Hello all-

My husband and I finally decided that we would honeymoon in Thailand, so I'm starting to plan for our December trip! A few questions:

1. We are interested in doing some snorkeling, I would prefer from a boat, so we get to see the really good stuff. Has anyone gone with a company they recommend? Would you do a day-trip (Similan or Surin) or would you opt for a live-aboard?

2. Any lodging recommendations would also be greatly appreciated. I am willing to spend a bit more (since this IS our honeymoon) but I'm looking for unique lodging. My idea of a cool place to stay is more jungle-lodge-y with some real culture rather than westernized. I want to look at my room and know I'm in Thailand.

A rough idea of places we're considering going are:
Bankok
Chang Mai
Thai Elephant Conservation Center
South to some (less populated) beaches- Similan/Surin

Thanks in advance for all your help!

1/. The Similans islands are very pristine but, IMO, more suited for diving rather than snorkeling since the best corals are around 10 - 20 meters deep. If you do go there then an overnight trip is recommended over a day trip so that you can explore all the area.

2/. Hotels with a Thai feel and you're willing to spend. For Chiang Mai I highly recommend a Thai villa at the Mandarin Oriental. The two story villas are of the old Thai house design with each villa on it's own land parcel and built using teaks. The whole hotel is built on a theme park like ground but very exclusive and make for a perfect honeymoon. December is the perfect time to be there, cool evenings and warm days. Another choice is the Four Seasons in Chiang Mai but not as opulent as the MO and they don't have a Thai house you can stay in.

December is the high season. Once you choose where you want to be, you should make reservations as soon as possible. Note the weather is much better on the west side of Thailand, Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi and Khao lak than the east side, Ko Samui, etc.

Hanuman is correct about the snorkeling around the Similans and Surin islands. The diving is fantastic, but I didn't see anything that was suitable for snorkeling. Koh Racha, just south of Phuket, might be the better place that fits the bill for you. There are several bays along the east coast that may be good for snorkeling. Perhaps Filmwill can jump in on this point.

Ko Racha was actually a bit of a disappointment for snorkeling. The reefs immediately off the resort were nice--good, but not great..and the supposedly better reefs on the other side of the island were barely accessible due to constant rough seas during our week there. There was no snorkeling by boat anywhere off the island (unless you day-tripped to other islands.)

I've said it a hundred times (and I may sound like a broken record) but I still think, of all the snorkeling I've done in my life, that so far Ko Phi Phi offered the best all-around snorkeling in terms of off-beach snorkeling and boat/day trip snorkels immediately off the island. GREAT visibility, AMAZING sealife, you really cannot go wrong there (provided you go during dry season--which it looks like you are.)

We're big snorkelers, so happy to help in any way I can.

And another broken record here.....Lynda and I too are keen snorkellers and have visited many good snorkel destinations, but have yet to find anywhere that matches up to Phi Phi. December is a good time to visit. Choose somewhere on the north east coast if you are not going to be looking for loads of night-life.

We are considering a trip to Phi Phi the last week of April or 1st week of May. Will the snorkeling still be good off of the shore?