rodmunch Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 I am new to living in Bangkok. I was thinking about spending the next 2 or 3 day weekend to go visit one of the beaches/islands. I'd like to visit one not to far from Bangkok. I'd like to try out scuba diving. I also would like to see wildlife like turtles or even sharks if possible. It would also be a nice plus if the beach was at least somewhat secluded and I could have more space to myself From what I know, only Hua Hin is close to Bangkok but you can't really scuba dive or see turtles there. But apparently its possible in Khao Lak. Are there any other options? Is Khao Lak decent for what I'm looking for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 14 minutes ago, rodmunch said: Khao Lak You are aware that Khao Lak is about 600 km as the crow flies from Bangkok? "Not to far" with your requirements? Hopefully someone has an idea. Cheap domestic flights are available and I think you need to consider flying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodmunch Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 Oops, I didn't realize it was that far. In that case, I am willing to take a flight So which island is best for scuba diving and watching turtles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Khao Lak is not an option for diving this time of year. Easiest: fly to Phuket or Krabi and dive from there. No turtle guarantee though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 23 hours ago, rodmunch said: Oops, I didn't realize it was that far. In that case, I am willing to take a flight That happens often. People underestimate the distances here. Total distance northernmost to southernmost is about 1600 km (1000 miles). Bangkok to southernmost about 900 km. (all "as the crow flies", longer on the road) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samuijimmy Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Just thinking about turtles, don't they only show up in coastal areas when they lay their eggs in same area they were born? ..... When is that? Seems to my memory that they are out to sea for a long time before returning.??? For fish and coral in the sea, Koh Toa is pretty good. Only every seen one turtle in 12 years around the islands and sadly it was dead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shasta55 Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 (edited) One spot that is rarely mentioned in these threads is the islands off the southern tip of Koh Chang. Clear waters, lots of fish varieties and corals. I didn't spot any but the boat boys reckon turtles are sometimes seen. Easy to arrange day trips on the main island. Edited May 24, 2017 by Shasta55 Grammar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucjoker Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 You should go and have a look in the "Thaw-island" bar ,they have all kind of fishy things in there......even sharks you can touch with your bare fingers ! They have special seclude spaces for you,where you can more space for yourself. In 2-3 days you will be satisfied and hooked for life . Just a thought ............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzmurray Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 On 5/15/2017 at 11:14 AM, rodmunch said: I'd like to try out scuba diving. I also would like to see wildlife like turtles or even sharks if possible. Maybe walk before you can run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtof2 Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Difficult to see turtles in Thailand and close to Bangkok no way. You may want to try the Similian but quite a trip to go there. As mentioned by many, Koh Tao is a great island for scuba diving and diving. Corals, fishes and and black tip reef sharks. Personnaly, I haven't see any turtle in Thailand but in Malaysia : Perhentians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodmunch Posted May 24, 2017 Author Share Posted May 24, 2017 54 minutes ago, xtof2 said: As mentioned by many, Koh Tao is a great island for scuba diving and diving. Corals, fishes and and black tip reef sharks. Personnaly, I haven't see any turtle in Thailand but in Malaysia : Perhentians. I checked the flights to Koh Samui or Chumphon, and the prices are too high. However, the flights to Phuket are still at a decent price What islands are close enough to Phuket that offer nice wildlife and are suitable for beginner scuba divers on a 2 day trip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foexie Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Don't forget that lot's of islands ( national parks) are closed since a few weeks and back open in october or november. And i think it's on some of those where you can find turtles. If you take a promotion flight, traveling is reasonable priced and, i think, that almost everything is with in a time range of about 3-5h (i mean including transportation, check in and out at the airport, etc). Maybe these will be helpfull: https://divezone.net/diving/thailand http://www.divetheworldthailand.com/thailand-scuba-diving-sites.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samuijimmy Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 one off topic troll post removed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 13 hours ago, xtof2 said: Difficult to see turtles in Thailand and close to Bangkok no way. You may want to try the Similian but quite a trip to go there. As mentioned by many, Koh Tao is a great island for scuba diving and diving. Corals, fishes and and black tip reef sharks. Personnaly, I haven't see any turtle in Thailand but in Malaysia : Perhentians. Koh Tao is a cheap island to get a dive certification, but great for diving: NO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodmunch Posted May 25, 2017 Author Share Posted May 25, 2017 23 minutes ago, stevenl said: Koh Tao is a cheap island to get a dive certification, but great for diving: NO. That's what I thought. So where is a good island that I can go to this weekend for beginner diving? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Fly to Krabi or Phuket, and dive from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodmunch Posted May 25, 2017 Author Share Posted May 25, 2017 but it looks like there's going to be some rain in Phuket or Krabi. I don't know if that's serious enough to prevent people from diving? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 23 minutes ago, rodmunch said: but it looks like there's going to be some rain in Phuket or Krabi. I don't know if that's serious enough to prevent people from diving? Those forecasts are unreliable. Rain does not stop people from diving, winds though can prevent it. For the upcoming weekend the weather looks good according to Windguru. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samuijimmy Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 8 hours ago, rodmunch said: That's what I thought. So where is a good island that I can go to this weekend for beginner diving? I have to disagree that Koh Toa is not good for beginner divers, many visitors do there training there. Mango Bay or Lighthouse Bay. a little further out is Sail Rock, which is supposed to be excellent .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Explorer Instructor Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 It's not a beach but you can see 2-3 turtles on a drift dive (normally a drift) on kho khrok in Pattaya. They have been there for years normally can see 1 in the same place or swimming close to the same place Not really breach (shore) diving in Thailand gulf in general is shallow. Haven't seen sea snake here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quandow Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 On 5/23/2017 at 11:49 AM, rodmunch said: Oops, I didn't realize it was that far. In that case, I am willing to take a flight So which island is best for scuba diving and watching turtles? Understand that you should spend at LEAST 24 hours and new tests recommend 36-48 hours between diving and flying, so plan a day or two after your diving to fly back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quandow Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 On 5/24/2017 at 6:01 PM, muzmurray said: Maybe walk before you can run. Find a PADI dive shop and sign up for a day program called "Discover Scuba." They give you a mini-lesson, enough to get you in the water safely, and pair you up with an Instructor or Divemaster. If you like it, the lesson and dives are credited to getting you an Open Water certification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodmunch Posted June 1, 2017 Author Share Posted June 1, 2017 what about Koh Lanta? The weather forecast shows there won't be too much rain this weekend and next weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 12 hours ago, rodmunch said: what about Koh Lanta? The weather forecast shows there won't be too much rain this weekend and next weekend Sure you can go there as well. Takes more time to get there though compared to Phuket and Ao Nang.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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