Thailand or Malaysia?

[bashdem]

Hi people

I have recenlty gained my PADI diving qualification and am looking to take a trip to either Thailand or Malaysia for a well earned diving holiday. I would welcome any advise or preferences on visits to either of these countries. Where is best to dive? Where would be cheaper? Any good resorts? Also, price, as always, is a consideration so does anyone have any ideas where would be cheapest to fly to/dive/eat/drink. Best/cheapest Airlines? Best way of travelling internally? I would be travelling from London and am looking to go mid January for 2 weeks.

I would welcome any advise people have on this issue and would love to hear from people who have travelled to and dived in these countries.

Thanks in advance

Craig

 

[Zept]

...I'd go to the west coast of Thailand: Phi Phi, Phuket or Similans. Phi Phi and Phuket are nice if you want to stay on land and spend some time on the beach, whereas the Similans are normally visited on a liveaboard.

The northeast monsoon will be hitting the Gulf of Thailand, the east coast of peninsula Malaysia and most of Malaysian Borneo, bringing rough seas and poor visability. If you have a strong stomach, you can still dive in some places, but you'll have a better time on the west side of Thailand.

Z

 

[Welshman]

Thailand for me anyday. Having been to both countries I found Thailand much more relaxing. Diving is probably much better in any event.

 

[ssra30]

When exactly are you planning to come? From now till January, I think Thailand, specifically Andaman sea, as mentioned already and Burma Bank (not Thailand but you get on the boat in Thailand to go there) would be better. However after January onward when the monsoon is over in Malaysia, Sipadan, Layang La yang etc also would be a good choice also. It all depends on what kind of thing you want to see. Between Sipadan and Similan, if you want to see nice reefs of lots of color, soft coral, chance to see mantas, whaleshark etc, Similan would be ideal but if you love macro,wall dive, lots of turtles, large school of barracuda, jacks, bumphead parrotfish, Sipadan/Mabul/Kapalai will be hard to beat.

 

[stevenl]

I would choose for Phuket. Most of the reasons are already mentioned, besides those I think that aside from diving, the atmosphere here is much more pleasant.

Birma I would not recommend, due to the support you are giving the government overthere by diving, and due to the fact that the quality of the diving is very unpredictable because of dynamite fishing.

 

[Universal Diver]

They are two very large countries and choice is variable. I just dived in Langkawi, Malaysia. It was nice, vis sucked. Don't think I'll dive there again.

I go to Phuket every year for diving. There are many reasons. I've done some internet research on Sipadan but I feel strongly about Phuket.

For fun and diving....Phuket/Similans

For overall cost....Phuket/Similans

For food....Thai and Malay food are very similar. Cheaper in Thailand.

My vote is.... Phuket, Thailand.

Chris

 

[Tommer]

thumbs up for Similian......

 

[jebong]

Goodness! I think Malaysia - Perhentian is stupendous! No cattle-market type of diving excursion that's for sure. Depending on your idea of fun, My vote is for Perhentian for great diving, pure relaxation, empty beaches... ah! Can't wait for the monsoon is over. I am already there!

 

[DORSETBOY]

Thailand!!! People are very friendly and it's cheap. Diving is also extremely good, I havent been to Malaysia though so I couldnt compare. If you're there for 2 weeks you could do a liveaboard to the similans, Kingfisherdiving run a great boat out ofthe west coast nr phuket and they go up north as far as richelieu rock. It's cheaper on the east coast but weather may not be as good. You can always leave it until you are just about to get into Bangkok and check the weather then as its far cheaper on the east coast than the west and you can still get some very good dives. Good dive shop on east coast would be Asia divers on koh Tao

 

[jebong]

Thailand!!! People are very friendly and it's cheap. Diving is also extremely good, I havent been to Malaysia though so I couldnt compare. If you're there for 2 weeks you could do a liveaboard to the similans, Kingfisherdiving run a great boat out ofthe west coast nr phuket and they go up north as far as richelieu rock. It's cheaper on the east coast but weather may not be as good. You can always leave it until you are just about to get into Bangkok and check the weather then as its far cheaper on the east coast than the west and you can still get some very good dives. Good dive shop on east coast would be Asia divers on koh Tao

Dorsetboy! Next time you are at this part of the world, give Malaysia a chance and check out the diving! Perhentian is really nice, I can vouch for it. Been going there for many many years and almost every month last season! I am hooked

check out www.alualudivers.com if you have the time. cheers