Diving course in Thailand, advice. Koah lak?

Hi, Me and my boyfriend are planning to get to Thailand next week ( october ) to do our first open water diving course, and afterwards we have a few days in which we will probably want to do a dive or two ( doubtfully a liveaboard thing, but hey maybe we'll love diving so much we will ). So where to do it?

I know this is probably one of the most asked questions here, but delving through the forums I still feel bombarded with too much information which isn't relevant ( time of year, different requirements, etc. etc. ).

So we are looking for a nice island/beach, which has a nice quiet backpacker vibe - a bungalow on the beach sounds the best, we would want to avoid any nightlife scene as much as possible. So Phuket is probably out of the question i understand.

Money wise cheaper is ofcourse always good, but not THAT important if it's only a 10-20 percent difference. Much more important is the quality of the dive schools, and the visibility/marine life. From the forums it seems that Ko Tao is the cheapest place, but gets bad reviews regarding size of groups in course in most schools, and quality of reefs.

So, trying not to get overloaded with possibilities ( as it seems for every island there is one person in the forums that says that that island is the best for diving ), we were thinking about Koah Lak - Simply for the reason that it's close to the similian islands, and we might decide eventually to go through with some day trip there, or even a liveboard ).

So after this long forward - What do you guys say? Is Koah Lak a nice place for a young couple? Are the prices reasonable? Are we making a big mistake and we actually SHOULD consider some other magical island? Another consideration to take is that we have about 11 days for the whole thing together with commuting, so the place should be reasonably accesible from Bangkok ( I guess flight to Phuket? ).

Thanks alot for any input, it might help prevent me going nuts from this decision ( I know i know i should take it easy ).

When are you coming exactly?
Daytrips to Similans won't start for a few weeks, and the place is still very, very quiet. From what you're writing, have you considered Phi Phi or Krabi?

I understand that you don't want to worry about time of year and details like that, but for Khao Lak, that is absolutely essential information. If I understand correctly, you plan to arrive next week? Many, if not most, dive centers in Khao Lak are closed until at least the middle of October because the Similans National Park only opens on November 1, and that destination is vital to their offerings.

In October, on the Andaman Sea side (where Khao Lak is located), you will have the most options on Phuket. It's a fairly large island, so if you don't want a party atmosphere, the simple solution is to avoid Patong, which is where the dance clubs, sex clubs, and bar-after-bar-after-bar streets are located. However, finding a beach hut is not going to be easy since most of the beaches have resorts on them. You can, on the other hand, find very affordable guest houses near the beaches, especially this time of year with low season rates in effect.

One option somebody will probably mention is Phi Phi, and that might work for you since there are plenty of backpacker places there, but be advised that it is quite the party island and is generally a bit more expensive than Phuket. Maybe for what you are dreaming of Railay Beach in Krabi province would work. There's a real backpacker vibe there, a couple of dive schools, and no huge party scene.

"One option somebody will probably mention is Phi Phi,"

You mean 'has mentioned'.

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww173/prestonjjrtr/Smileys/SmileySurrender.gif

Thanks alot for your advice.
Indeed we might be arriving in Phuket even tomorrow. Too bad the similians won't be accesible :( Do you think any change of boats going before 1'st of november, around 20'th of Oct? I have read some contradicting information on the net regarding this.

Anyway, a few more questions -
Since we would like to stay away from the party scene, i think ko phi phi doesn't sound like the right choice. So going with your advice, the choice then is between Phuket and Railay. Looking in net Rai Leh sounds like a nice place for us, beside wikitravel saying "Rai Leh is not a major diving spot as the local coral and sea life is not as diverse or spectacular as other areas of Thailand.". Do you think this is a non-issue for our open-water course? And do dive schools their have foreign native english instructors?

Regarding Phuket - any recommendations on quiet beach + good diving school?

And last questions - i read in some places that best diving in october is in Koh Lipe, and that it has some dive schools. Any ideas regarding that? The downside from net searching, is that many people say what was once a paradise has become somewhat of a garbage dump... pretty sad :(

Thanksalot again!

I'm not an expert on Krabi, so it's hard for me to say whether the dive shops at Railey will be fully staffed. You'd be best advised to write to a few of them if that place appeals to you.

As for Lipe, it's a great little place, but again, I'm not sure when they open for their season. That place just pretty much shuts down during low season.

On Phuket, if you want a quieter area, Nai Harn is very nice and not overbuilt, but it's a ways from the main tourist towns. Another area you might like is the northern part of the island, but again, it's somewhat isolated.

Regarding the chance of getting to the Similans later in October, it may be possible, weather dependent. Some liveaboard operators "jump the light" so to speak and if they've got enough customers, they run a couple of early trips out. If I were you, I'd keep that idea in the back of my mind and see what boats actually are planning on going out a bit early.

I'm sending a PM to you, so check your inbox.

The Similans are accessible for liveaboards, the first trips are going out from around 15 October. This boat has a confirmed trip on the 18th, the trip of the 15th on this boat is not yet confirmed, we need some more people for that one.

I've not dived either Phuket or Railay but have heard great things about Railay. Its abit more rlaxed and has the island life about it apparently.

boyojohnquninn, it might surprise you to learn that Railay, though a coastal dirt-path village is not on an island at all and that Phuket, which has lots of towns and villages dotted around it is actually an island in its own right. I do agree, though, that Railay is small and less developed than Phuket, which is probably what you mean to say.

Still Railey has more the island life about it, which is what boyo said.

can anyone recommend clean, comfortable bungalow accommodations on Koah Lak? We prefer to be on the beach, but would consider elsewhere. thanks!