Hi, we're going to Thailand the first week in March 2005 for our honeymoon and would like to know the best places to snorkel during this time.

We haven't finalized our itinerarly for the islands but are thinking Koh Phi Phi (Phi Phi Island Village), Krabi, Ko Tao, and maybe the Similan Islands. We won't have time for all. But if we know where the best snorkeling would be during this time that will help us finalize where we should really go.

Thank you so much for your help!!

March is good for all the places, as the rainy season ends some months before, so water clarity is good.

I like the Ko Tao area a lot. My only comment is that accommodations may not be as plentiful or as nice as you will find on Phuket or Koh Samui. I have only dived the Ko Tao area from a liveaboard board, so can't say for sure, perhaps others have recommendations.. If you stay on Koh Samui, I don't know how doable Ko Tao is fro a day trip, as it could be a long boat ride out at back.

I have snorkeled and dived a lot in the Phuket area. The best you will find is on deserted islands. There is some snorkeling off of Phi Phi, but IMO you are better off getting a boat and going to uninhabited islands nearby. Same with Krabi, I think there is even less snorkeling right from the beaches there. There is very little snorkeling right off the beach of Phuket, perhaps towards the southern end of the island which is less developed. However, really in all those places including I would think KO Tao the best thing to do is hire a boat for the day, and ask the boatman to take you to the best places. They all know the good places.

I think the Similans are kind of far for a day trip, you need to be on a liveaboard group dive boat or charter you own boat with berths. It would be worth the trip, but I am not sure if this is what you have in mind.

You should consider getting certified fro scuba diving before you go, as the diving really is excellent and you can see so much more at 40 feet than you can from the surface. Water is warm so you don't need wetsuits and the clarity of the water, and abundant fish and coral life is really something.