Phuket Travel Forum

Hongs by starlight Phang Nga v/s Ang ThonG koh Samui
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 08:59 PM UTC

I plan to take the Hongs by starlight trip with John Gray canoe on 6th June 2009. I would be travelling to Koh Samui on 8th June and was torn between the Ang thong marine park tour or koh tao. (bearing in mind that i will also have done phi phi tour in phuket)

also how will the seas be during this time of the year ?

mrmaulikshah

7 replies

[Reply]

Re: Hongs by starlight Phang Nga v/s Ang ThonG koh Samui
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:51 AM UTC

If it were me, I'd do the Ang Thong tour. It's a Ramsar site, which gives it additional protection as a world-recognized wetlands area. Koh Tao is mainly a backpacker/scuba diver island. If you don't dive, there's not much to do there. A trip from Samui would normally just include snorkeling and lunch. Hardly worth the money.

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Re: Hongs by starlight Phang Nga v/s Ang ThonG koh Samui
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:53 AM UTC

And the seas should be perfect over there at this time of year. They are affected by the northeast monsoon and this time of year the southwest monsoon is blowing, so the Thai mainland protects the western Gulf islands from the wind. Another great reason to see Ang Thong.

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Re: Hongs by starlight Phang Nga v/s Ang ThonG koh Samui
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:56 AM UTC

Wait, wait!

The text of your question led me to believe you were torn between Ang Thong and Tao. But the title says you're torn between Ang Thong and Hongs.

In that case, I'd pick the Hongs over Ang Thong. Phang Nga Bay is a UN World Heritage site, and the hidden mangrove lagoons inside the karst islands are very, very special. Well worth a visit.

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Re: Hongs by starlight Phang Nga v/s Ang ThonG koh Samui
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 08:54 PM UTC

Hi Quero,

Thanks a ton for your reply. I was actually torn between doing the ang thong trip and koh tao since i can only spare 1 out of 3 days in Koh samui. (balance 2 days will be with wife relaxing at the prana beach resort). You have been very very helpful

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mrmaulikshah

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Re: Hongs by starlight Phang Nga v/s Ang ThonG koh Samui
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 09:03 PM UTC

Hi.

Thanks again. secondly will patong be safe for swimming this timr of the year. Where would be the best place to do water rides ?

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mrmaulikshah

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Re: Hongs by starlight Phang Nga v/s Ang ThonG koh Samui
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 04:23 AM UTC

No, it's unlikely that Patong will be safe for swimming in June. As I said earlier, the red flags are up, and every year tourists drown off our beaches because they ignore the flags and get caught in rip currents. My advice is to save the beach activities for Samui where sea conditions are likely to be excellent.

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Re: Hongs by starlight Phang Nga v/s Ang ThonG koh Samui
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 01:29 PM UTC

We were out in the bay last week and the weather and water could not have been more perfect, so I'm sure you won't have any problems with that.

John Gray is the only person to see the bay with and he recommends the Hongs by Starlight at this time of year over high season, as the bio-luminesence is more visible. You won't be sorry if you do the Hongs with him.

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