Question Best place for January diving over Lunar New Year

[Hanoi Jake]

I'm a recently certified open water diver, wanting to get padi advanced certificate and a variety of dive experiences (wreck, large fish, reefs) over Lunar new year end of January, while my wife enjoys a nice 4-5 star resort by the pool with snorkeling options. Dives should be half day, so no long boat rides to other islands that take all day. We don't like party or noisy places, prefer peace & serene places. What do you recommend for that time of year? Thank you very much!

 

[Centrals]

Prerequisite:
1. No long boat rides.
2. Quiet place.

Koh Chang, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi and Phuket are OUT.

What else available?
Khao Lak. But the dive at Similan is out and there aren't that many interesting sites around the area.
Koh Tao? Unfortunately it is the wrong time of the year otherwise it should suit the requirement. Some people might consider Jan is acceptable to dive Koh Tao.

Good luck.