Phi Phi and somewhere else for mid-August

[Quero]

Koh Samui is easy to get to from Bangkok. The dive boats there do most of their dives around Koh Tao. It's going to be way different from California diving, so you'll probably be happy, though the diving on the Andaman Sea side is generally more interesting to me. Are you on your way right now? You said mid-August, and it's already the third week of August.... (or are you planning for next year?)

 

[OnTheSpot]

Mid September doesn't change the advice already given to be honest. The Andaman side is definitely the better diving but you do take a bit of a chance on the weather. At the moment it's absolutely fine. It is rare that the dive boats can't go out at all even in low season. I'm sure you'll enjoy the diving which ever side you choose.

 

[jjjjeremy]

Plans have changed and we're looking at leaving sometime between now and mid September. We have flexible stand by tickets and keep pushing the trip back due to work, etc.

Right now we're trying to figure out whether Bangkok straight to Koh Samui is better than going to Phi Phi via Phuket just to minimize travel time, but diving in Phi Phi seems better, less expensive. Balls up in the air.

There aren't Phuket>Phi Phi liveaboards running this time of year, correct? I'm guessing weather unpredictability is the reason.

 

[Quero]

There are a couple of 2d/1n trips, yes, but they are dependent mainly on passenger loads. It's often hard to get enough passengers to make a sailing break even. Right now, for example, there's a trip confirmed for Aug 26-27, and one needing just two to confirm for September 2-3. Very nice trip, and a nice boat, too.

 

[jjjjeremy]

Thanks for the info. At this hour, the Sept liveaboard seems a bit too early, and oddly too far away to be certain. We're both greenhorn litigators, and free time is given and taken away from us at a moment's notice without our choosing. All we know is that we'll likely have a couple free weeks sometime between now and the end of October, likely before the end of September.

 

[OnTheSpot]

Jeremy you really don't have to worry too much, at the time of year your going spaces will be available at very short notice. You just need to decide where you're going. Click on the Thailand link in the signature and you'll find extended info on all locations formulated by people who live here. This might help make your mind up.