket is a bit unstable on land at the moment too.

David

Yes, no diving from Khao Lak at the moment, which is why I did not mention that. But Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are perfectly fine with much better diving available than from Koh Tao. And Phuket unstable? Don't read too much on the Phuket forum on TV.

[stevenl]

I'm not stating this as fact, but on information I've been told I was led to believe that most of the Andaman sea dive operations close down around this time of year. It's handy to know that this isn't necessarily true.

Only thing I would say, is will they still be taking people out if the sea is a little lumpy? I've had dives cancelled in Thailand because there is a slight chop, conditions that are perfectly divable.

With this is mind, would the gulf maybe be a safer bet if they wish to avoid disappointment?

I'm just asking for my own future reference as well.

Here in the area: if safe the boats will go out, if not safe the trips will be cancelled or limited in destinations.

In general all dives cancelled happens just a few days each year, and we have already had those days this year . Limited in destinations happens a bit more, but even then we're talking maybe 2 days a month between June and October. So yes, it does happen, but not very often.

[LucidLucifer]

Maybe I was just unlucky then, but over a week of diving a couple of years a go, I lost 3 days, and none of the night dives went out over the whole week.

Safe is a very subjective thing, in the same way deep is. Depends totally on your level of experience and qualifications. I saw nothing in terms of sea state that made those days undivable. If you applied their judgement of conditions to UK diving, you'd hardly ever get wet.

I will concede though, if I had to take a boat load of relative novices out, i'd also be hesitant. Unfortunately that doesn't help me though.

[limbos]

July has usually excellent conditions in the Gulf with good visibility, During June there were numerous days with whale sharks at Sail Rock and also Chumpon Pinnacle had a few whale sharks to show for.

Both 'sides' of Thailand dive all year round but the dive operators can't control the weather, so on both sides trips can be cancelled.

[stevenl]

Maybe I was just unlucky then, but over a week of diving a couple of years a go, I lost 3 days, and none of the night dives went out over the whole week.

Safe is a very subjective thing, in the same way deep is. Depends totally on your level of experience and qualifications. I saw nothing in terms of sea state that made those days undivable. If you applied their judgement of conditions to UK diving, you'd hardly ever get wet.

I will concede though, if I had to take a boat load of relative novices out, i'd also be hesitant. Unfortunately that doesn't help me though.

Where was that?

[LucidLucifer]

Maybe I was just unlucky then, but over a week of diving a couple of years a go, I lost 3 days, and none of the night dives went out over the whole week.

Safe is a very subjective thing, in the same way deep is. Depends totally on your level of experience and qualifications. I saw nothing in terms of sea state that made those days undivable. If you applied their judgement of conditions to UK diving, you'd hardly ever get wet.

I will concede though, if I had to take a boat load of relative novices out, i'd also be hesitant. Unfortunately that doesn't help me though.

Where was that?

Koh Tao

[simonphuket]

Where was that?

Koh Tao

Ahh, the Gulf of Thailand, east coast, not Andaman Sea/Phuket.

Btw, both sides now experience rough seas, at this moment it doesn't matter where you are. I was diving yesterday at Racha Yai (Phuket area), the viz was fabulous, just a but choppy.

[LucidLucifer]

Where was that?

Koh Tao

Ahh, the Gulf of Thailand, east coast, not Andaman Sea/Phuket.

Btw, both sides now experience rough seas, at this moment it doesn't matter where you are. I was diving yesterday at Racha Yai (Phuket area), the viz was fabulous, just a but choppy.

Yes, I'm completely bloody aware of where it is, i've lived in different places on both the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea side for a number of years. My point was, dives are sometimes cancelled here, and visiting the Andaman side at the wrong time of year, when many dive operations have shut down, increases the risk of that happening.

[stevenl]

Where was that?

Koh Tao

Ahh, the Gulf of Thailand, east coast, not Andaman Sea/Phuket.

Btw, both sides now experience rough seas, at this moment it doesn't matter where you are. I was diving yesterday at Racha Yai (Phuket area), the viz was fabulous, just a but choppy.

Yes, I'm completely bloody aware of where it is, i've lived in different places on both the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea side for a number of years. My point was, dives are sometimes cancelled here, and visiting the Andaman side at the wrong time of year, when many dive operations have shut down, increases the risk of that happening.

Yes, but: Koh Tao is mainly student divers, Phuket not many. Plus student divers on Phuket will generally go to Racha Yai. For normal fundives to Bida Islands, Shark Point area etc. you can count on: if conditions allow it safely the boats will go out. For Racha Noi: if conditions allow it safely and there are not too many student divers on the boat. If there are many student divers on the boat there is a good chance the boat will not go as far as Racha Noi but only to Racha Yai.

So in the Phuket area: even if it is choppy the boats will go out if safely possible.

[LucidLucifer]

So in the Phuket area: even if it is choppy the boats will go out if safely possible.

Good to hear.

[stevenhb]

There is a good dive company that operates their speed boat from the east coast of the island. Dive sites are about 30 min travel from the main land and its safer traveling short distances, especially this time of year. Good dive sites too.

The guys number is : 087 888 2789.

[stevenl]

There is a good dive company that operates their speed boat from the east coast of the island. Dive sites are about 30 min travel from the main land and its safer traveling short distances, especially this time of year. Good dive sites too.

The guys number is : 087 888 2789.

And that happens to be your own number.

Please also provide information on TAT license and compulsory insurance here.