Back from Koh Tao, Thailand

[Gilligan]

I returned today from Koh Tao, Thailand after two of a four week intended stay.

Koh Tao was the least desirable dive location I have visited to date. I saw no reason to remain there for one month. The visibility was mediocre to poor. The variety of marine life is minimal.

I would not recommend Koh Tao as a dive destination.

I'll post some photos and a trip report in the near future.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Sorry to hear about the trip, glad you're back to post though!

 

[Ringo]

Yes, very sorry that you had such a bad trip. Unfortunately it is the popular travel guide books that constantly refer to Koh Tao as the "diving mecca" of Thailand. Also it is a pity that you did not dive elsewhere around Thailand?

 

[SeaYoda]

Sorry about the trip G but I'm glad you're home safe so I can resume my cyberdives with you .

 

[ssra30]

Sorry you did not have a good time. I think most people who stayed a long time on Koh Tao is probably people who rather enjoy the island lifestyle with some diving on the side. I suppose it is nothing new for you I agree that it would drive me nuts if I stay there for a month just for diving. Of course if whale sharks came by, that would be different. I saw 3 different whale sharks in 4 days on 6 dives on one trip. For photographers, I think you would enjoy the Andaman Sea much better than the Gulf of Thailand.

 

[justleesa]

Oh man..that's bad news...I know how you were looking forward to your trip...Glad you're back home safe!

Aloha,
Lisa

 

[Chaseh]

I don't know much about diving Thailand, but I once heard from a friend that certain times of year were much better than others, although I don't remember when were supposed to be good.

Could seasonality have been an issue?

How the heck do you get to go somewhere for a month? ENVY!

 

[smartecosse]

hard to beleive that someone with over a 1000 dives would consider Koh Tao as a dive destination at all. It is basically a training island, thats all. a couple of the of the sites would rate as ok. i supose if you are at chumpon and a whale shark is there then thats good(happened a few times when i have had o/w water students with me!!) sail rock is quite nice but they hardly every go there due to the distance and extra cost involved.
if you like to drink heavily, party all night and do a bit of diving when you are not too wasted then the island is for you otherwise give it a miss. training, its ideal though.

should have come to the other side - andaman. even though we are heading into our low season the diving here is still far superior to Tao. a shame that you didnt enjoy your trip

 

[Gilligan]

I don't know much about diving Thailand, but I once heard from a friend that certain times of year were much better than others, although I don't remember when were supposed to be good.

Could seasonality have been an issue?

How the heck do you get to go somewhere for a month? ENVY!

Season was not an issue with Kho Tao. As "smartecosse" stated it is primarilly a dive training location. It is assembly line diving with most shops limiting you to a 45 minute dive. I dove with Siam Divers who did not restrict me with my dive times.

I didn't go to the Andaman Sea side as it was too late in the season. The feedback I got was the water was already rough.

Koh Tao is a party island for the European 20 something set. Lots of drunks, loud music and loud people.

As for going for a month I am retired. The airfare is the big cost so going for a month makes it worthwhile. I am a budget traveler so I visit places like Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

I will likely return to the Philippines in Sept. The diving was good, the people speak English and the prices are right.

 

[f3nikon]

Philippines is a great choice but September is typhoon season in over there (June to Oct.) Yes the Visayas (Bohol, Cebu etc.) receives less amount of storms compared to Luzon, you can never be sure. Plus it’s most likely you’ll have to enter via Manila.

Primetime diving in the Philippines is from Feb. to the beginning of June, although typhoon Caloy just did a number on Southern Luzon last week (early typhoon). Rainfall is at its lowest at these times (dry season), the runoff from the soil has settled down (great U/W visibility) and calm seas.

This is also the reason dive operators only operate their liveaboards to the Tubbataha Reefs during the months of March to May. Yes you can dive the central Philippines at almost any time of the year, but you will be taking your chances during the rainy season.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubbataha_Reef

http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=653

http://www.atlantishotel.com/scubadiving/liveaboard_tubbataha.htm

http://www.tubbataha.com/tubbataha/

http://www.divephil.com/sulusea/