Similan Islands or Komodo in February

[wxwxw]

I'm currently traveling in SE Asia and am considering to do (my first) liveaboard this month.

I am currently in Thailand. I'm a beginner with 22 logged dives, of which 16 in the past two weeks on Koh Tao.
My initial plan was to get some practice on Koh Tao and then do a liveaboard at Similan Islands. I've already been there to do my OW a couple of years ago and visibily was very good (25+ meters).

But then I read some very good things about Komodo. Supposedly a world class diving site and the only one that's both affordable to reach from here (€120 flight) and has affordable liveaboards (around €1100 for 5 nights / 15 dives all inclusive, with day trips to some islands to see Komodo dragons as well). It's a little more expensive than the liveaboards at Similan Islands, which are around 70% of the price for similar offerings. A third option would be to stay at Scuba Junkie, Komodo and do 15 dives with them from land. But it's only marginally cheaper than the liveaboard.

So what should I do? The extra costs of going to Komodo aren't a big deal for me. And taking into account that it is unlikely for me to be this close to Indonesia in the future, I feel that I might as well take this opportunity and go to a supposedly better site. Maybe hop to Bali on the way there too. I read that even though it's rain season, visibility in Southern Komodo tends to be pretty good in February.

So what should I do? What would you do?

 

[Centrals]

@wxwxw
Some of the dives in Komodo can be a bit challenging even to the experience. You really have to decide for yourself if you can handle "current". Drifting with the current is easy but the occasional down current is something else.
My suggestion:
Similan + Koh Lanta + Koh Lipe.
Leave Komodo until you are more comfortable under water.

BTW, do you have any safety/signalling device eg. SMB?

Enjoy your diving/travelling.

 

[wxwxw]

@wxwxw
Some of the dives in Komodo can be a bit challenging even to the experience. You really have to decide for yourself if you can handle "current". Drifting with the current is easy but the occasional down current is something else.
My suggestion:
Similan + Koh Lanta + Koh Lipe.
Leave Komodo until you are more comfortable under water.

Enjoy your diving/travelling.

Thanks for the advice, but you know the thing is, I can't travel a lot (due to personal circumstances). And I most likely won't dive regularly. If I don't go to Komodo now, it will very likely be never. Also with 16 very recent dives I think I'm probably more comfortable underwater now that I would be with 50 logged dives, unevenly spread over who knows how many years. So for me it's really just about going to the best affordable site on this trip. The liveaboard only requires 5 logged dives, so I'm assuming the conditions won't be too challenging.

 

[Centrals]

Required only 5 logged dive to dive Komodo is insane.
Diving in Thailand is relatively benign as compare with Indonesia and Philippines.
"assuming the conditions won't be too challenging"! That is an dangerous assumption because you had no experience on the issue.

Is it Safe to Dive in Komodo due to Strong Currents?

Manta rays are super gentle marine creature. They can be curious to you and even come close hovering above you. Please make sure you follow the code of conducts from your diving operator.

divekomodo.com

Choose the right time for the LoB.
SJ Komodo is good as there is no schedule to make so easier to plan your itinerary.

Your holiday afterall.

 

[Pearlman]

December is off season and rainy for Bali side of the world. Also with just 5 dives you are better off at Similans and Phuket side …rather than take undue risks too early in one’s diving hobby and then be put off by some dangerous situations it’s best you enjoy the easy dives destinations until you are around 50 dives at least …

 

[Searcaigh]

I second staying in Thailand for the time being until you get more experience.

Komodo currents are exciting but are not for the faint hearted, and some decent buoyancy skills are necessary when diving there. There are a few benign sites, but that's not why the majority of people go to Komodo.

 

[Doc Harry]

It's been more than 10 years since I dove the Similans, but the currents there were pretty strong, too.

 

[Centrals]

It's been more than 10 years since I dove the Similans, but the currents there were pretty strong, too.

I do not recall ever have to deal with down current which is the worst.

 

[wxwxw]

I do not recall ever have to deal with down current which is the worst.

Well, I got a new idea. There's liveaboards going to Similan Islands in 3 days. I'm thinking of doing one of those first, get another 15 dives of practice and then go to Komodo by the end of February. I'll have 30 very recent dives by then. I don't expect to be back to this part of the world anytime soon, so at least this way I'll have some more experience when I get to Komodo.

Also mailed Scuba Junkie @ Komodo, see what they have to say about beginners diving there.

 

[Centrals]

Well, I got a new idea. There's liveaboards going to Similan Islands in 3 days. I'm thinking of doing one of those first, get another 15 dives of practice and then go to Komodo by the end of February. I'll have 30 very recent dives by then. I don't expect to be back to this part of the world anytime soon, so at least this way I'll have some more experience when I get to Komodo.

Also mailed Scuba Junkie @ Komodo, see what they have to say about beginners diving there.

You are not a beginner by the time you arrive at Indonesia after the trip to Similan and with 30 logged dives.
Just be careful and have a nice tripS.