gffforce

Hi, i'm going to be working in Bangkok for a couple weeks and afterwards (over new years eve) want to spend a week or so on the beach, within a short fligth from BKK. Been wanting a beach vacation and love to snorkel/scuba. From what i've read, Ko Samui is iffy for diving, it sounds like Phuket may be a little better. I'm travelling alone and would like to have some nightlife or be around other people some of the time, so don't want to be TOO remote, though i hear disparaging things about the way Ko Samui's commercialized. Looking for a good mix of relaxation, socializing, nature and scuba. Doesn't even need to be Thailand per se, if there's something else in the neighborhood worth checking out. Also, i don't know my schedule yet totally, and wondering if everything will sell out in advance because of new year, or can i make a decision closer to the date...

Thanks--

gffforce

As i research more it looks like phuket is the place to go, as far as variety of things to do and quality of scuba. i'd like to hear any suggestions for which towns to stay in, i'm now considering Patong and would like to know how to get the best experience there...is it too loud/touristy to stay in the town? or does it just depend what road you're staying on. i'm assuming everything is pretty much up and running since last December's disaster...anyone have any mid-priced hotel suggestions?

KimJapan

Diving in the Similan Islands is supposed be excellent. There are many trips from Phuket, or closer to the Similans is Khao Lak - but not any nightlife to speak of in Khao Lak.

You might actually consider a liveaboard dive trip to the Similan Islands...Poseidon Bungalows has a reasonably priced trip and an excellent reputation. http://www.similantour.nu/

You might start your search for accommodation at sawadee.com - around New Year is absolute peak season, so prices are the highest of the year. You'll need to shop carefully to get the best value.

rhkkmk

hotels may be tough over new years at this late date...but phuket is still suffering so you may do ok....live aboard might be a good option but i suspect expats from all over SEA may descend there on their holidays ....

worth a try....maybe jamesA, our resident expert will chime in here in the next 24 hours with some good suggestions for you

divediva

if i had a week to spend in phuket...i would book a liveaboard dive charter for 3 or 4 nites and then spend the rest of the nights on the beach Kata is nice....but patong is where the nite life is.

andy204

I've heard that Koh Tao is a great place for diving with crystal clear water.Have a friend working for a diving company there and going there to check it out after a few days.Not too many bars I've heard but still a few good places to have fun and meet people.And Koh samui is only abaut a 90 minute boat trip away with some louder nightlife.
Used to live in Phuket never tried diving but the snorkeling wasn't any good there some coral reef at kata beach but nothing special.From phuket you can go to the phi phi islands really beautiful place and my friends who went diving there told me it was great, but have heard alot of trash in the waters close to the beach after the tsunami but maybe its cleaned up by now.Also heard that the similan islands shoud be one of the best diving places but it's a quite long boat trip from phuket and expensive too if i remember right.
Patong is the worst place in phuket in my opinion.Alot of tuk tuk/motorbike drivers, tailors ladyboys... harassing you but where most of the nightlife is meaning ALOT of hookers.
So i woud suggest a Koh tao/Samui trip or then to phuket and from there a few days to the phi phi islands.I like the Kata and Karon beaches best in phuket.
I live in Bangkok and making another trip down to tao and samui in December/Januari give me a mail if you want to come with always more fun going 2 or more.Maybe i can get some discount for the diving.

Nicci

I have gone in diving off of Koh Samui once and Krabi twice. The Phuket/Krabi side was much better for variety of marine life and coral.

If you have time for diving Similan Islands, go for it. It's supposed to be spectacular.