Asia - S.E. Asian beach resort in Sept/Oct

OK, plan is to take the family to Singapore next October for a few days and we want to head from there to the beach.

The problem is that I'm getting conflicting advice from the guidebooks as to where is likely to be wet and when. That time of year does seem to mark the crossover between the two monsoons, so it's not looking easy.

I guess we're looking at Tioman, Langkawi, Penang, Phuket or Ko Samui as I don't want to be messing round with connecting flights/long transfers.

Any thoughts? I am toying with the idea of making refundable reservations on both coasts then cancelling one at the last minute - not entirely ethical, but I don't want to be stuck at a beach resort with two kids when it's raining non stop!

Many thanks

Tony

West Coast Monsoon (if theres such a thing) is milder than East Coast Monsoon.

Langkawi doesnt rain as much as Phuket, but do watch out for the "annual" haze which hits the region around around August/Sepetmeber. Lets see whether the Indonesians are keeping to their word "this" year to control the haze.

Have you considered Bali ?

West Coast Monsoon (if theres such a thing) is milder than East Coast Monsoon.

Langkawi doesnt rain as much as Phuket, but do watch out for the "annual" haze which hits the region around around August/Sepetmeber. Lets see whether the Indonesians are keeping to their word "this" year to control the haze.

Have you considered Bali ?

Bali sounds good but not possible unfortunately.

As for the west vs east deabte, we ended up in a storm on the N coast of Penang a few years back in early September. Basically rained for 2 days nonstop. We checked out a day early, got to the airport and the sun was shining....

once bitten, twice shy!

As for the west vs east deabte, we ended up in a storm on the N coast of Penang a few years back in early September. Basically rained for 2 days nonstop. We checked out a day early, got to the airport and the sun was shining....

A few years ago (in Sept/Oct) I was at the Perhentian Islands , and I thought I found paradise when I arrived on a sunny day with glowing green waters. I immediately checked with the hotel for room availability to extend my stay. However it rained non-stop the next day right through the following morning, and I was told to leave as soon as possible before the weather got worse; monsoon had arrived !

The water was too choppy for the speed boat to run, and the only boat sailing was an old junk. The waves were so rough and the way the boat swayed, I almost thought we wouldnt make it back to the main land. Several passengers put on their life jackets inanticipation of the boat capsizing, but we made it back safely with a good soak.

After this experience, I stay well clear of the east coast islands anytime near monsoon season. You never know how early or late monsoon may arrive .....

BTW it was bright and sunny in Kota Kinabalu this past weekend, and the lobsters were yummy :)