Thailand in October?

[Suzana]

Hello All,

I know Thailand has been discussed before – but I am still a bit confused about the time of the year I am going…

…so basically, got a really good deal on a flight in the middle of October – I realise that’s the monsoon period but that it should still be some cool diving to be had. I get the impression that the West Side normally offers the best diving, but that during the Monsoon the East Side can be better?
Is this correct – or is it worth braving the weather and going to the west anyway?

We are also quite keen to go somewhere ‘a bit of the beaten track’ (i.e. not Phuket and similar places).

If anybody could share their experiences and recommendations of any places 'out of season' that would be great!

Thanks,

Suzana

 

[agstreet]

You're correct about monsoon season. The diving is *generally* better on the gulf side than it is on the Andaman side, although I've enjoyed some nice dives in October from Phuket (I've also had some not so nice dives . For Thailand, diving the gulf side pretty much means Ko Samui/Ko Tao. Don't even bother with Pattya. Tioman in Malaysia is also nice, but somewhat overrun with Singaporeans dashing up for a quick diving weekend.

Bankok Air has daily direct flights from Bangkok and Singapore to Ko Samui, so getting there is pretty painless.

On the Andaman side, "out of the way" would probably be Krabi or Phi Phi. Krabi is on the mainland, basically opposite and a little south of Phuket. The Phi Phi islands are between Phuket and the mainland, and are generally reached via ferry from either Phuket or Krabi. They're pretty touristy, but not nearly as much as Phuket, especially in the low season.

 

[diverkim]

Well, most divers agree that the best diving is in the Andaman Sea. But October might not be a little early for the west side but then again the weather might be fine.
Koh Lanta is relatively undeveloped compared to Phuket.
On the east side Koh Samui is quite deveoped now but maybe Koh Tao is still okay. Sail Rock is a nice dive site in the Gulf.

 

[drbill]

I was on Koh Lanta and Koh Tao two years ago. Where I was on Koh Lanta was fairly undeveloped- several miles out of town. I didn't see much diving, but I know there were dive operators there who did dives at the Biddahs, Phi Phi, etc. I was there to relax ands norkle.

Koh Tao appeared to be undergoing more developmernt when I was there. It already is a high density dive area- lots of operators, lots of divers (many newly certified). Dive sites could get crowded. However, I still enjoyed it and would probably return.

Dr. Bill

 

[The Hamburger]

Why does Pattaya's diving get such a bad rap?

Pattaya has some very diverse marine life which I have never seen anywhere else in Thailand.

Seahorses , Decorated Crabs , Demon Stingers , Sand Divers and Slender Sea Moths can all be found in Pattaya. I have never seen any of these in rest of Thailand.

Your chances of seeing a shark in Pattaya are probably greater than your chances of seeing one in the Similan Islands (even if its only a baby nurse shark)

OK it doesn't have 40m Viz and the chances of seeing large pelagics are slim, though a whale shark was there 2 years ago and last time I was there we saw a dolphin.

Suzana,

If you want to dive just about every day on a scenic tropical Island in Thailand , its hard to suggest any where but Koh Tao.

Another suggestion would be Laem Mae Phim.

I am a member of a dive club here in Bangkok and we went to LMP last weekend with a group of 14 , we had a great time but the diving wasn't so hot this time. Viz varied from 5 - 15m , before we have had 20-25m viz and that lovely blue water.

Ask the same question on Damnams Forum and you should get a very informed answer as most people there live and dive in Thailand all year round.

 

[Batfish]

Middle of October can be great, or can be wet on the West coast of Thailand. The Similan Islands open up on 15th October (and some boats seem to have "special permission" to enter from the 1st October).

October is generally an unsettled month weatherwise in all areas as the winds do start to change from West to East. Do not be misled by the word "MONSOON" in Thailand. It is not a time of hurricanes and constant rain. Weather can be very good or it can be bad. You don't have to worry about "braving the weather".

If you want a place "off the beaten track" then Koh Tao is about as beaten as they come! Follow the Hamburgers advice and post on the DamNam forum. On the West side, try Koh Lanta, but in October just about anywhere is a bit quiet.

Just to follow up on Hamuburger. Pattaya always gets a bad rap because most people think of tropical diving as crystal clear waters. What Pattaya has is a lot of rare fish, and a lot less divers than places like Phuket, Phi Phi or Koh Tao. Phuket also gets a bad rap as being too touristy - well yes and no. It's such a big island, that you can stay in tourist hell, or you can stay somewhere quiet. Phuket is a real place with real Thai people, lots of beauftiful areas and many, many beaches. If all you see is Patong beach, I understand the sentiment, but if people would just rent a car or bike for a day and explore, then you start to see the real Phuket. I have lived there for nearly 4 years, try to avoid the major beaches, and I love it here!

Anyway, in summary, get to the West and get to Similan if you're there when it's open. For access to Similan you need to stay in Phuket or Khao Lak.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Suzana]

Thanks for all the answers! This forum is great as always.

Koh Tao sounds pretty interesting will check that out as well as any tips on www.damnam.org.

We will be spending the first week trekking up north. Guess we can just check out a few places on each coast in advance and then be spontaneous and decide depending on the weather forecast.

 

[neilstewart]

hey Suzana,

I can't comment on the time of year for the Similans as I have only been December/Jan but I had a terrfic time on "The Junk" I did check out their web site www.thejunk.com just before making this post and from what I gather they do run 4 night 5 day trips in the Simlians in October and will give you a deal of $360 for the trip if you book 3 months in advance, now that is one hell of a deal for this big, luxury and different liveaboard. See my other posts for reports.

Neil

 

[DIR Tec Diver]

The Junk is top notch, completely awesome. I have dived all over Thailand and personally liked the Similans the best. Consistently blue water, tons of marine life and saw lots of Mantas and Sharks.

 

[RSdiver]

October can be dicey.

In Oct 1997 (El Nino), I did the first Similans liveaboard trip of the season and it was fantastic weather and no other boats around. In Oct 1998 (La Nina) We got 4 inches of rain per day.

A good trip is to do one of the liveaboards into Burma, the diving is far better and a bit more adventurous which is what it sounds like you are looking for.