Planning a trip to Thailand in December... would love some intel..

Ola all -

Was wondering if anyone has had any recent experiences in/around Phuket that are worth traveling to from Australia? We are looking at holiday options for the end of December (during xmas time) and wouldn't mind taking a trip out to Thailand to check out the sites there.. we have narrowed down our options to the following:

1) Similan Islands + "bonus" liveaboard

- Looking at different liveaboard outfits, i think we want to go for maybe 5 days (maybe more?) depending on where we go and what we see

- would definitely love to see Richelieu Rock + dives around Similan Island itself, but happy to hear about experiences/referrals that anyone may have !

2) Krabi area + Red/Purple Rock

- am a bit concerned about the posts on wetpixel re: 100% coral death over the last couple of years.. was wondering if anyone had any recent experiences to report what's been going on?? does anyone know what kind of fish life is about during that time?

- Also curious about land based activities

Thanks to any wetpixellers who can share some information about the area !

Hin Muang/Daeng are ok. In fact, there were rhinopia frondosa there in May. The coral growth isn't what it was, say in the 90s, but I think that has a lot to do with ocean temp changes. It's still pretty. It was damaged by fishermen. It's not really whaleshark season in Dec but you get some pelagics like tuna and GT and the odd turtle and manta but it's not reliable. Coral life is pretty good.

X'mas in Richelieu/Similan is like diving with 200 people on the same site. Not my thing. I stay away from Myanmar waters in protest over the Junta government so I can't give you an update on that area.

I agree with what Drew said. I just did some dives off Phuket and they were pretty good, coral looked healthy, etc..

The Similans are best enjoyed on a live aboard, but it will be very crowded in December.

In February I am planning a trip to Krabi/Koh Lanta and will do my diving from there.

For other activities, Phuket is the big tourist destination, but its too touristy for me, especially Patong beach. Now I prefer to go to Koh Lanta, much quieter and laid back (but no night life).

Depending on the time you have, one option is to split your trip up between Phuket, Phi Phi island and Koh Lanta. Its a 2 hour ferry ride between Phuket-Phi Phi, and Phi Phi-Koh Lanta. And each has its own nearby diving.

I dove Phuket in early 2008, and had a great time. Really gorgeous area. I second the notion that Phuket itself is tourist hell, however, but no complaints about the diving.

If you want an native English-speaking (American Ex-Pat) guide, I can highly recommend Marcia at ,Gekko Scuba Divers (http://www.gekkoscubadivers.com/) based in Phuket. Very reasonable prices, can handle all the details for you, and lets you avoid diving in crowds, and sqeaks around some of the more onerous rules on some of the dive boats.

Phuket is great, if you want the hustle and bustle it is there ( down south )if you want peace and empty beaches it is there as well ( up north ), the Allamanda Lagunais a lovely hotel away from all the crowds.Or if you want real luxury then get a room at Amanpuriat Pansea bay. Another option would be to go Racha Yai and my choice there would be Ban Rayaand you will be close so that you can dive Racha Noi. If you do decide on Ko Lanta, dive with Lanta Divers. A very well run dive operation with several boats. They do 2 tank day trips out to Hin Daeng and Min Muang. Again though these places do get crowded. Phi Phi is beautiful with average diving. But there are some good sites a boat ride away. The quality of liveaboards vary in the Similan/Surin island so do you home work. I would recommend the Mermaid 1 and 2

Have a look at this website for all the info you could want. sawadee.com

Stew

I dove Similans and Hin Daeng/ Hin Muang in November 2007. I had a GREAT time.

You seem to have the right idea about the various areas.

Drew has a point about it being crowded at some dive sites in the Similans -- you have to adjust your expectations. It can be a zoo at some dive sites (cough-Elephant Rock-cough), almost to the point of skipping the dive; others, you'll be the only boat. Just depends.

As far as photography goes, the Similans were really good for pretty coral (mix of soft and hard) and fish. Pretty blue water, tons of fish. Big fish, little fish, all kinds of fish. Way healthier reef than I expected, based on the number of visitors. We had good to great viz. And both times our boat went to Hin Daeng/Hin Muang (I did 3 back to back charters), we had mantas. One of those times was the best manta encounter ever, by alot (everybody on the boat was blown away). And the similans had lots of creatures like (very large) paired cuttlefish. Good place for a medium length zoom lense.

As far as macro stuff, I didn't see as many small critters as I would have hoped; granted, I didn't have a spotter, due to the way our trip was organized. Saw some Mantis Shrimp, anemone shrimp, things like that, but not tons. I hear there are pigmy seahorses there now though, and some frog fish. And the sea snakes are fairly common and really fun.

If I were you, I'd do a 6 day Similans cruise (the 6 day cruises go to Richilieu Rock, while still allowing a good amount of time in the Similans), followed by a 2 day HD/HM extension. (Our boat seemed to do a pattern - 6 day similans, 2 day HD/HM, 4 day similans, 3 day Phi Phi/HD/HM, repeat.)

I went to Mergui, and loved it, but that was way back in 2005. Lots of green water full of nutrients, and consequently, lots of life. Not sure what the situation is like now though.

The one thing you have to hand it to the Thais for is the level of service on the boats. And they make it so relaxing and fun-yet-safe. I loved the entire experience.

PM me if you want recommendation for boats.

Oh, and yeah, I didn't like Phuket much either. . . stay in Kata or Karon beach for your overnights.

Susan

Oh, and yeah, I didn't like Phuket much either. . . stay in Kata or Karon beach for your overnights.

I stayed in Karon beach (right on the border of the two, actually), and didn't care for it, either. Worth it for the diving, of course, but I enjoyed pretty much every area of Thailand I visited other than Phuket more. (On land, at least)

If you do go out of Phuket, be sure to check out Shark Point and Anemone Reef. Really spectacular stuff. I was underwhelmed with King Cruiser.

Thanks to all for the advice - we have made a u-turn and actually decided to travel to the Philippines for Christmas!

Next time tho, we know the right places to hit up in Thailand :-)

Cheers!