Koh Tao is the best place in the world to dive. You have to get your diving qualification there when you go to Thailand.
All I heard before coming to Thailand was of Koh Tao and its brilliance for all things scuba diving. Arriving on Koh Tao, armed with the dubious knowledge that it's the cheapest place in the world to get a diving qualification, I heeded the advice I had received and searched for a way to dive. Now, having now completed my Open Water Scuba Diving Course on Koh Tao, I feel it necessary to provide answers to the questions that I had before I began my travels.
Why Dive in koh tao?
Koh Tao is my favourite place in Thailand for more than just the scuba diving that it offers. It’s an island with amazing beaches, bars and viewpoints and is great for cliff jumping and climbing enthusiasts. There is no denying though, that Koh Tao's main pull is diving. Unlike many other dive sites around the world, Koh Tao is diveable all year round. The island boasts more than 50 dive sites ranging in difficulty and environment, from stunning coral reefs to shipwrecks. The chance to see a whale shark, turtle and many other marine animals draws divers from all over the world to Koh Tao and the low prices keep them there.
What Course Should i do?
The majority of inexperienced divers opt to do the Open Water Diver Course. This is a beginner course, which teaches you the basics for diving up to 18 metres deep and is the first level of qualification for every diver.
How many days is the open water course?
Depending on which company you choose to dive with, the course is either 3 or 4 days.
How Much does it cost to dive in Koh Tao?
My course cost £210 (the standard price for an Open Water Diver’s Course on Koh Tao). This may seem like a lot but it is widely stated that Koh Tao is the cheapest place to dive in the world. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to dive in every location on the globe in the 2 months between getting my qualification and writing this, I can attest to the cheapness of Koh Tao by sharing that on my time on nearby Cambodian island Koh Rong, the Open Water Diving Course was repeatedly advertised as a £400 course.
what will i be taught?
The teaching practice for the Open Water Diver’s Course is a 70/30 split between practical learning (done in your lesson time during the day) and eLearning (done on your device in your own time). The eLearning makes sure your knowledge of diving theory is up to scratch, teaching you such things as; diving safety, skills, dive planning through readable information and a series of multiple choice questions. Completing the eLearning will take you around 8 hours in total and culminates in a 50 question multiple choice quiz that, when passed, grants you your Open Water certificate. The remaining 70% is the practical diving part. Throughout the multiple dives on your course, you’ll be taught how to: control buoyancy; use a compass underwater; take your mask on and off; and hand signals (to name a few).
day by day account:
Day 1
Morning
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Signed up for the course and paid at the dive centre
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Downloaded the PADI app and signed up ready to start my eLearning and log future dives
Afternoon
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Completed half of my eLearning in my hostel in preparation for my first ever dive
Day 2
Morning
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Arrived at the dive centre at 9:00
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Consolidated what my eLearning taught me in a classroom environment
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Briefed on my later dive and taken through the equipment and its uses
Afternoon
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Set off to the dive boat, put on the equipment
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Swam out to the shore and taught dive skills (mask clearing, breathing underwater, equalizing, etc.) in shallow water
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Fun dive for 40 minutes
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Finished at 5 then completed eLearning at my hostel
Day 3
Morning
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Arrived at 8:30
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Consolidated the final part of my eLearning
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Took 50 question final exam with a 75% pass mark
Afternoon
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40 minute fun dive #1
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Back on the boat and drove to next dive site
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40 minute fun dive #2
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Finished dive with some surface skills (removing dive equipment, compass work, etc.)
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Back at dive centre for 4:30
Day 4
Morning
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Arrived for 9:30
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Fun dive #1 around a shipwreck
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Back on the boat and drove to next dive site
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Fun dive #2 around a huge coral reef
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Back at dive centre for 1:00pm and awarded with my dive certificate on the PADI app
What does the qualification get you?
An Open Water Diver certificate means that you can rent gear anywhere in the word and dive (with a qualified buddy) up to a depth of 18 metres.
what company should i dive with?
I dove with Big Bubble who were brilliant at making me feel safe and looked after. Compared to others on the island they are a small dive company and because of this, my course was taught one-to-one, putting my nerves at ease. I would highly recommend Big Bubble, but if you want a more social experience with a bigger company then there are a whole host of other organisations to cater for your needs. The only necessity when choosing a company is that they are PADI certified. This is the globally recognised authentication certificate and ensures that all your instructors have gone through the correct training to teach you.
what should i bring?
All the equipment is provided by your chosen dive company. I would only recommend bringing your swimwear, a towel and something to change into.
who is fit to dive?
Anyone of perfect health is fit to dive. If you have medical issues or a history of ill-health make sure to check with a doctor and obtain the correct paperwork in order to prove you are okay to dive. For instance, my girlfriend has mild asthma and before her dive she was sent to the doctor to check and affirm her fitness.
what if i'm not sure?
If you're unsure whether diving is for you and are sceptical about a 3 day course then a beginner’s 1 day dive might be more to your taste. My girlfriend was in the same boat as you and opted to do a 1 day taster dive through Big Bubble, diving with me on my day 3. As well as being allowed to dive with me, the instructor was extremely patient with her, easing her nerves on a one-to-one basis before jumping in. This is the benefit of choosing a smaller company as a sceptical diver, as with a bigger company you risk forfeiting doing things at your own pace. Furthermore, instead of £210 she paid £70 but was informed, should she wish, the day could count as the first day of an Open Water course, that she would only need to pay the difference to be enrolled on.
in summary
I hope this article has answered all of your questions about what it means to dive on Koh Tao and why it is so popular. Diving for 3 whole days is one of the most breathtaking experiences of my whole trip and I would strongly urge anyone thinking about opting onto the course to do it.