Diving in Thailand and Bali
 

Need some help with planning our trip to Thailand and Bali. Would like to spend some time diving. Is Phi Phi the best place to go diving. Is the reef accessible from shore? Any recommendations for a hotel. How do we get there from BKK? Same questions for Bali. Thanks for the input--really appreciate the help

With your daughter, right?

In Bali, I can heartily recommend Alam Sari. Our daughter loved it there...we all did. In fact, many of the photos on their website of the Kids and Activities and Classes are us! www.alamsari.com Wood carving, batik, music, dance, cooking...wonderful.

Diving...when are you going on your trip? In Bali, the best diving is in the northwest...the Alam Sari owners, Aprile and Hugh, can perhaps recommend a place for you. Second choice, east Bali, around and north of Amed.

In Thailand, best diving spots are Koh Tao in the summer and Similans in the winter/spring.

In both places, dive sites are accessed by boat. There are a few places you can snorkel from the beach, but not many, and they are generally disappointing.

Poseidon Bungalows in Khao Lak runs a snorkeling liveaboard to the Similans in season.

Agreed on alam sari--looks wonderful. We will book there for sure. The dive places may be a bit difficult to get to. Is diving worthwhile off any of the islands that you can fly to? Thanks again

You can certainly dive in other areas besides the "best" ones. There are countless dive operations in virtually every Thai resort area.

With Alam Sari, if you are interested in the activities, and I hope you are, be sure to make contact about your interests in advance. We were there for 10 days.

The diving in North Bali around Menjangan Island is quite good. You can get there in a day trip from the Ubud area, but it makes a long day. Staying in the North Bali area would be preferable.

There are other areas of Indonesia in which the diving is worldclass. North Sulawesi -- both in the Bunakan and Lembeh straights area -- is profoundly good. Some of the best on the planet. I'd recommend the following: http://www.divekbr.com/