Similar Alternative To Ko Tao Wanted!

[DORSETBOY]

SIMILAR ALTERNATIVE TO KO TAO WANTED!

Spent several months on and of in Ko Tao last year but would like to dive somewhere else also. Liked the laid back atmosphere there and the general high professionality of the dive operators.

Looking to go somewhere with similar cost but better viz and perhaps some deeper sites, absence of arsey triggerfish not essential but a bonus!

I know I probably can't have it all so I'd probably say cheapness
isn't the no 1 priority.

Any alternative suggestions in S.E Asia please!

 

[japan-diver]

Okinawa, Japan is great deep walls, shallow reefs no nasty trigger fish and the occasional manta or two. Contact www.reefencounters.org for a package with english-speaking divemasters and great boats. Average viz of 60-70ft with most days being 100+

 

[Batfish]

OK, OK it's not in SE Asia but...

You should go to Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras.

The people are great. Diving is just what you need - great vis, some deep wall dives, no triggerfish

I did my DM training there in 1996 and went back in 1998 for the IDC/IE, and stayed until end of 1999. It is a special place and unlike Koh Tao doesn't look like Butlins (OOH! I'll get in trouble for saying that). It has a real life there, real people and is not just 100% unedited backpacker tourism.

I did my courses with Utila Dive Center, and later worked as a DM for them (more or less without pay), also did some work for Captain Morgans, Paradise Divers. Not sure why I left really. I think just got a bit trapped on that little island.

 

[Peter Lim]

Many choices,

From Burma to the west coast of Thailand, such as Similan Islands, Phuket, Hin Daeng, and Koh Lipe.

The west coast of the West Malaysia such as P.Lankawi and the east coast such as from P.Perhentian, P.Redang, P.Lang Tengah, P.Aur, P. Tioman.

Borneo, East Malaysia such as P.Lankayan, P. Kapalai, P. Sipadan, P. Mabul, P.Tiga.

Indonesia, From Bali, Komodo, Lombok, Sangalaki, Manado and more.

PNG, Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Galapagos Islands, Palau Islands and Maldives.

Only problem is time and deep pocket.

 

[DORSETBOY]

Thanks guys, you've certainly given me some great ideas so I'll have to start looking at flight costs asap. If anyone else has any other ideas please lodge your suggestions here!=-)

 

[DeepSeaFox]

In Asia would be Panglao or Malapascua in Philipines.
To a lesser extent Ko Phi Phi on the Andaman Coast.

Costs, Diving, Atmosphere all about the Same as Ko Tao.
Good divesites are a bit closer and a few less divers.

Food isnt as good but everywhere cant be like Thialand ;-)

Many other places mentioned above are nice but not what I would call similar to Ko Tao.

 

[travelem]

I recommend Semporna which is next to Tawau.
You can fly Air Asia to Tawau or take bus from KK to Tawau.

You can enjoy the low cost in Semporna and dive from Semporna to Sipadan on a day trip.

http://www.backpackasia.com/msia/city_east_semporna.html
http://asiaconect.virtualave.net/price.html
http://www.abcmalaysia.com/travel/dv_sbh4.htm
http://www.airasia.com/

 

[jonboy]

I spent some time on thr tarotao national marine park, koh lepi in thailand after a spell on koh tao. The islands are very remote and basic but the diving is pretty much unspoilt. best time to go is just after xmass lots of mantas at one deep pinicle site.

 

[bmag]

You definitely need to consider the Philippines especially if money is even a little bit of an issue. I would recommend Puert Galera (which even has a thai restaurant) and moalboal. Each are pretty mellow places with great diving. Puerto galera has more dives than moalboal and could keep you busier b ut they each have a bit of a social scene which some philippine dive places lack and each are very inexpensive. If you do a lot of dives you could bargain down to $15 or so per dive (or less). $ 10 Rooms are nice and you could go as low as $5 and unlike Thailand beers are about 50 cents. Good restaurants too. Diving is much better in PG than Ko Tao. I thought ko tao was vastly over-rated for diving. You have a tough choice to make!!!!

 

[travelem]

Liquid Adventure in the Philippines
http://www.studenttraveler.com/mag/09-01/philippines.cfm

Puert Galera http://www.sabang-inn.com/

Moalboal http://www.seaquestdivecenter.com/

Bohol http://www.genesisdivers.com/en/dive_bohol_english.html