Koh Tao - A Brief Trip Report

[Buadhai]

In my ongoing quest to find a regular and convenient dive spot I went to Koh Tao last week. It was a long trip: Three hours on the bus to Don Meuang Airport (Bangkok). A two hour wait at the airport (the flight was delayed). A 90 minute flight on Solar Air to Chumphon. An hour long bus ride to the Lomprayah Pier. And, finally, about 90 minutes on the ferry to Koh Tao. I left my home at 4:00 AM and got to my hotel about 3:00 PM.

Koh Tao was a bit of a shock. I last dove there in the late 80s on a day trip from Koh Samui. It has changed a bit.

I dove with Master Divers. They are a wonderful crew. They remember your name. They work hard to find out what you want to do and what you are able to do. Special thanks to Wilco who did a yeoman's job of making my antique Oceanic Pro Plus computer play nicely with my new reg set.

My only niggle with Master Divers is their tendency to schedule fun dives for the afternoon. (I know why.) I've always been an early bird. Up at 5:00, run at workout at 6:00 and then by Noon I'm more interested in a nap than a dive. Besides, what's an old man to do all morning on Koh Tao?

Conditions were not great. It was overcast most of the time with some gusty strong winds. Swells got up to a meter or so and it was choppy much of the time. Still, I got some good dives in and, as usual, I had a great time.

Some photos, mostly on the surface, here:

Out and About Thailand: Koh Tao

 

[currier]

My only niggle with Master Divers is their tendency to schedule fun dives for the afternoon. (I know why.) I've always been an early bird. Up at 5:00, run at workout at 6:00 and then by Noon I'm more interested in a nap than a dive. Besides, what's an old man to do all morning on Koh Tao?

I'm with you there, Buadhai! On a dive vacation, I also want to get up good and early and dive. Some others are more interested in going out all night and sleeping in late - you've seen the crowds yourself, surely?

But were boats tending to leave later in the day due to lower numbers? This time of year is a little slower on Koh Tao, no? I was there last August, and some mornings, the boats wouldn't go out because there weren't enough paying customers to get the engine started ...

Thanks for your words on the trip, but Solar Air to Chumphon? Is this new? I didn't realize this option before, but maybe I didn't perform enough research. I've flown to Samui once (too expensive), and on another occassion took the Lomprayah bus to the pier.

 

[DevonDiver]

Thanks for the report and the photos - I've always got nice memories of KT and Master Divers.

Can't see a frogfish? Can see a Juvenile Harlequin Sweetlips.

Nudibranch looks like: Phyllidiella pustulosa

But were boats tending to leave later in the day due to lower numbers? This time of year is a little slower on Koh Tao, no? I was there last August, and some mornings, the boats wouldn't go out because there weren't enough paying customers to get the engine started ...

What used to happen was the MD ran their 'deep' dives after lunch. Thus de-conflicting with the vast majority of dive shops - who all over-crowd the same spots at the same times (particularly Chumporn Pinnacle as dive 1#).http://www.nudipixel.net/species/phyllidiella_pustulosa/

 

[Buadhai]

Thanks for the report and the photos - I've always got nice memories of KT and Master Divers.

Can't see a frogfish? Can see a Juvenile Harlequin Sweetlips.

Nudibranch looks like: Phyllidiella pustulosa

Thank you!

 

[Buadhai]

I'm with you there, Buadhai! On a dive vacation, I also want to get up good and early and dive. Some others are more interested in going out all night and sleeping in late - you've seen the crowds yourself, surely?

Indeed, it's a young person's town.

But were boats tending to leave later in the day due to lower numbers? This time of year is a little slower on Koh Tao, no? I was there last August, and some mornings, the boats wouldn't go out because there weren't enough paying customers to get the engine started ...

No, it was busy enough. Plenty of boats going out early. Master Divers goes out in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. I think they figure that the other boats will be doing the deep part of their profile in the early morning and that those sites will be less busy after lunch.

Thanks for your words on the trip, but Solar Air to Chumphon? Is this new? I didn't realize this option before, but maybe I didn't perform enough research. I've flown to Samui once (too expensive), and on another occassion took the Lomprayah bus to the pier.

I believe Solar Air started this route only in July. The round trip (Bangkok/Koh Tao) was 5100 baht, including air fare, transfer to the pier and the ferry.

 

[lord khram]

This time of year is a little slower on Koh Tao, no? I was there last August, and some mornings, the boats wouldn't go out because there weren't enough paying customers to get the engine started ...

I think that situation may have changed this year, according to some posts on this thread [Thailand in August - Andaman or Gulf? (or: Is Koh Tao really that bad?)] It would appear that KT is now not affected by the general summer downturn in Thai tourism.
These comments actually persuaded me to change my mind on my planned dive trip for next week, and have actually now decided against KT and made arrangements to visit Koh Lanta.

 

[Buadhai]

Although there were plenty of visitors on Koh Tao last week it in no way resembled the sort of gang bang one expects in Pattaya or Patong. I stayed at the south end of Mae Had and very much enjoyed the quiet and tranquil atmosphere. No loud music. No roaring motorcycles. A distinct lack of "lager louts". The nice, quiet bar (Tattoo) across from my hotel was a pleasant place to enjoy a few drinks before bed. Next door is Utopia, a slightly upscale establishment that serves what may be the best burger I've ever had in Thailand.

Well, to each....

 

[DevonDiver]

Is Andy still at the Tattoo bar? Memories.... (albeit hazy ones...)

 

[Buadhai]

Is Andy still at the Tattoo bar? Memories.... (albeit hazy ones...)

Indeed, he is. I enjoyed chatting with him, and, well, just watching him work. He makes a mean Bombay Tonic. (Hazy....)

 

[Edward3c]

I was there in March/April when everything shut down for a week because of the rain. We had navy boats bringing in fuel and food because the ferries stopped running.

5 days of diving in 2 weeks. I'm still not sure whether to give KT another chance or go back to my old haunt out of Ponta Gouda, Belize.

Regards