2 Questions About Koh Tao.....jellyfish Risk And Sairee Hotels

[JemJem]

I have 2 questions :

1) I don't dive but I like to swim so I want to ask : Is there a risk regarding jellyfish (for this month anyway) at Koh Tao ? I know that for example, in Hua Hin, there is a risk but I have no idea about Koh Tao.

2) Can anyone recommend a hotel at the Sairee part of Koh Tao for around 700-800 baht a night ? I plan to go either later this week or next week. I know that this is the high season so I am not sure if I can get a decent room (just a clean room, not a tiny bungalow though, with its own toilet/shower and preferably air-conditioned but I guess I can do without A/C this month. Having a TV in the room is not important) for that rate these days.

Thanks.

[samuijimmy]

The little jelly fish can vary from day to day.... more annoying than bad stings... while swimming

They say to use vinegar, but generally the sting does not last.... from my experience.

No idea about places to stay on Sairee beach.... Might be better choices in your price range, south of Maehaad (where the ferries come in)

I stayed at a place called Tropicana several years ago, it was good value... but not "same same" as Sairee beach though ...

Not seen any talk of Box Jelly Fish of late.... but local knowledge needed to be consulted... those would be a concern....

But then tour companies up there every day and hundreds of people snorkeling, so don't think it is a concern....

Edited December 31, 2012 by samuijimmy

[limbos]

In general you should be fine regarding the jellyfish, although there are box jelly fish sightings arounf the Gulf islands, on Koh Tao there are no reports of stings, yet. Vinegar would be the way to go on these stings though.

[steventoo]

I haven't heard of any jellyfish around here since the beginning of December, and even then they were merely annoying and not dangerous.

I can't help with accommodation much. Try Asia Divers Resort. It's peak season at the moment, so expect high prices and low availability (and lots of idiots on bikes).

[JemJem]

Thanks, folks.

I guess regarding accommodation, since it's the high season, I might have to be prepared to pay around 900-1,000 baht a night.

[samuijimmy]

Thanks, folks.

I guess regarding accommodation, since it's the high season, I might have to be prepared to pay around 900-1,000 baht a night.

It depends, where you stay.... there are many areas other than Sariee beach....

Some places will kick you out, if they get booked with divers... but not all of them, the place I mentioned does not do that... (although it is a few years since I was there... maybe policy has changed, maybe not...?)

We don't see many posters from KT here so you might not get many responses! (or did you notice ? ) they all have their heads under water!!!

Just and add on here: Here's a pic of beach area south of Maehaad... near Tropicana.... lots of other places in the area too!

Edited January 1, 2013 by samuijimmy

[steventoo]

Thanks, folks.

I guess regarding accommodation, since it's the high season, I might have to be prepared to pay around 900-1,000 baht a night.

We don't see many posters from KT here so you might not get many responses! (or did you notice ? ) they all have their heads under water!!!

Hey, come on. I haven't been in the water in three weeks! (ear infection then dengue, ugh)

There are some great places to stay outside Sairee - but there's not much to do outside Sairee, either. Then again there's not much to do here besides dive and drink, but I guess that's the attraction for some.

Edited January 1, 2013 by steventoo

[samuijimmy]

Thanks, folks.

I guess regarding accommodation, since it's the high season, I might have to be prepared to pay around 900-1,000 baht a night.

We don't see many posters from KT here so you might not get many responses! (or did you notice ? ) they all have their heads under water!!!

Hey, come on. I haven't been in the water in three weeks! (ear infection then dengue, ugh)

There are some great places to stay outside Sairee - but there's not much to do outside Sairee, either. Then again there's not much to do here besides dive and drink, but I guess that's the attraction for some.

There is lots to do..... .... it just depends on what you like doing!!!!.... but agree about the attraction for some...

Even Mango Bay Resort, would be a nice place to stay for some people, one of the bays for snorkeling ... but definitely a little remote....

or Koh Nang Yuan.....

[JemJem]

Thanks, folks. Wow, especially the last 2 pics look great.

I am always an 'undecided' kind of person (and that sucks ! Hehe). So it will take me some days to decide where in Koh Tao I will go for....hehe. But anyway, first, I am going to Hua Hin and also maybe Prachuab Khirikan at the end of the week. I will be in Koh Tao around the middle of this month so I will have decided by then I guess

[samuijimmy]

Thanks, folks. Wow, especially the last 2 pics look great.

I am always an 'undecided' kind of person (and that sucks ! Hehe). So it will take me some days to decide where in Koh Tao I will go for....hehe. But anyway, first, I am going to Hua Hin and also maybe Prachuab Khirikan at the end of the week. I will be in Koh Tao around the middle of this month so I will have decided by then I guess

Hey!!! after Hua Hin, you'll wish you spent more times on the islands!!!....

The thing is, you may just start off for a night at one place, but if you decide you don't like it, there will be many other choices.... even in peak season, I never found it hard to move on and find somewhere else....

Quite honestly though, you'll probably just "fit in" and enjoy it! Have fun!!!

[JemJem]

Thanks, folks. Wow, especially the last 2 pics look great.

I am always an 'undecided' kind of person (and that sucks ! Hehe). So it will take me some days to decide where in Koh Tao I will go for....hehe. But anyway, first, I am going to Hua Hin and also maybe Prachuab Khirikan at the end of the week. I will be in Koh Tao around the middle of this month so I will have decided by then I guess

Hey!!! after Hua Hin, you'll wish you spent more times on the islands!!!....

The thing is, you may just start off for a night at one place, but if you decide you don't like it, there will be many other choices.... even in peak season, I never found it hard to move on and find somewhere else....

Quite honestly though, you'll probably just "fit in" and enjoy it! Have fun!!!

Thanks. Yeah, I guess you are right. I shouldn't feel lazy to move around.

I know that the seawater in Koh Tao is much better than the seawater in Hua Hin but HH has its other attactions too and it is nearer to Bangkok

Anyway, I will go to both of them this month.