Diving in Thailand

History

Diving in Thailand is a recent phenomenon beginning with the American Navy SEALs during the Vietnam War. Thailand’s first ever diving store was opened in Pattaya in 1977 and shortly after that, the popularity of diving for both Thais and foreigners in Thailand exploded.
After Pattaya, the next destination to see divers arriving in large numbers was Phuket and they were soon heading out to dive in the Similan Islands and the rest of the Andaman Sea. In fact, the Similan Islands have been ranked as one of the top diving sites in the world. Today, diving is popular all over the Andaman Sea, including the relatively unknown Tarutao and Surin islands.
Over on the other side in the Gulf of Thailand is Ko Tao (Turtle Island) has emerged as a major diving destination in Thailand with over 20 diving centres on the island.

Statistics

The Similan Islands are a prime example of encouraging divers, while at the same time maintaining ecological stability and preserving biological diversity of flora and fauna. From 1999 to 2003 the Similans attained a five fold increase in the number of visitors, which increased from 10,000 to 50,000 and most of them were divers. The income grew in that time from USD22,000 to USD460,000 with foreign divers each spending an average of roughly USD1,200.

When to dive in Thailand

The best time to dive in the Andaman Sea is from November to April, and again June to September, and in the Gulf of Thailand from May to September. However it is okay to dive all year round.

Thailand has two different diving zones consisting of the Andaman Sea on the west and The Gulf of Thailand on the east.

The Andaman Sea

The best time of the year to dive in the Andaman is from October to April. The visibility in the Andaman is similar to that of the Gulf of Thailand but the area has more extensive coral reefs. Due to the influence of the southwest monsoon, most of the reefs surrounding the offshore islands occur on the east side of the islands.

Ko Lipe

Tarutao National Park is one of Asia’s oldest marine parks and the reefs are in excellent condition. Within easy reach of the dive centres are over 30 uninhabited islands and hundreds of reefs and some of the best visibility to be found in Thailand.
The reefs around Ko Lipe are largely intact; the 2004 tsunami had little impact here. Around Ko Lipe are some Thailand's best reefs all within easy reach:
The currents here are predominantly tidal which means certain times of the month we experience strong currents and at other times none at all. you can always find somewhere good to dive but the widest selection of dive sites is available twice a month, following the half moon.
Big Stuff: — You can see numerous sharks, whale sharks and manta rays. Sightings of the big guys are more likely on sites around the edge of the marine park, nearer the deeper waters. For the best chance try to visit 8 Mile Rock, Stonehenge, or Ko Pung.
Dive sites include:

Sail Rock

Ko Pung

Stonehenge

8 Mile Rock

Between Ko Adang & Ko Rawi

Yong Hua Shipwreck

Hin Takorn Dukong

Ko Bu Tang

Ko Sawang

Ko Langcha

Phuket

Phuket Island has some good dive sites and the largest diving centre in Thailand. The reefs around the area are in a healthy condition with both hard and colorful soft corals. There is also an abundance of other marine life. Most of the dive locations are suitable for all levels of divers but there are also some that are quite deep.
Dive sites include:

Ko Doc Mai

Racha Noi

Racha Yai

Ter Bay

Service providers

• Davy Jones Locker

  phone: +66 89 0465371
  Experienced instructors teaching all PADI and BSAC courses from beginner to divemaster and dive leader level. Daily trips for certified divers to all the best dive sites around Ko Lipe. Free accommodation for divers and students available when you book online.

• Dive Asia

  phone: +66 76 330598
  address: 24 Karon Rd, Kata Beach, Phuket
  Since 1989 in Phuket. Oldest PADI 5 Star Carer Development Center under German Management.

• Peterpan Andaman Diving Co., Ltd.

  phone: +66 76 521948 or +66 76 521949
  address: 8/62-3 Moo 3 Kwang Rd, Vichit, Phuket

• Sea Bees Diving

  phone: +66 76 381 765
  address: Main office: Sea Bees Diving - Phuket Chalong Pier, 1/3 Moo 9, Viset Road, Chalong, Phuket 83130
  Sea Bees has been operating in Phuket for 20 years. The teaching centre is located just a few minutes away at our Palm Garden Resort in Chalong and offers multi-media air-conditioned class rooms as well as a 3m deep training pool.

• Sunrise Divers

  phone: +66 76 398040
  address: 269/24 Patak Rd, Karon Beach, Phuket
  In Phuket since 1999 offering Similan Island liveaboards, overnight and day trips around local areas and PADI courses.

• Scuba Diving Phuket

  phone: +66 76 344 611
  address: 169/14 Soi Sansabai, Patong, Phuket 83150
  Since 1995, the most complete PADI 5 Star CDC Dive Center of Phuket. Private and specifically scuba designed training pool. Own luxury dive yacht with full service of freshly on-board cooked breakfast and lunch. Dive trips to Phi-Phi, Shark Point & Anemone Reef, wreck diving. Similan Islands liveaboard diving. PADI Diving courses from beginner to professional level. Large dive shop with full range of scuba gear.

Krabi and Ko Lanta

Some good diving, with several sites rivaling the Similan Islands. All diving is well off the coast, requires travelling via a dive boat.
This part of Thailand offers some terrific diving and snorkeling sites with plenty of soft coral, limestone outcrops and diversity of marine life. One can go diving off the nearby islands of Bidah Nai and Nok.

Krabi

Ko Phi Phi

About 22 km west of Ko Lanta, the Phi Phi Islands offer consistently good diving, all year round.
Even though the island was struck badly by the tsunami in 2004, the area has recovered impressively and divers are back. The island has two remarkable limestone outcrops divided by a narrow flat isthmus which is where most visitors stay. With long caves, dramatic overhangs, walls that go down to 30 m, swim-throughs, submerged pinnacles and a display of hard and soft coral, the diving around Phi Phi is varied and spectacular with an abundance of soft coral and colorful schools of fish.
Phi Phi is also known for Sea Fans and the Leopard Shark. Leopard sharks are docile, nocturnal creatures which can be found lying on the sand facing into the current; they are one of only four species of shark that doesn’t need to keep swimming in order to breathe. They like to eat sea urchins, crustaceans, small fish and sea snakes.
Dive sites include:
Bidah Nok, Bidah Nai and Hin Bidah
Whilst the visibility tends not to be as good as at Ko Haa and Ko Rok, these sites are home to a huge concentration of marine life.
Bidah Nok (Outer Rock)
Bidah Nai (Inner Rock)

Hin Bidah (Shark Point Phi Phi)

King Cruiser

Anemone Reef

Shark Point ‘Hin Musang’

The currents that sweep over the top of these sites bring plenty of nutrients, and may explain the abundance of fish species considered rare on other Thai dive sites. Look for Orange-Spine Unicornfish, and many juvenile fish sheltering among the soft corals. A pair of Tigertail Seahorses have made their home on the main pinnacle.

Ko Lanta

Across the sea from Krabi town is the quiet Ko Lanta group of fifteen islands. The major island of Ko Lanta Yai is approximately 25 km long with a string of white sandy beaches. There is an enormous variety of fringing reefs, marine life, caves, rocks and islets.
The diving season is typically end of October to end of April, with most dive shops closing in the off period.
There are no scuba diving sites on the island itself, all require a boat trip. However Lanta is the closest island to the Hin Daeng and Hin Muang sites, so it is very popular with divers.
Dive sites include:
Hin Daeng and Hin Muang Near Ko Lanta, these are two dive sites with more than 200 hard corals and 108 reef fish catalogued in a study underway, but thousands more organisms abound. Hin Muang is completely underwater and it is covered with delicate violet coral. The sites also have high incidences of whale shark sightings.
Hin Daeng (Red Rock)

Hin Muang:

Ko Haa:

• Ko Haa Lagoon is a shallow, protected area that lies between 3 of the islands, The central lagoon area is suitable for beginner divers and snorkellers and provides a safe, nursery-area for many juvenile fish species. You may see Porcupine Puffer Fish, Ghost Pipefish, Octopus and Hawksbill Turtles swimming amongst the corals. Manta Rays, Marble Rays, Eagle Rays and Whale Sharks are spotted here occasionally.
• Ko Haa Cathedral is a series of large and spectacular, interconnected caverns and swim-throughs. The largest cavern has three chambers and is known as ‘The Cathedral’. The first two chambers are connected by a shallow swim through at about 9 m. It is possible to surface inside the Cathedral and see the limestone stalactites looming from the high ceilings. Light floods in through the two large entrances and offers great photographic opportunities. The shallow area in front of the beach is packed with coral and is suitable for beginner divers. Look out for the coral formations that are several metres high.
• Ko Haa Chimney at Ko Haa Neung is a tall, vertical chimney, often filled with small glassfish or sweeperfish, starting at 5m and going down to around 16m. Explore the arm that branches out to the east, bringing you out into a beautiful shallow chamber with several large exits. You can find banded sea snakes, lionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish, harlequin shrimps, many other crustaceans and beautiful cowries. Look for large schools of snapper and barracuda - a little deeper you can find Marble Rays.

Ko Kraden Wreck

Ko Rok

The Southern Islands of Ko Wean, Ko Chueak, Ko Maa and Ko Ngai offer sheltered diving that can be a good alternative if the sea is too choppy to reach Ko Haa.
Ko Kradan

Other dive sites in this region include Hin Bida and Gareng Heng rock outcrop.
Access
There are essentially two choices when travelling to dive sites: a larger, slower boat out of Ban Saladan (1.5 hours to Ko Haa, 3 or 4 to Hin Daeng and Hin Muang) or a speedboat departing from various beaches on the island (as little as 1 hour to Hin Daeng and Hin Muang). The slower boats are recommended for comfort reasons, but you will lose the entire day to the trip. Almost all shops offer free pickup from resorts towards the northern end of the island.
Almost all day trips are for two dives, with a third dive available at additional cost (usually 1,000 baht) Prices are in the range of 3,000–4,000 baht for a day's boat diving on the closer sites, 4,000-5,000 baht for Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Gear hire will be about 500 baht per trip. Certification is all PADI: about 15,000 baht for a 4 day Open Water course, and 12,000 baht for a two day Advanced Open Water course (5 dives). The speedboats tend to cost a little extra, and usually do not offer a third dive.
Certification
Some dive centres ask for Advanced Open Water or equivalent certifications, or 20 or more dives experience, if you are diving Hin Daeng/Hin Muang.
Fees and permits
Many of the dive sites in the Ko Lanta area fall within the jurisdiction of the Ko Lanta National Marine Park.
There is a marine park entry fee of 200 baht per person (20 baht for Thai Nationals). This is usually paid to the operator you book your trip with.
The Ko Lanta National Marine Park was formed in 1989 an includes the islands of Ko Lanta Noi, Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Haa group, Ko Rok, Ko Ngai, Ko Waen, Ko Maa, Ko Cheauk, Ko Mook, Ko Kradan and as far south as Hin Daeng & Hin Muang.
The Ko Lanta National Marine Park overseas the provision of mooring lines at the dive sites and regulates fishing activities in the area.

Service providers

• Anti Gravity Divers

  phone: +66 86 2885283, +66 87 4741066 (mobile)
  address: 296 Moo 6, Klong Nin Beach
  PADI Dive Resort run by a group of friendly and young dive instructors. PADI training from Open Water Diver to divemaster. Dive boat The MV Angry Bird departs from Klong Nin Beach with shortest journey time to Ko Haa.

• Blue Planet Divers

  phone: +66 75 684165
  address: 3 Moo 1, Saladan
  Daily dive trips departing from Saladan.

• Dive & Relax PADI Dive Resort

  phone: +66 84 8422191
  address: 223 Moo 2 Phra Ae, Saladan
  A small, friendly diving and snorkeling company offering PADI courses. Speedboat departs daily from Long Beach at 09:00 with small groups to Ko Haa, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Bida, Hin Daeng & Hin Muang, Shark Point & King Cruiser Wreck. Free speedboat transfers to/from your resort.

• Dive Safari Asia

  phone: +66 80 5269521
  address: 10/1 Moo Khuk Khak, Takuapa, Phang Nga

• Go Dive

  phone: +66 75 668320
  address: 6 Moo 1, Saladan
  PADI courses. Pickup from any Ko Lanta hotel/resort. Dive sites: Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, Ko Haa, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Bida, Hin Bida, Shark Point, Anemone Reef and King Cruiser wreck.

• Ko Lanta Diving Center

  phone: +66 75 684065
  address: 1/3 Moo 1, Saladan
  PADI training. The first dive shop on Ko Lanta, founded in 1992. Dive sites: Ko Haa, Ko Bida and Hin Bida, Ko Phi Phi, Shark Point, Anemone Reef and King Cruiser wreck, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Also 2-day trips to Ko Ngai and Hin Daeng.

• Kon-Tiki Lanta Diving & Snorkeling Center

  phone: +66 75 668394
  Diving and snorkelling trips to Ko Haa, Ko Bida and Hin Bida, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Snorkeling trips to Ko Haa Yai, Ko Phi Phi Islands and Ko Rok. PADI 5-Star IDC & GoEco Operator.

• Laguna Fun Divers

  phone: +66 75 684528
  address: 147 Moo 1, Saladan
  PADI courses. Speedboat trips: Hin Daeng, Ko Rok, Ko Haa, Ko Ma, Hin Bida and Ko Bida, Ko Phi Phi.

• Lanta Diver

  phone: +66 75 684208
  address: 197/3 Moo 1, Saladan
  PADI courses. Founded by a Swedish couple and staffed mainly, but not exclusively, by Scandinavians. Dive sites: Ko Haa, Ko Bida and Hin Bida, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Book the Hin Daeng/Hin Muang trips in advance.

• Lanta Diving Safaris

  phone: +66 87 8896802
  address: 93 Moo 1, Saladan
  PADI dive centre. The M/V Flying Seahorse is Ko Lanta's only live-aboard. Trips to Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Similan Islands including Richelieu Rock and to Burma.

• Narima Diving

  phone: +66 75 662671
  address: 98 Moo 5, Klong Nin Beach
  Short journey times to some of Thailand’s best dive sites.

• Ocean Divers

  phone: +66 808 869322
  address: 148 Moo 1, Saladan
  A PADI Dive Resort offering courses and daily dive trips from both a big boat and speedboat. Dive sites: Ko Haa, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Bida, Hin Daeng & Hin Muang, Shark Point & King Cruiser wreck.

• Palm Beach Divers

  phone: +66 75 684603, +66 87 8064314 (mobile)
  address: 47 Moo 3, Pra Ae Beach
  All PADI diving and snorkelling courses available up to PADI Instructor (IDC) Courses. Boat leaves straight from the beach for shorter travel time.

• Pimalai Divers

  phone: +66 75 607999
  address: 99 Moo 5, Kantiang Bay

• Scubafish

  phone: +66 75 665095
  address: 152/3 Moo 5, Kantiang Bay
  PADI IDC Dive Centre. Depart from Kantiang Bay in the south of Ko Lanta and be back on the beach by 14:30. Experienced guides.

Similan Islands

In Phang Nga Province, 90 km northwest of Phuket and 70 km due west of Phang Nga, the Similan Islands boast one of Thailand’s most famous diving sites and can lay claim to having one of the best diving sites in Asia. The Similans consist of nine islands (Similan means 9 in the Malay language) Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang (two adjoining islands), Ko Payan, Ko Payang, and Ko Huyong. The islands have thriving reefs and abundant delicate coral, and superb variety of marine life. It is possible to see chevron barracuda, giant trevally, manta rays, leopard sharks and rainbow runners. Accessed by liveaboards from Khao Lak and Phuket, and by day trip boats from Khao Lak.
Dive sites

Beacon Beach

Boulder City

Breakfast Bend

Christmas Point

Deep six

Donald Duck Bay

East of Eden

Elephant Head Rock

Hide-a-way

Ko Bon

Ko Tachai

Shark-fin Reef

Snapper Alley

Stonehenge

Turtle Rock

Surin Islands

This national park park consists of 5 main islands; Ko Surin Nua, Ko Surin Tai, Ko Ree (Ko Stok), Ko Pachumba and Ko Kai (Ko Torinla). Diving is similar to the Similan Islands however there are more sharks and other large marine creatures. The islands are less accessible than other dive destinations in Thailand, which ensures less crowding and the islands' pristine condition. A few kilometers to the north of the park is the Myanmar border and about 100 km to the south is Mu Ko Similan National Park.
The islands are 80 km west of Ranong Province along the west coast of Thailand.
Dive sites include

Richelieu Rock (Hin Pio Naam)

Khao Lak

Khao Lak Marine National Park has a palm fringed coastline with reefs. The area is has plentiful marine life and a couple of wrecks. The Similan Island Marine Park headquarters are here and the Similan Islands lie 50 km directly west. The local pier, at Tablamu is the main departure point for Similan Island day trips and liveaboards. The nearby sites of Richelieu Rock, Ko Bon, Ko Tachai and the Surin Islands are all accessible via speedboats for one day or overnight trips.
Dive Sites
All the dive sites under Similan Islands are accessible by day trip boats from Khao Lak. Richelieu Rock can be reached by speedboat.
There are three wrecks close to Khao Lak which are accessible by longtail boat.
Diving & snorkelling

• Blue Guru DivingScuba diving trips to the Surin Islands & Richelieu Rock. PADI dive school. Eco-Divemaster training program of over 2 months duration.

• Similan Dive Center

  phone: +66 76 490 965
  address: 67/7 Moo 5 Bang Niang Khao Lak, Phang Nga
  Similan Dive Center is a Padi dive center and Mares Dive World shop in Khao Lak offering trips to the Similan islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu rock. Liveaboard trips from 2 days - 1 night to 5 days - 5 nights. Snorkeling only liveaboards 2 days - 1 night or 3 days - 2 nights. Diving daytrips and snorkeling daytrips. Padi courses from beginner to Pro. As a Mares Dive World shop we're offering a wide range of quality diving and snorkeling equipment

• Khao Lak Explorer Dive Center

  phone: +66 76 4858106
  address: 4/81 Moo 7 Khao Lak, Phang Nga
  PADI Dive Center. Training from Open Water Diver to divemaster.

• Liquid Adventure

  phone: +66 76 485068

The Mergui Archipelago in Burma

This new diving area just south of Burma has only been opened to the public since 1997. The area is still relatively unknown and unexplored and offers the opportunity for divers to visit new dive sites. The presence of coral however is sporadic and the underwater terrain is rather rugged, making it all not quite as spectacular as the nearby Similan Islands. Parts of the area attract a diversity of sharks, manta, eagle and marbled rays.

• Aladdin Dive Safari

  phone: +66 87 2786908, +66 87 2747601
  address: Dive shops are at the northwest coast at Ranong, Ko Chang and Ko Payam
  Offers regular live aboard dive tours to the dive sites of the Mergui Archipelago in Burma (Myanmar) and to the dive sites of Krabi, Ko Lanta, Ko Surin and the Ko Similan Islands.

The Gulf of Thailand

This coast of Thailand is a gigantic shallow depression just south of Cambodia. It is roughly 60 m deep with a maximum of 85m . The area boasts 112 islands with countless fringing reefs. The reefs are not as varied as those of the Andaman Sea but the marine life is still prolific.

Ko Tao

Great for beginners and one of Asia's most popular places to get certified. Ang Thong National Marine Park nearby also has good diving.
Ko Tao, meaning 'Turtle Island', has become one of the most popular diving areas in the country. The island has an area of only 21sq km and lies north of Ko Samui and Ko Phang-ngan. Ko Tao’s popularity could be because there is something to satisfy every level of diver.

Diving in Ko Tao is easy, fun, and you can see turtles, stingrays, barracudas, lots of small fish, reef sharks, and there is a very small chance of seeing a whale shark.
Nearly any time of the year except November is good diving weather in Ko Tao and visibility can exceed 40 m. Average visibility is around 15-20 m. In November visibility is reduced and the seas are choppy, but diving can still be good by the standards of many other destinations.
It is possible and perfectly comfortable to swim and dive without a wetsuit year round. However, as with most diving, a wetsuit is recommended to help reduce risk of cuts or injury. Avoid contact with coral reefs!

Dive sites

Chumphon Pinnacles

Green Rock

Hin Ngam

Hin Pee Wee


Hin Wong Pinnacle

Japanese Gardens

Laem Thien Pinnacle

Lighthouse
Mango Bay


Nang Yuan Pinnacle (Red Rock)



Sail Rock

Shark Island

Southwest Pinnacles


Tanote Bay
Torpedo Wreck

Twin Pinnacles (Twins)

Unicorn Wreck (Dog Food Wreck)

White Rock

Diver training

There are a large number of dive operators on the island, offering dive courses from BSAC, SSI and PADI. Many centre's are offering budget accommodation (sometimes described as free accommodation, but this is not really true as you will usually get a discount if you stay elsewhere). In 2009, the price for PADI open water certification including the new PADI training manual, professional instruction, rental equipment, boat dives, and certification was around 9,800 baht; insurance and basic accommodation may also be included. Shop around as not all shops teach the course in the same way. Look for experienced dive instructors instead of a low price.
A common method for teaching new divers is to train in a pool first by being taught about 20 basic skills before being taken out into the open water. Others will instead take you to a secluded beach so you will see fish and coral from the start and you might be able to squeeze in a short extra dive in this way, depending on your group and instructor. Some shops have a private pier, some shops depart with a longtail from the beach, and some use the public pier, where you will have to climb some other boats. Ask if this matters to you. Most important: find out maximum number of dive students in a group, and make sure you get an instructor who speaks your language if you are not absolutely sure about your English. These are the little things that will make the difference between an OK course and a great one.

• Alvaro Diving

  phone: +66 77456457
  Small family-run dive and freedive shop with new equipment, recently established, flexible boat schedules and friendly multilingual staff. Teach PADI & SSI diving and SSI freediving courses in small groups in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

• Ban's Career Development Center and PADI 5 star IDC Centre

  phone: +66 10 823025
  Large dive training centre with 170 rooms, 2 swimming pools and 3 dive boats. Monthly IDC, MSDT, internships, staff instructor courses.

• Buddha View Dive Resort

  phone: +66 77 456074, +66 85 4713815
  address: 45/1 Moo 3
  PADI training. Dive education from beginner through to dive instructor level programmes. Dive and accommodation packages available.

• Calypso Diving Ko Tao

  phone: +66 77 456745
  Dive training from beginner to professional level following CMAS and PADI standards in small groups. On quiet and party free bay.

• Carabao Diving Center & Resort

  phone: +66 15 255 309
  address: The Tarna Align, 33 Moo 1, Koh Tao, Surat Thani
  Courses from one-day Discover Scuba to Open Water Diver and all the way to Divemaster professional courses. All centred around our luxury resort with 3.5 meter deep diving pool. Hostel accommodation also available. Maximum class size 4 people.

• Chic Diving

  phone: +66 15 255 309
  address: The Tarna Align, 33 Moo 1, Koh Tao, Surat Thani
  Courses from one day Discover Scuba to Open Water Diver and all the way to Divemaster professional courses. All centred around our luxury resort with 3.5 meter deep diving pool. Hostel accommodation also available. Maximum class size 4 people.

• Coral Grand Divers & Resort

  phone: +66 77 456432
  address: 15/4 Moo 1
  PADI training. Upmarket hotel suited for families. 2 dive boats plus a speed boat.

• Crystal Dive Resort

  phone: +66 77 456106
  address: Mae Haad beach
  5 star PADI dive centre and resort. Beginners, advanced and Pro-level Divemaster and Instructor training courses. Free accommodation!

• Davy Jones LockerPADI, BSAC & SSI courses. Wreck diving by high speed RIB. Divemaster Internships and PADI Instructor Training. MCA/BSAC Boat Handling courses in their RIB. Accommodation and gear packages available for all courses.

• Ko Tao Easy Divers

  phone: +66 77 456010
  PADI training. Private pier and a maximum class size of 6 students to 1 instructor.

• Nang Yuan Easy Divers

  phone: +66 077425397

• PADI IDC Koh Tao

  phone: +66 77 456107
  PADI Instructor Courses, Internships and Gap Year programs.

• Island Dive Club

  phone: +66 87 7084655
  address: 9/5 Sairee Beach
  PADI training. Course and accommodation packages. The Thai staff can be annoying, so deal with the foreigners, they really make the effort. The dive shop is not that busy, meaning you might get an instructor for yourself or be taught in a small group.

• The Koh Tao IDC Group Co LtdCMAS training. Instructor Development Courses (IDCs), MSDT, internship, staff instructor courses conducted every month by course director Jonas Samuelsson.

• Master Scuba Divers Co Ltd

  phone: +66 77 456314
  address: 25/3 Moo 2, Mae Haad
  SSI and BSAC training. Good safety record and well placed. Offers technical diving.

• New Heaven Dive School

  phone: +66 77 457045
  address: 48, Moo 3
  SSI training. Involved with turtle conservation, reef restoration, "We love Ko Tao" festival, Ko Tao Under Water festival and other eco-activities.

• New Way Diving

  phone: +6677456527
  address: 24/2 Moo 1, Sairee Beach, Koh Tao
  One of the oldest and most reputable dive shops. Often the first dive boat out in the morning (car leaves for the harbour at 06:00) to avoid crowded dive sites. Small groups. Some basic accommodation available.

• New Wave Diving

  phone: +66 77 423949
  address: 3/40 Moo 1, Sairee Beach, Koh Tao
  Beach front dive shop, offers all levels of diver training, from beginner diver with no experience all the way to dive Instructor.

• Planet Scuba

  phone: +66 77 456110
  address: Mae Haad
  PADI scuba diving courses from entry level to Instructor. Regular PADI IDC programs throughout the year. Over 20 years of experience in Ko Samui and Ko Tao. Dive and accommodation packages available.

• Planet Scuba

  phone: +66 77 456110
  address: Mae Haad
  PADI scuba diving courses from entry level to Instructor. Regular PADI IDC programs throughout the year. Over 20 years of experience in Ko Samui and Ko Tao. Dive and accommodation packages available.

• Pro Dive Koh Tao

  phone: +66 83 3885648
  Direct booking for PADI training courses from entry level to Instructor. Best prices on Ko Tao and tuition from experienced and professional instructors using only the best equipment.

• Roctopus Dive

  phone: +66 77 456611
  address: 11/2 Moo 1, Sairee
  PADI, SSI, BSAC and reef conservation courses.

• Scuba Junction

  phone: +66 77 456164
  address: Sairee Beach
  SSI training. Run by Koen "Kay" De Wit, who runs a very tight shop. The equipment is well maintained and they dive and teach strictly by the rulebook. Accommodation nearby at Narakaan Bungalows.

• Seashell Dive CenterPADI training. A small local run shop with helpful multilingual staff, an OK boat and gear but no free accommodation.

• Simple Life DiversPADI 5 star Instructor Development Centre. Courses with small group sizes and beach front accommodation.

• Sunshine Divers ResortPADI training.

Other

• ACE Marine Images

  phone: +66 77 457054
  Underwater videography internships and technical diving filming.

• Deep Down ProductionsUnderwater videography & photography company which offers underwater videography internships.

• Good Time Adventures

  phone: +66 87 2753604
  Certified divers only. Fast boat taking you where you want to go when you want to go to see the best sites. Specialize in the PADI Advanced Open Water courses, conducted over a 3-4 day period. Discounts to all dive professionals.

• Koh Tao Diving Adventure

  phone: +66 85 7863243
  Specialize in training Divemasters and Instructor over a duration of 2-7 months.
• Koh Tao PROvideo, . Underwater videography company. Run by experienced underwater videographers and instructors who film and teach every day. Each course is tailor made.

• Oceans Below Underwater Videography

  address: 12/49 Moo 1
  Dive school specialising in BSAC Professional underwater videography courses and photography.

• Technical Diving ThailandMV Giamani is a tech liveaboard seeking out lost shipwrecks throughout the Gulf of Thailand, offering both technical diving training and regular expeditions from Ko Tao.

• Thailand Gap InternshipsOffer gap year internships on Ko Tao including scuba diving, muay Thai training, marine conservation, apnea (free diving) and underwater videography programs.

Get in

From Bangkok there are three main options for getting to Ko Tao.

• By air: (fastest but most expensive) Flights from Bangkok direct to Ko Samui for a few thousand baht. From Samui take one of the high speed ferries to Ko Tao (Lomprayah Catamaran or Seatran) - for about 550 baht per person and takes about 1½ hr.
• By train: From Bangkok airport go by m taxi to the main Hualamphong train station in town (about 200 baht). Travel by overnight train to Chumphon. Bed in air conditioned cabin for under 1,000 baht. From Chumphon take a high speed ferry to Ko Tao. About 500 baht per person and takes about 1½ hr.
• By bus: (the budget route) From Bangkok airport go by meter taxi to Khao San Rd (about 200 baht). At Khao San Rd you can book a combined bus and boat ticket direct to Ko Tao. This will be an overnight bus ride to Chumphon, then by ferry the rest of the way and should cost less than 1,000 baht total.

Ko Pha Ngan

Ko Pha Ngan is the ideal departure point for sites in the Angthong Marine National Park, Southwest Pinnacles, and Sailrock. As they are nearby, divers benefit from shorter journey times and being first to arrive at the sites. It also exclusively opens up night dive opportunities at Sailrock.

Ko Samui

Ko Samui is more renowned for its long sandy beaches and sizzling nightlife than its diving, but there are some enjoyable sites nearby.
Dive sites include:
SailRock

Ko Yippon

Ko Yippon consists of 50 different islands. The visibility is lower than that of the other sites in the area but the scenery is still beautiful.

Chumphon

Chumphon Province offers the visitor an astonishing array of natural attractions and it is a good place to stop and enjoy the healthy diversity of marine life and fringing reefs. One can also do some night diving.
Dive sites include:
Ko Lak Ngam

Pattaya

90 minutes from the capital, this coastal shoreline is ideal for those in Bangkok who wish to do some diving on their day off.
Dive sites include:
Hardeep Wreck:

Ko Chang Marine National Park

Ko Chang has seen an explosion in the number of visitors over the past few years. It is just one of a total of 52 islands in the Marine National Park. Even though the area has previously been victim to man-made damage, there is still the chance to enjoy fringing reefs, marine life, a wreck, giant clams and snorkeling. Visibility is usually around 10 m. A major draw for the Ko Chang reefs is the shallow depths, where you as a diver can get a long bottom time observing one of the largest variety of fish species anywhere in the Gulf of Thailand. This is a good place to learn scuba dive skills but while interesting, the reefs cannot compare to their counterparts in the Andaman sea.
Dive sites include:
Hin Kuak Maa

Hin Luk Bath

Hin Rap South

Hin Run Tek

PADI Divecenters

• DivingScool

  phone: +66 852 797627
  address: 18/8/1-2 Bang Bao Plaza, Bang Bao
  A small, friendly diving centre offering PADI courses and day trips. Luxury speedboat departs from Bang Bao pier at 09:00 or at 13:30 with small groups, short travel time.

Two diving association and four diving companies are operating in Thailand offering diving certification, they are:
#AIDA - The International Association for the Development of Freediving
#BSAC - The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC Thailand)
#NAUI - The National Association of Underwater Instructors
#PADI - The Professional Association of Diving Instructors
#SSI – Scuba Schools International
#TDA - TDA Diving Association (Thailand) - the Thai CMAS Federation

Dive school locations

BSAC, TDA/CMAS, PADI, NAUI and SSI offer diving instruction at every major diving site in Thailand, they are:

• Ko Chang
• Ko Lanta
• Ko Lipe
• Ko Samui
• Ko Tao
• Krabi and Ko Lanta
• Phuket
• Similan Islands

BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club) now offers instruction throughout Thailand. BSAC Thailand has some 20 dive centres on the west and east coasts.

Range of training

AIDA International

• AIDA1 - Introduction to Freediving
• AIDA2 - Freediving for Beginners
• AIDA3 - Advanced Freediver
• AIDA4 - Master Freediver
• AIDA Instructor - Becoming a Professional Freediver

This range of freediving training is only available in Phuket

TDA Diving Association (Thailand)

TDA offers the complete range of internationally recognized CMAS diving courses, including Technical and cave diving and all levels of instructor training according to CMAS diving and safety standards.

British Sub Aqua Club – Thailand

BSAC was formed in 1953 and offers comprehensive diver training programs. The certifications are internationally recognized and meet both ISO and EN standards. BSAC is also EUF Certified.
BSAC Thailand offers the following courses:
Diver certification:

• Ocean Diver
• Sports Diver
• Dive Leader
• Advanced Diver
• First Class Diver

Skill development courses:

• Powerboat handling for divers
• Chartwork navigation and dive site locating
• Diver powerboat coxswain exam (skipper)
• Professional underwater videographer
• Compressor operator
• Three mixed gas diver levels
• Mixed gas blending
• Sidemount and twinset courses
• Marine conservation course
• Accelerated decompression procedures
• Deep diver
• Wreck diver
• First Aid for divers
• Oxygen administrator
• Digital underwater photography
• Five Snorkel diver levels up to Snorkel Instructor
• Five diving instructor levels

PADI, NAUI and SSI

... offer the following courses in Thailand:

• Skin Diver
• Scuba Diver
• Open Water Diver
• Adventure Diver
• Advanced Scuba Diver
• Advanced Open Water Diver
• Deep Diver
• Dry Suit Diver (not very common due to the hot weather)
• Enriched Air Nitrox Diver
• Search & Recovery Diver
• Underwater Archeologist
• Emergency First Response
• Rescue Diver
• Dive Master
• Master Scuba Diver
• Assistant Instructor
• Instructor Development Course (Only CDC and IDC Centres)
• EFR Instructor Course (Only CDC and IDC Centres)
• Specialty Instructor (Only CDC and IDC Centres)
• Staff Instructor (Only CDC and IDC Centres)
• Master Instructor and PADI Course Director Preparation Courses (can only be found in a few CDC Centres in Thailand)

Out of all these courses offered in Thailand, the PADI Open Water Diver Course is by far the most popular.
PADI Instructor Development Courses are taught in CDC/IDC Centres on a monthly basis.

Day trips

Usually, day trips itinerary and timetable are designed to allow the diver access to select his favourite local dive sites. With 2 or 3 dive options, he can choose the trip best suitable to him. The trips usually include hotel transfers, a dive master or instructor, tanks, weights, and belts, lunch, and three to four divesdepending on the day, the destination, and the boat.
Two-day trips are also available which usually include 7-dives, hotel accommodation, and meals. They are similar to mini-liveaboards

Diving holiday packages

Diving packages are designed for tourists who want to either stay for a longer period of time or have come to Thailand especially to dive. The diving operators or agents have a variety of packages with different cost range of accommodation.
Examples
Ko Lipe Resort Packages

• Medium Budget – Castaway Resort
• Low Budget – Forra Resort

Khao Lak Resort Packages

• High Budget – Baan Khao Lak Resort
• Medium Budget – Best Western Palm Galleria Resort
• Low Budget – Khao Lak Mohin Tara Hotel

Ko Phi Phi Resort Packages

• High Budget – Holiday Inn
• Medium Budget – PP Erawan Palms Resort
• Low Budget – PP Banyan Villa

Krabi Resort Packages

• High Budget – The Cliff Ao Nang Resort
• Medium Budget – Ao Nang Villa Resort
• Low Budget – Ao Nang Paradise Resort

Ko Lanta Resort Packages

• Medium Budget – Lanta Island Resort

Ko Samui Resort Packages

• High Budget – Banburi Resort and Spa
• Medium Budget – Chaweng Villa Beach Resort
• Low Budget – AI’s Hut Hotel

Liveaboard

Liveaboard dive boats offer the opportunity to visit various locations for 3-10 days at a time. They usually require overnight travel before arriving at their destinations. All trips usually include dive masters.
These boats travel to the following locations:

• The Similan Islands
• The Surin Islands : Ko Bon, Ko Tachai and Richelieu Rock
• Hin Daeng
• The Mergui Archipelago
• The Andaman Islands

• TDA Diving Association (Thailand)

  phone: +66 76 206514, +66 76 206515
  address: 52 Moo 5, Thepkrasattri Rd, Thalang, Phuket,

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