Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia - late Dec through Jan

HI, I'm booked to go to Asia late Dec through late Jan.

So far, I'm thinking/planning two one week dive trips during the month. I'm flying into Singapore, and right now am open as to first dive destination... Any suggestions in Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia for the last week in Dec? Looking for the "best" diving (I know, it's subjective...) to me it's reef quality, macro life etc., not really interested in wrecks. I understand that west coast Thailand and Malaysia probably the best bet, and that many of best places in Indonesia may be "out of season". I've been to the Similans twice, don't want to repeat. So, what do you think?

- Hin Daeng and Hin Muang - but where to stay/go from Koh Lanta, Phi Phi, Krabi?

- Langkawi

- Bali, where, any hotel/diveshop recos?

- Manado? still good at that time of year

- Sipidan, conflicting reports on season here - any first hand experience with Dec/Jan?

- Lankayan

- any other ideas?

Any recommedations and details on possible destinations welcome and appreciated!

I really think Bali is under rated. There is such a large diversity of sites and getting to and from them is easy and REALLY cheap. The major bonus is all the topside culture around. Its a world class dive destination which doesnt revolve around diving. Extremelly rare in my opinion. Also, Manando i believe is all year diving. I wouldnt hesitate to book one week bunaken and one week lembeh if i was just diving. That would be an awesome trip. Also curious about Sipadan in December. I was there in August and it was mind boggling. I cant even begin to describe it, it was so good.

Webhead

Do a search in the trip reports and dive travel forums for your destinations and you'll find quite up to date recommendations for most of your destinations.

Hi Webhead

If I were you I would think twice about Hin Deang Hin, Muang trip. Towards the end of last season March/April 07, the water was extremly cold and according to our local marine biology centre has caused coral bleeching and lots of the non moving reef fish died. Clown fish, Scorpion fish, frogfish etc etc.

The water temperature this season so far seems to be normal but I have friends who have made two trips so far in Oct/Novand they say that things have not improved.

I have also myself noticed the effects, though not as bad , through some of the local Phuket sites and even as far up as Richelieu rock where some of the soft corals have turned white.

Dont want to put a dampner on your plans, but if I were to go I would stay in Koh Lanta.

I would agree about Hin Deang and Hin Muang. (Red and Purple Rocks). I haven't seen for myself, but the papers here are reporting 100% loss of Soft Coral at Hin Daeng and 50% at Hin Muang.

Our Dive Club usually dives South Andaman each March, but this year we have already rescheduled for North Adaman instead.

I kind of agree with about the Similans. If you have dove there twice, I wouldn't be all the eager to return. I was just there, Nov 7-11, and there were 5-6 dive boats at every site we hit. And its still early early in the season. Come January its going to be crowded out there...