Snorkeling at Koh Chang July Monsoon?

[Tupelo]

I'm planning to be in Koh Chang in mid July. My goal is snorkeling, showing my kids the magic of the sea. I'm aware its monsoon. DOes anyone have any guidance about where to go? East side of island, other island, morning time, etc?

I really want to make this part of our trip to Thailand a valuable lifetime experience.

thanks.

[Sakeopete]

I can't help you with your question but would like to warn you to be careful as a child was almost killed by a box jellyfish sting. https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...-thailand.html (Swedish Girl Almost Killed by Jellyfish in Thailand)

[roog]

Hi,
even in the high season, snorkeling off Koh Chang beaches is disappointing. But go to the islands to the south (around Koh Rang) and you'll be amazed. Day trips cost from 500 baht, and at least boat company will be running thoughout the monsoon season (as long as the weather's not dangerous). These trips are fine for kids too.
look at cocodeebokohchang dot com / activity / snorkeling for some ideas
regards, Colin

[pescator]

As roog says, forget about Koh Chang when it comes to snorkelling.
Eastern side of Koh Chang is not even suited for swimming, mostly mangrove and/or shallow, lukewarm waters with poor visibility.
Koh Rang is okay, but your kids should be good swimmers, especially considering the impact of the monsoon season.
In the designated snorkelling areas depths are generally some 5-6 meters.
You swim close to sheer cliff and swells could make you collide with those unless you are a good swimmer.
During high season this area is visited every day by hundreds of tourist which makes it little fun to be here.
Low season is probably the time to go, weather allowing.

Koh Wai has some fair snorkelling too. You can reach those areas directly from the beach.

Rip tides occur regularly during monsoon season on the beaches of koh Chang. So watch out for the kids.

For further informations on koh chang and surrounding areas:

http://iamkohchang.com

[Bettyboo]

Monsoon season obviously affects the currents around the islands; common sense really (I wouldn't go to such places during such unpredictable times). But, when is monsoon season? Seems to of changed dramatically over the last 20 years I've been around here... I didn't think that July was monsoon season anywhere in Thailand... Now (should be over, but...) in Bkk, Aug/Sept/Oct down south (Phuket), mid July August should be getting into good times on the Andamen Sea side...

The Andamen Sea is far better than the South China Sea for any Sea activities. Down South should be free of heavy rain and major tidal problems, but still be very careful; ask local guides about the right beaches/sides of islands at any given time of day - tides/currents move around dramatically.

Mid July, should be a good time to visit Phi Phi (or the two islands that are 45 mins from the main Phuket divving pier) for kids snorkeling. These two places are the best easy snorkeling/diving I've done here. Maybe not trendy, but easy, cheap and safe...

[genghis61]

We holidayed in Chanthaburi and Trat mid-May; went to Laem Ngop where the ferry goes to Koh Chang but struck a bad day water very rough wouldn't have been a pleasant trip. The water on the coast from Laem Sing where we spent our first nights down as far as Trat/Laem Ngop was a dirty brown from rivers/rain in the hills. And the tide-line was all rubbish, bottles, bags etc washed down the rivers.

We went further north - only about 20km from Laem Sing to Chao Lao nearer Chanthaburi the water was perfectly clean/clear, but didn't find anywhere suitable to put our snorkelling gear to use. Im our limited exp nothing beats the Andaman islands, Racha (about 1 1/2 hours off Phuket) still rates my #1, and off some of the Phuket beaches it's good too.

We'll try Koh Chang again, maybe October.