I will be taking a trip with a friend to Singapore/Thailand/Malaysia. We will be flying in and out of Singapore, and will be back packing up through Malaysia and up to Koh Samui and planning on hitting up the Full Moon Party. I would like to also get some days of diving in. The otptions that I really see are: 4 day liveaboard to the Similan Islands or 4 days diving around Koh Samui. I have been to a lot of good locations (Galapagos, Fiji, Lembeh) and would like the diving to be worth while. My friend is somewhat new to diving, but has dove in Australia. Any suggestions? I have heard Koh Samui is not that great? Are there any other locations I should be looking into? I have about a 4/5 day period to sneak the diving into, so I think that would rule out Sipidan or Indonesia, but any input is well appreciated. Thanks a lot,
Brett
You should also look into Hin Daeng and Hin Muang to the South. Probably a better choice than Koh Samui for diving...
When is this trip? The full moon parties are on Had Rin in Ko Phangan. If you don't want to head to the west coast, there are only really 2 sites worth diving. Chumporn Pinnacles and to a lesser extent, Sailrock.
The liveaboard in Similan will give you better diving. The Colonna is a very nice budget boat. But as Matt says, Hin Daeng and Muang are also nice sites and can be accessed by liveaboard from Phuket.
Sites around Phi Phi with Hin Daeng/Muang are the best I know of around there. I am not a big fan of the Similans but they are OK. Out of Singapore you can easily do a killer 4/5 day trip (or even less) to Bali and dive the East coast. I think the diving there is superior to what I have found in Thailand on average by quite a bit (although I have had some really awesome days in Thailand also!). If your friend is new to diving then anything in SE Asia will probably be amazing
Have fun!!
I was in thailand a few years ago on a live aboard .We did local sites, and went north into myramar waters. I found the local sites reachable by day boats crowded, and over dived. Past those sites the diving was well worth it, great macro and wide angle.
I would definately do a liveaboard in the Similan Islands. This is the best diving.
Koh Sumui is a fun island but the good diving (Champhon Pinnicles) is an all day boat ride 7-7 for just two dives. If you are staying on Koh Tau for the moon party it may be a little shorter ride.
Phuket is a little more built up than Koh Sumui and also fun but the diving is still an all day boat ride.
Another vote for the live-aboard. At my site there is a trip report, gallery and slide show or our trip last year: www.aquabluedreams.com
I plan on doing a similar trip next May/June. The plan is for 5 weeks to get our DMs in Redang. Then do 3 days each at Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao. I have never been to any of these locals, so we'll see.
