Koh Sumai in December

[whiteshark]

I will be going to Koh Sumai in December. I was wondering if anyone has been diving there this time of year? How was it? Visibility? Currents? What can we expect to see? Cost? Any help would be appreciated

 

[stevenl]

December is not the best time of year to go to Samui. Normally it will be quite windy with a good chance of rain, and also the waves will be high. This affect the vis, and now and then the boats don't go out. But if you're lucky and the weather is ok, it can be quite nice. I like the island, but I prefer the diving in the Andaman Sea.

 

[Batfish]

Yep, ditto what he said.

The best season for Samui and the East coast is going to be June - September. December is the "cool" season in Phuket, normally no rain, but can have a brisk east wind. The same east wind in Samui means more rain and waves. This season is the "NW monsoon" season. Whan Samui has it's best weather it is conversly the wetter time for Phuket. However, be aware that weather in Thailand is not usually so bad. There are no hurricanes, typhoons or cyclones. It can make for a rough days diving now and then, that's all.

If you're already booked for Samui, well just remember that if the weather is bad when you get there, you can fly daily from Samui to Phuket just an hour away.

 

[whiteshark]

Do you know how much flights are? Would I have to set that up in advance or wing it. We are already planning on going to Koh Tao also but maybe Phuket as well. Thanks again.

 

[RSdiver]

Flight prices will depend on where you are flying from. I'll guess you are flying from Bangkok (BKK) and Bangkok Air has several daily flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui and I recall them being about $100 USD R/T 3 years ago. The less expensive route is to take the overnight train from BKK to Surat Thani (or possibly Chumphon) and then the ferry crossing to Koh Tao, which would total less than $20 USD.

 

[ssra30]

Once you get to Samui, you can take a ferry to Koh Tao. You can also fly direct to Phuket from Samui via Bangkok Airway (I think). Bangkok Airway pretty much have monopoly on Samui flight. BKK-Samui is generally around 7000 bahts ($175) round trip. I don't think Samui-Phuket would be more expensive.
Diving around Samui/Koh Tao is not at its best around December. I was in Koh Tao in January once at viz was generally around 10m. Last April, viz around Koh Tao was 20-30m depending on sites. Diving around Andaman Sea is certainly better around Andaman Sea around December.
You should be able to get all the domestic flights once you arrive in Thailand.