Andaman Islands / SE Asia in November

Weather usually sucks in November in Poland, so I'd like to go some place nice at that time. First half of November would be ideal as I could take advantage of 2 public holidays we have at that time.

I thought about India and than Andaman islands, but I'm not sure if it is ok weatherwise in early November. I'd like to spend some time travelling and several days diving.

Anybody could advise me? Some other places you recommend?

November is just about the end of the SW monsoon season so you have a risk on getting poured on, a few days at a time.

The diving around the Andaman (Indian side) is great although they have also longlined there and the shark population is thinner than before. But the coral is healthy and viz generally nice. There is a great manta site but I'm not sure if it's reachable by land ops.

I've only been on there once on land (3 other times on liveaboards) and stayed on Havelock Island at the Silver Sands and Jungle Resort (I think this has since changed names but can't be sure). On rare occasions, you can see elephants crossing between islands. PLEASE DO NOT pay the guys to do it for a photo op. They beat the elephants silly to do it and it's unnecessary. The one crossing I shot, a calf drowned so the herder could make $20 from a film crew. I don't even look at that tape anymore.

For November, try Indonesia the Raja Empat Islands on a liveaboard or Kri or Sorido resort. There's also another resort opening by Andy Miner. ShawnH and NickJ can fill you in on those. It's in season in Nov and the coral life is amazing. Again pelagics are limited in many places but the queensland groupers are minicooper size. Some nice manta cleaning stations etc.

Thanks.

How about end of November? When can I go to Andaman without risking too much rain?

I find inconsistent information about rainy season on various sites.

Andrzej

It's the tropics, you can get hot sunshine with cool evenings or get pissed on, it's a matter of more in the rainy season. I usually go during Feb/Mar for sea conditions. Never been there in Nov. Can only tell you what I see in Phuket during Nov which is quite close to the Andamans but protected but offshores sometimes.