Krabi, Koh Tao or Phuket?

[rabe]

So, I'm going in thailand (for the first time) at the end of April, and I'll do my Tec45 course, plus I'll have some nice and easy diving with my lady.
I've found tec instructors available in those 3 spots: which one should I choose?
Thanks!

 

[stevenl]

Best diving in the Andaman Sea.

 

[Barmaglot]

If you want prettier reefs, go to Andaman sea. If you prefer easier diving, with no currents and short boat rides (20 minutes as opposed to 2-3 hours), go to Koh Tao. If your vacation is longer than a week, you may opt to do both, as transferring from Koh Tao to Phuket or Krabi is fairly easy. Your location is listed as Brisbane - are you flying in to Bangkok, Phuket, or some other airport?

 

[Bubble Junky]

Of those three areas, I would prefer Krabi, maybe with a few days on Koh Lanta too...

 

[divinh]

End of April... isn't it monsoon season on the Andaman side, thus affecting Krabi and Phuket? What about dive site closures?

 

[Barmaglot]

I did Similans last year April 11-15, weather was perfect.

 

[divinh]

I did Similans last year April 11-15, weather was perfect.

That's great to hear. The last time I was there, Koh Lanta in March 2016, the number of divers dwindled as the month went on and I was told they were entering low season due to monsoons. I was thinking of going again this year, but didn't get organized enough for March and ruled out April til September.

Any dive site temporary closures for preservation? Koh Haa, Hin Daeng, and Hin Muang?

 

[Barmaglot]

Unlike Similans, I believe that Koh Lanta sites (Koh Haa, Koh Bida, Hin Daeng/Hin Muang) are open year round, although operators' schedules may change. Here, for example, is one the local shops' overview: Diving in Low Season - Trips Schedule, Diving Conditions & Weather - scubafish.com

 

[Bubble Junky]

Hin Daeng and Koh Ha would be closed from April 15th until October 15th, but the Phi Phi (Bidas, Kled Kaeow Wreck etc) and local Krabi sites would still be accessible.

 

[divinh]

Unlike Similans, I believe that Koh Lanta sites (Koh Haa, Koh Bida, Hin Daeng/Hin Muang) are open year round, although operators' schedules may change. Here, for example, is one the local shops' overview: Diving in Low Season - Trips Schedule, Diving Conditions & Weather - scubafish.com

Ah, April could be okay, but May-October might have bouts of rain, with September-October being the most likelihood of days of rain back-to-back.