Next leg was the overnight train south to Chumporn and ferry to Kho Tao, the Thai island mecca for diving. Warm water, gorgeous coral and good visibility were our rewards for the long trip there. Kho Tao is only a few km long but packs hundreds of guest houses, hotels and dive schools into the coconut palm and boulder strewn landscape. A wander around the southern coastline saw us wash up at Alvara Dive Centre, and the two days diving that followed were fantastic. Great boat, helpful staff and laid back atmosphere coupled with clear visibility made for a wonderful experience. The first days highlight was the fields of majestic anemones on jumbled boulder pinnacles and fabulous corals in the shallows.
The second day saw us at Chumporn Pinnacle, diving amidst grouper and shoals of barracuda and then Red Rock, a cave swim through with nudibranchs followed by snorkelling at the Japanese Garden. These dives were to prove a good lead up to further diving at Flores, more about that later.
The second day saw us at Chumporn Pinnacle, diving amidst grouper and shoals of barracuda and then Red Rock, a cave swim through with nudibranchs followed by snorkelling at the Japanese Garden. These dives were to prove a good lead up to further diving at Flores, more about that later.