Khao Lak or Koh Tao in Feb?

[JJ_Diver]

Hello! Will be in SE Asia in early Feb, and planning a short 5d, 4n dive trip to Thailand from Singapore.

Researching places to go, but wanted to get some opinions on which is better in February. Will be traveling with a non-diver (snorkeler) so wanted to make sure they're not left out

I was directed to Koh Tao, but it sounds a little commercialized? Found Khao Lak and how several operators that run diving/snorkel day trips to Similan/Surin, and wondering if that's maybe a better location. For context: we like slower, quieter areas where we can just kick back and enjoy the surroundings, and don't drink a lot or care for nightlife/bars. Or... are there any other areas to consider?

Thanks in advance!

 

[JonnieB]

5D/4N isn't a lot of time and with Koh Tao, you'd be wasting a lot of it with transportation logistics. Koh Tao is VERY commercialized as you say. Khao Lak much less so and the logistics are easier (direct flight from Singapore to Phuket and a two hour drive north of the airport. The other option is to stay in Phuket (Rawai area would be convenient...I recommend The Stay Resort or somewhere along Rawai Beach) and do day boat trips to Koh Phi-Phi Island, the Racha Islands, or the King Cruiser-Shark Point-Koh Doc Mai itinerary. The Phi-Phi and Racha trips can also take snorkelers. Rumblefish Adventure or Scuba Nick's are both good shops that can book Phuket day boat trips.

 

[Centrals]

@JJ_Diver
Forget about Phiket except the airport.
Khao Lak is only about 2hrs by bus from Bus Terminal 2. Depending on the time of arrival, you can easily make it on the same day by public or private.
Everything is more expensive in Phi Phi and you need to take the ferry, waste of money and time.
The non diver can go to the rain forest of Khao Sok from Khao Lak.

 

[JJ_Diver]

5D/4N isn't a lot of time and with Koh Tao, you'd be wasting a lot of it with transportation logistics. Koh Tao is VERY commercialized as you say. Khao Lak much less so and the logistics are easier (direct flight from Singapore to Phuket and a two hour drive north of the airport. The other option is to stay in Phuket (Rawai area would be convenient...I recommend The Stay Resort or somewhere along Rawai Beach) and do day boat trips to Koh Phi-Phi Island, the Racha Islands, or the King Cruiser-Shark Point-Koh Doc Mai itinerary. The Phi-Phi and Racha trips can also take snorkelers. Rumblefish Adventure or Scuba Nick's are both good shops that can book Phuket day boat trips.

Thanks for confirming my suspicions about Koh Tao, lol! Noted on the other options offered - much appreciated!

 

[JJ_Diver]

@JJ_Diver
Forget about Phiket except the airport.
Khao Lak is only about 2hrs by bus from Bus Terminal 2. Depending on the time of arrival, you can easily make it on the same day by public or private.
Everything is more expensive in Phi Phi and you need to take the ferry, waste of money and time.
The non diver can go to the rain forest of Khao Sok from Khao Lak.

Thanks for this! Will definitely look into Khao Lak more then.

 

[passeparici]

It is very commun to say Koh Tao is very commercialized but actually it is not so much... Obviously you will not be the only diver there but it is quite well organized and it's a nice island for a few days. I would recommend Koh Chang and BB Divers in the south. They take care of snorkelers and divers. The sites are goods for 2 or 3 days and the island is very nice to see. Kao Lak you have to take a speed boat to go on the diving sites (or it is a bit long with a normal boat) and if there are some waves it is a real pain in the a. Koh Phi Phi is farther to reach but nice to see (a bit crowded for my taste though). Phucket I don't like for diving : too far from the sites with boats overcrowded...

 

[JJ_Diver]

It is very commun to say Koh Tao is very commercialized but actually it is not so much... Obviously you will not be the only diver there but it is quite well organized and it's a nice island for a few days. I would recommend Koh Chang and BB Divers in the south. They take care of snorkelers and divers. The sites are goods for 2 or 3 days and the island is very nice to see. Kao Lak you have to take a speed boat to go on the diving sites (or it is a bit long with a normal boat) and if there are some waves it is a real pain in the a. Koh Phi Phi is farther to reach but nice to see (a bit crowded for my taste though). Phucket I don't like for diving : too far from the sites with boats overcrowded...

Thanks for the recommendation - will def check out Koh Chang, never heard of it!

 

[Centrals]

I went to Koh Chang last Mar and only the wreck of HTMS Chang was interesting. There were far too many snorkellers than divers. Please make sure the boat has nothing to do with snorkeller if you are a keen diver!
The island is quite a distance from Bangkok and involves a short ferry crossing.
There is no way that I will return as a diver.
With 5 days to spare, any unnecessary travelling is not a good idea.

From Singapore, there should be flight to Phuket for Khao Lak and Krabi for Koh Lanta.
Koh Lanta is far more interesting than Koh Chang but the dive sites are far and expensive.
Koh Lipe? Flight to Hat Yai and then transfer(land & sea). The tiny island will be packed with tourists in Feb.
Lunar New Year is from 29th Jan onwards. Koh Lipe also attracts Malaysian tourists. There is a direct ferry from Langkawi.

 

[passeparici]

@Centrals The OP said he is with a snorkeler so...
Also if Koh Chang is not very close to Bangkok it is the same with all the diving sites in Thailand. There is a bus leaving from Bangkok airport that is quite fast. I don't think it is longer (and it might be shorter) than Koh Tao.
Koh Lipe takes more time as the boat to go there is pretty long. The same with Koh Phi Phi.
Also yes the diving sites in Koh Chang are "average", but they are still ok with nice corals. The HTMS Chang is very nice, full of life. So I stand by my recommandation. Koh Chang is worth the trip for a few dives as it is also a nice island to visit (and as February is part of the busy season everywhere, Koh Chang might be a bit less crowded). If you want very nice dives in Thailand, nothing beats a LOB in the Similan and Richelieu Rock.
When I visited Koh Lanta, I found is just ok but I did not dive around it so I cannot speak about it