Diving in SE Thailand in December

Well, got the flights booked and the g/f and I are off to Thailand on December the 15th. Current plans consist of jumping on an AirAsia flight to Phuket or Krabi for a few days of diving, do Christmas or New Year on a Similian Islands liveaboard (then hightail it up to Cambodia). I've 200+ dives whilst the g/f has around 20.

So, given that we've got quite a few pro's from the area posting here I'm touting for peoples thoughts on where to go for the first few days. Somewhere we can get over the flight, get a few good easy dives in and relax. Not sure how package tourist we want it although I'm aware that it's high high season and prebooking somewhere to stay might be a good idea...

Initial thoughts were centered on Ko Lanta, Ko Phi Phi, Khao Lak. Possibly Phuket. Chances are we won't stay more than three or four days in one place, so we'll possibly hit a couple of spots before the liveaboard (obviously this depends on when, exactly, we do do the liveaboard!).

So there you go! I'd really appreciate suggestions and input here. I'm kind of minded towards Phuket having never really been there although it's party party reputation puts me off somewhat. Phi Phi sounds nice but busy. Hell, sitting here in the UK everywhere in the region sounds nice! 30cm vis anybody?

Phuket has most divesites to go to from the places you mention and therefor the most flexibility, but all the other places will be able as well to offer you a few days of relaxed diving. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, besides the Similans the best diving in the area, are reachable from all places mentioned on daytrips, but consideirng depth and currents not the most relaxing divesites.
Since you're already going to the Similans and nearly all daytrips from Khao Lak go to the Similans, I would just not go there for the daytrips. You could also add Krabi to your choices.

IMO, the choice would be more on the kind of atmosphere and relaxation you're looking for than the diving.

Wherever you go to, have fun.

I'd look into the liveaboards soon - I can tell you that many are full for New Year already. Day trips you may be able to arrange once you are here, but in peak season even day trips can be full a couple of days ahead. Phuket is the most central spot, but Phi Phi is nice for a few days diving and offers Hin Daeng as a day trip option as well as local dives. You might consider Phi Phi first, then stay in Phuket a day or two before a liveaboard.

Cheers
Jamie
Phuket

First off, Phuket is a very large island, so if you aren't keen to be in the midst of drunken revelry, you simply need to avoid the tourist town of Patong and base yourselves in one of the quiet areas, of which there are many. Phi Phi is indeed busy, very touristy. If you are looking for an as-yet-relatively-unspoilt island experience, you might check out Koh Lanta. The diving options are not as extensive, but you will certainly be able to dive, and perhaps most importantly, the superb sites Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are within relatively easy range of Lanta (and of Phi Phi as well, but from Phuket doing these sites as a daytrip takes a little more planning). For Lanta, you would fly from BKK to Krabi and then take a ferry (2 hour transfer time) or a minivan (2.5 hours) to Lanta itself.

As far as LOBs go, several ops have special trips planned for the New Year. These are popular and advanced planning is advisable or you may find yourself disappointed.

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<hr>but from Phuket doing these sites as a daytrip takes a little more planning<hr></blockquote>Why? You simply go on one of the daytrip boats going to Hin Daeng.

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but from Phuket doing these sites as a daytrip takes a little more planning
Why? You simply go on one of the daytrip boats going to Hin Daeng.
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Because, as you surely know, there are fewer boats from Phuket making the trip out there on fewer days, meaning it requires a tad more planning than from a base closer to the sites such as Phi Phi or Lanta.

Is ANYONE doing Hin Daeng as a day trip now from Phuket? I heard Eden Divers boat is for sale, and Ocean Lovers boat not sure to run, and so surely you'd have to charter a boat to get all the way down there on a day trip.

Thanks for that news Jamie. I hadn't heard that Waverunner was for sale... I guess that just leaves Aragon on an overnighter, if a diver wanted a "short" trip then?

Yes, that is news to me as well. But I would presume somebody else will start offering it, wait and see.

Anyway for the OP: I would recommend not to go to Hin Daeng anyway, not exactly good easy dives to relax, plus IMO the g/f does not have enough experience.

Yeh, they didn't exactly tell anyone - I just had a customer wanted to book in advance, so I called to make a booking and was told they are selling the boat. Nice boat, so I hope someone runs it. The Reefseeker also not running next season, so I hope someone can take that over. We need more of these small fast boats in Phuket. Plenty of people happy to pay a bit more to get a small group experience.

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<hr>Yeh, they didn't exactly tell anyone - I just had a customer wanted to book in advance, so I called to make a booking and was told they are selling the boat. Nice boat, so I hope someone runs it. The Reefseeker also not running next season, so I hope someone can take that over. We need more of these small fast boats in Phuket. Plenty of people happy to pay a bit more to get a small group experience. <hr></blockquote>

I spoke to Giles yesterday when I was going out on his boat and he hadn't heard either. I asked whether he might add an HD/HM trip to his schedule, and he pointed out that it's hard to make it financially doable unless you can consistently fill the boat. He also said that there isn't any place to stop and let passengers off the boat for an hour or two, which he sees as a problem. I guess we just have to wait and see, as stevenl says....