Thailand - Ko Tao diving

lipi

We're heading to thailand in 2 weeks and intend doing a PADI course in Ko Tao. Have posted on tripadviser for recommendations but not getting much help.

Has anyone been to Ko Tao that can recommend a diving school that's perfect for a very nervous beginner? We're a married couple in their early 30s so just want comfort and safety, not interested in the craic!

macca1983

lipi wrote: »

We're heading to thailand in 2 weeks and intend doing a PADI course in Ko Tao. Have posted on tripadviser for recommendations but not getting much help.

Has anyone been to Ko Tao that can recommend a diving school that's perfect for a very nervous beginner? We're a married couple in their early 30s so just want comfort and safety, not interested in the craic!

There are dive schools all over Ko Tao - i was only there 2/3 months ago. Unfortunately i can't even remember the name of the dive place.

Just rock up to the island and you will be fine. People will be giving you leaflets on the boat on the way over from the mainland (generally you will get cheaper accomadation if you go with thier dive school). Where ever you stay will be connected to a dive school.

Kao Tao is one of the best and cheapest places in the world to get your certification.

Larianne

I dived with Crystal Dive in 2006 and my instructor was Kenji Takahashi. He was a fab instructor and always made me feel safe. I did my Open Water course there. http://idc.crystaldive.com/index.htm

Edit: just re-read the post. Kenji will make you feel really safe. My bf was very nervous of the water and Kenji tried his best with him in the pool, gave him extra time and instruction. Unfortunately, the bf decided he just couldn't do it but Kenji went looking for him to give him extra lessons in the pool.

Fratton Fred

you might try asking on the Scuba Diving forum as well, under the sports section.

lipi

Fratton Fred wrote: »

you might try asking on the Scuba Diving forum as well, under the sports section.

Thanks, never thought of that

spillcoe

I went with Easy divers. They were pretty good. Was a few years ago now but looking at their website it looks like they still have some of the same instructors there.



http://www.kohtaoeasydivers.com/kt_hm.htm

TheNibbler

Around this time last year myself and my boyfriend did a PADI course in Ban's Diving Resort on Koh Tao. Found the instructors to be very professional and friendly. I was quite nervous about doing the course but ended up enjoying it so much.

They also give you a discount on accommodation in their resort and on an unrelated note the food at their resort is amazing!

http://www.kohtaobansdiving.com/

dr.bollocko

Ban's Diving resort was a pretty nice place to stay and learn. Big diving pool, nice location. Cheap enough and all. I think there are also places that reduce the cost of your accommodation if you do a PADI course. TBH the ole Thailand guide book would have all you need. Ah Ko Tao.
Desperate to get back there.

Fiii

I second Bans. Great place.
If Mel is still around, ask for her. I had a terrible time equalising my ears and had to make several attempts to make it down the guide rope on my first sea dive (they train you in the pool first) but she was very patient with me and made me feel at ease

vixenbees

I did the PADI in Bans too, its a great place!

lipi

Any idea what their ratio of instructors to pupils is in Bans?

Also how many head out on the boat together? We were in Borneo last year and went on the dive boats for snorkling which were completely packed and make me nervous at the thought.

vixenbees

lipi wrote: »

Any idea what their ratio of instructors to pupils is in Bans?

Also how many head out on the boat together? We were in Borneo last year and went on the dive boats for snorkling which were completely packed and make me nervous at the thought.

I think there was about 10 or 12 of us? It defiantely wasn't a big gang anyway cos we would've have fitted in the pool at the initial training.

TheNibbler

As far as I can remember Ban's had a max of 6 pupils per instructor (I could be wrong) but at the time that we went there was 3 or 4 of us in our group with one instructor.

lipi

I've sent Ban's an email for some info but slow to reply.

Anyone used Scuba Junction. They've excellent reviews on tripadvisor and it's a max of 4 to 1.

mac123

lipi wrote: »

Any idea what their ratio of instructors to pupils is in Bans?

Also how many head out on the boat together? We were in Borneo last year and went on the dive boats for snorkling which were completely packed and make me nervous at the thought.

There was usually about 30 people or more on the boat with bans. I enjoyed my experience with them, did the open water and the advanced. For my advanced course we had 1 instructor for 4 of us and the open water had a group of 20 with four instructors.
Personally if i was to do it again I would go with one of the smaller dive schools. They had some good deals when I was there last year!

Crazyivan 1979

Just back from Ko Tao, didn't do any diving (bad asthma), But where we stayed in Hat Sae Ree beach, the AC resort, They did the pre dive training in the resort swimming pool. Good I suppose if you're a bit nervous.

You don't have to be a guest there to do the diving. But I think you get a discounted room rate if you plan to do some diving with them.