Thailand - Ko Tao diving

lipi

Anyone been to Ko Tao that recommend a diving school to do the open water PADI course?

Am a very nervous beginner and really think I'll need extra attention.

tickledhoney

Hi Lipl

I'm qualified with a few years now but my friend did her PADI course with Big Blue last summer, they're based on the beach. They give you a choice of PADI or SSI. I think most people go with PADI. From my experience, they were well run, safety conscious and my friend received good instruction. However be aware that that was my impression from diving with them last summer. I can't stand over who they have on their team of instructors right now. They incorporate accomodation into the package which is reasonable but as we hadn't pre-booked last year had to stay around a 10 minute walk away from the resort itself.

I've also heard good reports on B.A.N.S. diving resort but I didn't dive with them. They also do good deals on accomodation if you are diving with them which might be an added bonus and I hear the accomodation is nice.

Where ever you do chose to go, make sure your decision is not just guided by price as low price may not mean the best safety, best equipment or best instructors.....

Safe diving. You'd never know, we might see you on an Irish site sometime.....

Catmologen

Did it a few years back with Crystal Dive, thought they were very good.

rahtkennades

I did my divemaster with Bans a few years ago and found them very good, and quite central along the beach. In any centre that's PADI or SSI will have a basic standard of instructor. After that it's the niceties of location, options and price.
Enjoy!

lipi

Thanks for the replies.

I'm going to go with Scuba Junction as they guarantee a max of 4 per instructor whereas Bans aren't committing to any number. The price is the same and I think I'd be more comfortable with extra attention.

chop2

scuba junction is a great choice, i dove with them last week. they are very professional and will guarantee an enjoyable dive. make sure to get the tee shirt afterwards!

BigDuffman

+1 Catamologen

In my exp. Crystal Dive are the best outift on the Island. Free Accom. and their right beside the ferry with 2 resorts, quality instructors and direct access to beach etc.

http://www.crystaldive.com/

I'm heading over in June to do my Divemaster Cse.

Awesome-O

I was there this summer, I already have my PADI and only planned on doing 1 days diving. I went with New Way because we bumped into a friend from home over there who recommended them.

http://www.newwaydiving.com/

We ended up staying an extra week, I did 6 dives with them and my friend did her open water. I can't recommend them highly enough. They're the only National Geographic Dive Centre on the island, they have small groups especially when you see the size of other boats going out which means not so many people in the water and if you choose to do a 6am dive, which I would recommend, then you will be the 1st boat out and see everything before the sand has been disturbed for the day.
The instructors and divemasters are great and super friendly.

New Way, like most dive centres on Koh Tao also offer accomodation but if you choose to find your own acomodation they will give you a discount on your course if you ask them.

I'll be so jealous if you chose to go with them because I would give anything to go back.

lipi

Just back from our trip and we did our Open Water Course with Scuba Junction.

There was 1 instructor between 4 of us which was fine and on the boat no more than 20 max. Couldn't believe how much homework was involved (brought us back to our school days) but got through it and was delighted.

I'm told Ko Tao is one of the cheapest places to dive but don't think I'd recommed it for the sites as we didn't see much interesting marine life. Apparently there are far better places on the Andaman coast.

Hopefully we'll be brave enough to continue now:eek: