Post: #1

Just as an update to this awesome thread from 2015:

/thread-19886.html

Having used a bunch of the recommendations myself.

This is all just purely Koh Tao, haven’t been to Phi Phi yet.

(Also, first datasheet I've posted, so let me know if this is helpful or not)

Going in June/July:
- Weather is a complete crapshoot. If you’re coming, make sure to come for at least a few weeks, so you don’t have the trip killed. When it’s raining, it’s REALLY raining. Overcast. Little dreary. Humidity super high. When that’s the case, the island empties out like crazy. Gaming goes out the door pretty fast.

- When the weather is good, it’s awesome! Beautiful blue skies, fantastic diving, island fills up in short order, great times.

- Be sure to check if there’s a Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan while you’re visiting. If there is, make sure to come *after*, if you don’t have a lot of time. It really does feel like 80% of people here leave when it’s Full Moon time. Then, a whole new crop of everybody pops in 2 days after.

- I can’t compare it to January, since I haven’t been. It does sound from Qwest's post that things are all around better in January. If you have a choice between going in Jan or June, all things being equal, go in January.

- If it's a choice between not going at all, or in June, it's not going to shoot your trip. It's an awesome beach spot, with great diving, and you'll have a blast.

Places to Stay
- Big thumbup on Simple Life. Perfect location, just up the street from the main bars that you’ll be hitting each night.

- Room’s are super comfortable, staff is awesome, wifi surprisingly strong if you want to get some stuff done.

- $65/night, which is HIGH for the island. You can 'shop around', just popping into the bungalows all along the main beach, Sairee, and get something fine for $30.

- If you're less budget conscious, highly recommend these guys.

Diving
- Recommend Rocktopus over Ban's - Ban's is fine, but more "big business" (at least as far as Koh Tao does "big business") and less social. Rocktopus does more drinks after classes, group hangouts, and it's a better crowd than Ban's. Ban's is also the definition of "beaten path". Rocktopus is a big smaller, so it'll tend to be a better crowd.

- As far as actual diving goes, all these guys are solid, and they'll all steer you well. Equipment is always solid, instructors all know their stuff, what's taught is always 80% the same. It's no big difference who you choose.

- So, all things being equal, might as well go with the more social group.

Bars/Gaming
- Slightly classier hostel crowd. Still lots of Aussies, lots of bros getting wrecked by 9, but on the whole, just enough off the beaten path enough that you'll meet fun people.

- It's easy to meet groups just walking around the streets a bit. I found, for rolling solo, it's WAY easier to just have a couple drinks in the room, then head out on the street, talk to different groups. Everyone's friendly, everyone's traveling, everyone's out to meet people.

- Just bouncing from group to group, and leading groups of girls you meet to bars you know are solid, guarantees a damned fun time.

- Lotus Bar has a more dance setup, and less of a talking setup. Not great. Fine for starting out at. Good for grabbing a bucket on the beach. Not good for meeting anyone.

- Three "doors" down, to your right facing the beach from Lotus, there's an awesome spot. Big open bar. Pool that people jump into later at night. Lots of high tables that people grab drinks around. Super easy to pull someone you're talking to at the bar to a table. Go here.

- This is right next door to "Wind Resort".

- The whole place is laid out so that, on the main road next to Sairee Beach, Lotus Bar is the second to last on the street, and Fizz Bar is the very last. If you walk out onto the beach from Lotus, turn right on the beach, then you can get to the other (better!) spots.

Overall
- Mostly, just a good place to kick back and relax.

- Between diving and Muay Thai, there's also a lot of awesome stuff to do during the day, besides just hanging on the beach.

- Gaming is ok, not amazing. But, if you're coming to an island like this, that's not your number one priority. It's there, it's fun, you'll have a great time, but quality is low, and everyone's wasted.

Post: #2

Nice post! I'll be interested to hear of your experiences on Phi Phi.

Post: #3

(07-05-2015 02:08 PM)zatara Wrote:  Nice post! I'll be interested to hear of your experiences on Phi Phi.

Didn't manage to get to Phi Phi.

Brief brief trip to Koh Samui was way better than I thought. Beach was super nice, found a few great restaurants on the water.

Very quiet bar scene at the moment, though. From what others have written, that's rare. Might just not have found the right spots.

Had a great time motorbiking around the place. Streets were definitely extremely sketchy late at night, but enough hotels have guards along the road, it's not a real concern.

Post: #4

(07-09-2015 12:26 PM)afue Wrote:  Didn't manage to get to Phi Phi.

Brief brief trip to Koh Samui was way better than I thought. Beach was super nice, found a few great restaurants on the water.

Very quiet bar scene at the moment, though. From what others have written, that's rare. Might just not have found the right spots.

Had a great time motorbiking around the place. Streets were definitely extremely sketchy late at night, but enough hotels have guards along the road, it's not a real concern.

Ah, shame!

I hated Samui when I was there. I came from Phangan, which I thought was great - just lots of tourists partying on the beach.

Samui (more specifically Chaweng Beach) was full of sleazy hookers and brothels though. And way more built up.

Green Mango was the go-to club when I was there. Wasn't great though. It seemed to basically be jacked Aussie dudes, Thai hookers, and unfriendly Israelis when I was there.

Post: #5

Hey Guys!

Anyone been to Koh Tao recently? If yes, I'd really appreciate a quick head up how things are going on the island. Still not overruled by drunk Aussies?