Koh Tao

Hi there,

we will stay on Koh Tao from 5.-22. of April. We have never been to
Thailand before, let alone Koh Tao AND we are PADI OWD freshmen, so
it's safe to call us bloody rookies.

We already found a lot of info googleing rec.scuba.locations and the
net but there are some questions left:

1. Is the beginning of April a good diving time on Koh Tao? Do we have
to expect rough water, low vis or something?

2. We'll stay at the Beach Club resort. Good choice?

3. We read that the dive spots at Koh Tao - especially those suitable
for beginners - are crowded most of the time. Any hints?

4. We are a group of four. As I said, we are diving beginners but we
don't plan to attend yet another course (AOWD or something). We would
prefer to just "fun-dive" but certainly need someone to look after us

Is that possible, if so - where?

Thanks for your time!
Torsten

"Torsten" <torsten.welches@gerling.de> wrote in message
news:d8d93d81.0403250230.6490d11d@posting.google.c om...
> Hi there,
>
> we will stay on Koh Tao from 5.-22. of April. We have never been to
> Thailand before, let alone Koh Tao AND we are PADI OWD freshmen, so
> it's safe to call us bloody rookies.

You will love it!

>
> We already found a lot of info googleing rec.scuba.locations and the
> net but there are some questions left:
>
> 1. Is the beginning of April a good diving time on Koh Tao?

Yes.

> Do we have
> to expect rough water, low vis or something?

Low vis probably, but Kramer is the best guy to tell you about that.

>
> 2. We'll stay at the Beach Club resort. Good choice?

Sorry, don't know it. Is it in Sairee area?

>
> 3. We read that the dive spots at Koh Tao - especially those suitable
> for beginners - are crowded most of the time. Any hints?

Get used to it.

>
> 4. We are a group of four. As I said, we are diving beginners but we
> don't plan to attend yet another course (AOWD or something). We would
> prefer to just "fun-dive" but certainly need someone to look after us
>
> Is that possible, if so - where?

Does your resort have an onsite dive operation?

>
> Thanks for your time!
> Torsten

"Torsten" <torsten.welches@gerling.de> wrote in message
news:d8d93d81.0403250230.6490d11d@posting.google.c om...
> Hi there,
>
> we will stay on Koh Tao from 5.-22. of April. We have never been to
> Thailand before, let alone Koh Tao AND we are PADI OWD freshmen, so
> it's safe to call us bloody rookies.
>

By the way, Torsten, how are you planning on getting to the island?

> >> 2. We'll stay at the Beach Club resort. Good choice?
> >Sorry, don't know it. Is it in Sairee area?
>
> It's on Mae Haad, near the harbor.
>
> >Does your resort have an onsite dive operation?
>
> I am not sure but I doubt it. They don't have a homepage or something.
>
> > By the way, Torsten, how are you planning on getting to the island?
>
> arg, don't ask! Will be a >30h trip - Cologne, Frankfurt,
> Singapur, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Tao with hour-long stop-overs both
> in Singapur and Bangkok. We'll take it as an adventure
> We will try to catch a Catamaran from Koh Samui, we heard that's much
> more comfortable.
>
> Thanks for your reply!
> Torsten

*****
One good choice is a NIGHT BOAT from Surat Thani.
That's how I went to Tao last Autumn many times =)
It cost 500 Tbaht and takes about 8-9 hours. Boat
leaves from Surat Thani every night 11PM and is in Tao
in the morning. It is real adventure! Usually those boats
are grounded by back baggers and you should be in the
harbour on time to get a place (mattress and pillow), but
it's worth it! Even there is lots of cockroachs and it could
be a little bit noisy to sleep (I recommend hearing protectors),
you can only experience that in Thailand =)

> We will try to catch a Catamaran from Koh Samui, we heard that's much
> more comfortable.

Yeah, it's comfortable choice. Lomproyah Catamaran from Samui
cost 450 Tbaht and takes 1,5 hours to Tao =) It leaves from
Maenam beach and you can buy tickets almost everywhere in Samui.
Transport from hotel is included to the price.

Hope you enjoy your time in Tao, I surely did and that's why
we are going again in the end of this year!

/sari

"Torsten" <torsten.welches@gerling.de> wrote in message
news:d8d93d81.0403280053.485fe256@posting.google.c om...
> "chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada> wrote
> (snip)> We will try to catch a Catamaran from Koh Samui, we heard that's
much
> more comfortable.

Couldn't agree more and that was what I was getting at anyway. :^)

>
> Thanks for your reply!

You are more than welcome.

"Sari" <sari.katainen@!REMOVE!THIS!pp.inet.fi> wrote
> One good choice is a NIGHT BOAT from Surat Thani.
> That's how I went to Tao last Autumn many times =)
> It cost 500 Tbaht and takes about 8-9 hours. Boat
> leaves from Surat Thani every night 11PM and is in Tao
> in the morning. It is real adventure! Usually those boats
> are grounded by back baggers and you should be in the
> harbour on time to get a place (mattress and pillow), but
> it's worth it! Even there is lots of cockroachs and it could
> be a little bit noisy to sleep (I recommend hearing protectors),
> you can only experience that in Thailand =)

Hi Sari,

thanks for your reply. We are a group of four, one of which is a girl
- and most girls can't stand cockroaches, you know... )

Thanks again!
Torsten

"Torsten" <torsten.welches@gerling.de> wrote in message
news:d8d93d81.0403250230.6490d11d@posting.google.c om...
> Hi there,
>
> we will stay on Koh Tao from 5.-22. of April. We have never been to
> Thailand before, let alone Koh Tao AND we are PADI OWD freshmen, so
> it's safe to call us bloody rookies.
>
> We already found a lot of info googleing rec.scuba.locations and the
> net but there are some questions left:
>
> 1. Is the beginning of April a good diving time on Koh Tao? Do we have
> to expect rough water, low vis or something?

Aprils a great time for diving as its Whale Shark Season!

Visibility is good too. At Chumpon pinnacle the currents ok.

> 2. We'll stay at the Beach Club resort. Good choice?

If you want cheap nice accomodation Siam Scuba Dive Center has rooms for 200
baht a night!

> 3. We read that the dive spots at Koh Tao - especially those suitable
> for beginners - are crowded most of the time. Any hints?

Depends when you dive. Mornings is busier, but dive shops that go at 0800
hrs and 1300 hrs experience less crowding at the dive site.

> 4. We are a group of four. As I said, we are diving beginners but we
> don't plan to attend yet another course (AOWD or something). We would
> prefer to just "fun-dive" but certainly need someone to look after us

A divemaster normally takes care of the fun divers.



>
> Is that possible, if so - where?
>
> Thanks for your time!
> Torsten

The Beach Club resort is situated at the edge of Mae Haad. Depending
on what you are looking for there are certainly many nicer resorts
even in the cheaper price range. Some dive schools offer packages with
diving and accommodation but depending on your budget this is not the
only option.
I have stayed at Koh Tao for 3 consecutive years (just returned 3
weeks ago) and love the island. It is rapidly developing ( 3 years ago
there were still no ATM and mobile phone) it is still a very nice
island. Even at Sairee Beach, where many smaller resorts are situated,
the beach is not crowded. Taxi boats can take you to many small
beaches and bays. Diving is very good. This year may new sites were
added to the usual ones. To go to Koh Tao you can transit via Koh
Samui and take the Catamaran or, like I did, take the night train
(sleeper) from Bangkok to Chumphon and from there the boat.
You arrive at Chumphon at 4.00 a.m. but the ferry company is open at
the railway station and you can have drinks and food until day-light.
They bring you to the ferry with their own transportation and you
arrive at Koh Tao in the middel of the morning. If you want to see
some pictures of Koh Tao look at my site www.renewildeman.nl . Do you
want more info please do not hesistate to contact me.
P.S. If budget is not a problem, stay at the Sensi Paradise resort at
Mae Haad. Beautiful cottages, good food and nice service.
Ask for Mr. A , the manager
Enjoy your trip and do not forget to visit the rest of Thailand,
especially the north.


On 25 Mar 2004 02:30:29 -0800, torsten.welches@gerling.de (Torsten)
wrote:

>Hi there,
>
>we will stay on Koh Tao from 5.-22. of April. We have never been to
>Thailand before, let alone Koh Tao AND we are PADI OWD freshmen, so
>it's safe to call us bloody rookies.
>
>We already found a lot of info googleing rec.scuba.locations and the
>net but there are some questions left:
>
>1. Is the beginning of April a good diving time on Koh Tao? Do we have
>to expect rough water, low vis or something?
>
>2. We'll stay at the Beach Club resort. Good choice?
>
>3. We read that the dive spots at Koh Tao - especially those suitable
>for beginners - are crowded most of the time. Any hints?
>
>4. We are a group of four. As I said, we are diving beginners but we
>don't plan to attend yet another course (AOWD or something). We would
>prefer to just "fun-dive" but certainly need someone to look after us
>
>Is that possible, if so - where?
>
>Thanks for your time!
>Torsten