Looking for Recommendations for Luxury Resorts for Multi Family Group

[SmashMonkey]

I don't have any experience diving in Thailand and need some advice where to even start looking. Phuket has been suggested. Trying to plan a multi family vacation with mostly non-divers, and a few divers for a week long holiday around New Year. Divers would be interested in shore diving or day boat trips. Looking for 4-5 star international resorts with activities to keep adults and children entertained and nearby convenient diving. Appreciate any advice.

 

[JonnieB]

If day boats with 60-70 other divers onboard is your thing you'll love Phuket over New Years. Unfortunately for you, most of the 5 & 6 star resorts are located in the central and northern part of the island, pretty far from the day boat pier in the south (Chalong). For shore diving, the primary option is Kata Bay and it's north reef. Kata Beach is actually one of the better beaches in the island with clean sand, shallow water with no surf in January, and watersports and food options for non-divers. Maybe search the online booking sites for a nice resort in Kata or Kata Noi or look up the Le Meridien Resort in Karon (also a small shore dive site). I've have many posts here on Phuket and Kata diving so you can search for them here as well.

 

[Centrals]

Forgot to mention jelly fish!!

I don't have any experience diving in Thailand and need some advice where to even start looking. Phuket has been suggested. Trying to plan a multi family vacation with mostly non-divers, and a few divers for a week long holiday around New Year. Divers would be interested in shore diving or day boat trips. Looking for 4-5 star international resorts with activities to keep adults and children entertained and nearby convenient diving. Appreciate any advice.

The whole Kingdom will be very busy at that time.
Day trip out from Phuket is expensive and uninteresting. AFAIAC, it is waste of money and time.
Koh Chang.
Koh Lipe is not worth the bother with only 1 week.
If you flight arrives in the morning then you should be able to reach the Koh Chang on the same day. There is no need to fly.
Diving is not that great though.

 

[Centrals]

Another option is Khao Lak + Khao Sok
Khao Lak is about 2hrs by public bus from Phuket. Use it as the base for daily speed boat ride to dive Similan.

Khao Sok National Park - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[SmashMonkey]

This is great, appreciate the tips! In Phuket I've been looking at the Marriott Merlin Beach and Le Meridien Phuket which both have house reefs off their beaches. Khao Lak also looks like a good choice and there's a JW Marriott right there. We're resigned to the fact that it's going to be really busy peak season. What's the difference in the vibe between Phuket and Khao Lak in terms of diving/snorkeling and regular tourist activities?

 

[Centrals]

Day trip to dive Similan from Khao Lak.
The place is generally more laid back than Phuket. Too quiet to some people!

"Regular tourist activities"? Some of those readily available in Phuket eg. Kata and Patong are off limited here!!!
For Nature lovers, there is nothing to beat Khao Sok National Park.

 

[JonnieB]

Khao Lak is about an hour north of Phuket and it is pretty laid back compared to Phuket. There are some national parks in the area so activities for both divers and non-divers. It is also the jumping off point for LOBs to the Similan and Surin national marine parks. There are also speed boat day trips to the Similans and Richelieu Rock. There is also local shore diving and trips to the nearby Boonsong Wreck. I'd recommend Local Dive Khao Lak for local dives. There is some pretty good macro at some of the local sites.

 

[Centrals]

LOL.
Just stay away from Phuket unless looking for seedy night life in eg. Kata or Patong.

Khao Lak - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Really hit hard by the tsunami in 2004. There is a museum dedicated to the painful event, 4000 perished.