Wanda1

My son will be flying into Bangkok and says he'll walk over to one of the airline counters at the int'l. airport and catch the next flight to Phuket. He's really interested in diving and peaceful time at the beach. he's traveling alone. I'm concerned - I thought I had read that June/July were not good time to go diving. Is this true? Will it be dangerous for him? He is traveling on his own and wants to meet people there his age and relax and dive. Any knowledgeable person out there that can give him some advice? Should he go to another beach for diving and meeting people in June? thanks

JamesA

Is it really just diving and relaxing he is after ?

You are right, he could be lucky with the weather or he could be unlucky. Except for some very basic snorkeling for any real scuba or snorkeling you need to go off-island from Phuket to the Simian or Phi Phi or other dive areas, that means a boat trip quite a way. If the weather turens bad then, if diving is very important to him as you say, it could be a 'wash-out' ( Pun intended ! )

If he want lively and busy commercial place then maybe it would suit if he doesn't mind missing out on the diving.

In June 'the place' for serious diving is Koh tao island. Koh Tao is not the best for beaches but when it comes to scuba and snorkeling and dive resorts with young people 'hanging out', relaxing, few drinks and music, then Koh Tao would be my suggestion. But forget the large discos and nightclubs, evening fun on Koh Tao is very different.
Weatherwsie Koh Tao would be the place.

More expensive to get to as if he flys to Samui and then takes a boat to Koh Tao that means bangkok Airways ( many flights ) or just the 2 Thai flights.

Most take an overnight or daytime combo bus/ferry that costs around US$ 28 each way from bangkok to Koh Tao.

Although there are now some lux places on Koh Tao the majority are there for the 'dive crowd' and if he really want to fit into that genre(?) then Koh Tao would be the place.

It's the differenc between a large busy island and then hoping for ok weather and distance from the popular areas to stay to piers and then boat, or, a 'dive island', that is what Koh Tao really is.

What he could do is perhaps mix Koh Tao with some livelier time on Samui for a few days so he gets the laid back dive island plus a busy island too.

The places are 'very' different.

shanek

Hi Wanda,
JamesA is spot on as usual. A Samui/Tao combination would give your son the ideal combination of excellent diving and beach time in June/July. The time he allocates to each location would be detirmined by how keen he is about diving. Tao offers some amazing spots that are very close to shore and he will be surrounded by like-minded people. The serious dive set would not normally stay on Phuket and the dive Islands around Phuket at that time of year have a much higher chance of poor weather and sea conditions. I would always go to the Gulf Islands at that time of year even though I am not a diver as the beach conditions on Samui in July are ideal.

JamesA

If he does plan on Koh Tao and to fly to Samui would be wise to book a seat, only Bangkok Airways has frequent flight to Samui from Bangkok ( Thai has an early morning and early evening only ). If he 'walks-up' to Bangkok Airways don't expect any special deal, could costs a lot more than booking ahead. Also if he booked ahead and any inbound delay Bangkok Airways probably won't have any worries putting him on the next flight.
If he seaches out Koh Tao he can easily see if that's the sort of place he wants.

Wanda1

Thank you very much. I will pass this on to him. I know he wants to first rest on the beach, then find some people his own age to hang out with then some diving. He's been working very hard and needs some time for R&R and nice companionship He posted himself, but didn't get much of a response. This is good advice. Thanks again.