Thailand Feb-April

[scottdmacd]

Hey everybody!

I'm heading to Thailand for the first time in early Feb. and planning on doing a bunch of diving. I'm torn as to where to start off my diving...I'm debating getting my divemaster rating when i'm down there but am unsure where. There's a great shop in Pattaya called mermaids that I've been in contact with and a few others in Koa Tao. Does anyone have any experience with either area. Also if anyone is planning on being in Thailand around the same time email me at scottdmacd@hotmail.com I'm planning on doing lots of sight seeing and travelling as well... it would be great to hook up with some other divers!!

Thanks for the info!!

 

[The Hamburger]

If it was me , in Feb. I would be heading to Phuket. Nice weather / great diving.

 

[anemony]

Feb - Apr is the season for Andaman side. You will find a lot of diving business in Phuket. After April, go to Thai Gulf.

 

[whitehead]

Maybe you should do some web searching on Pattaya before deciding to go there - just so you do not have a misconception about what it actually is, some people know of its "reputation" and it fits in with what they are looking for - others are horrified by it.

It would not exactly fit into the average persons notion of a "tropical paradise".

I have done a training course with Mermaids (with B2) and it was very good and well taught!

 

[orangeBloke]

At this time of year head for the Phuket side and explore around there. You can do day trips from there or take a liveaboard up to places like the Similan islands or the Burma banks.

The Gulf of Thailand, which contains sites like Pattaya, Koa Tao and Koh Samui, is affected by the North-East monsoon at this time of year. (The monsoon tends to last from around October to April). Pattaya is one of the better protected areas in the gulf but the conditions cannot be guaranteed to be good.

Weigh up what you want from the trip and check out some other forums like http://www.damnam.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=2

 

[ssra30]

Definitely Phuket. If your main priority is scuba diving then I don't think Pattaya is right for you. Pattaya is convinient if you live in Bangkok, if the visibility is 7-8m or more, more often, it actually could be quite an interesting site but visibility is more often horrible rather than decent. I dive in Pattaya rarely nowaday eventhough it is only a little over an hour away from Bangkok. There are a few interesting sites that are worth a visit but if you come all the way to Thailand for diving, I think you better off going to the Andaman.

 

[ahplee]

My husband & I are planning a liveaboard on the Viking for 10 days. We are trying to figure out our budget for the trip and we had a question that hopefully someone can help answer. What should the gratuity be?? Thanks...

 

[RSdiver]

If you can arrange it, get on aliveaboard that goes from Phuket to Burma - a very nice trip!
If not INSIST on diving Ricieulieu Rock on the border of Thailand-Burma.
This time of year brings Mantas and Whale sharks

 

[Ringo]

Definitely not the right time of the year for Koh Tao and Pattaya is not indicative of your tropical paradise - if that's what you are looking for. February is a good month to go to Phuket and try do a Liveaboard cruise to The Similans/Richelieu Rock. Well worth it!!! Patong is quite hectic and if you are looking for something quieter try Karon, Kata or Kata Noi beaches. There are many dive operations on Phuket. Just check them out and see who you like. But remember that with the cheaper operations you get what you pay for.

 

[DORSETBOY]

Also bear in mind that reefs on koh tao are still recovering and with dive prices now fixed on the island at a MIN of 700 baht, you can get better value elsewhere.