Having done much the same, I can happily recommend a little island called
Gili Travangan, just off the coast of Lombok.The diving is pretty damn good
and the drifts are some of the best I've ever done.Its easy enough to get
to, fly via Bali to Lombok and then get a taxi to the ferry pier.If your
like me and have a big problem with boats, dont panic, the ferry ride is
only about 20-30mins depending of which boat you get.There are hotels and
guesthouses to suit every budget and the people are fantastic.If you liked
Koa Tao, you'll love Gili T. The only downside that I found was the food
which is pretty crap by thai standards.There are a multitude of dive
operators and I dived with Dream Divers who had the best outfit by far (in
my humble opinion).They were, however, German owned/run so I guess you cant
have everything...lol.
wherever you get to, have a great time.

Hi Vance,
The choice of hotel, operator etc is enormous in Phuket and the
standard is generally good.
The key question would be whether to stay in Patong or one of the
quieter areas such as Kata or Karon.
If you stay in Patong with lots of restaurants, I would recommend
staying at the Holiday Inn in their Busakorn Wing. It has a beautiful
and quiet oasis of a pool area and the busy town immediately outside.
Patong is slightly further from the dive sites, so the pick up times
are earlier.
For somewhere quieter but still an easy access to restarant areas. Try
the Seaview hotel in Karon. Beautiful rooms and the beach is just
across the road. The beach is no good for snorkelling and ,off season
there can be a nasty undertow, but usually great from Dec.-April. From
Kata Noi beach you can snorkel and you are nearer the dive embarkation
point so you be last to leave the hotel and first back.

For dive operators there is a huge choice. I like Kontiki and South
East Asia divers who often share a great boat. Like others you'll
leavve Chalong Bay at 9.00am returning around 4.00pm.

Your wife will be able to snorkel on the day trips to PhiPhi Island
and some other sites. They'll advise. Other good operators are Dive
Asia and Sea Bees. For some brilliant diving take the Kingfisher
catamarran on the day trip to the Similans. It leaves from Patong.
Any more questions, just e-mail or post.
Enjoy.
Neilly.

--- Vance wrote:

Hi Neil

Cambodia and Vietnam don't really compare with the diving further
south than Phuket. If you ask me Malaysia and Indonesia are where it's
at. Have a look at www.divetheworldmalaysia.com - I have been through
them twice and they were very good.

Sipadan was great as was Sulawesi (Manado and Lembeh)

Cheers

Gav