Diving in Koh Tao, Thailand

[cgf]

hi there,
I'm newbie, this is my first post and I'm longing for going to Ko Tao not for a school, just diving, but I can’t find a decent and not overpriced accommodation.

Sure, Ko Tao uses to be a backpacker destination, lately things are changing, things and people as who goes there is not going for having only fun at night otherwise it would be not possible Ko Tao is on top in the world for PADI licences sold. Also my wife and I are no longer backpackers type clientele, we will be two of those people who will have roller luggage (no children) because we like doing our dives with our gears which would be a little heavy in a rucksack.

as I wish going there next month, just after full moon party, booking in advance seems strongly adviced, so where? I actually do not look for a big five stars resort, let's say a decent room, not up to hill, better with hot water and safe box and clean so I have not to hear my wife's complains every time something is not right.
*it's supposed to be our holiday and 'fun' diving*

I did contact few resorts (diving ones) I found on net, pictures and descriptions were good, I do know it will be never like, let’s say ‘almost’, but when I wanted a written confirmation of that kind of room, maybe I read about too many scams, they asked to pay deposit for my confirmation and sure the best will be done. The best of what? I heard of people did not have they deposit back and other troubbles… let’s say it will be my holiday and last thing I wish is to complain.

I do know you get what it’s paid for, “to have to pay in advance a deposit and something will be done” is not the best prelude, isn’t it?
For a decent and not overpriced accommodation I do not mean it must be the cheapest. As previously written, I want “just simply to be provided with what I have paid for.”

any help? tnks

cgf

btw I read here about taxi from pier to hotel, this is could be nice.

 

[jkaterenchuk]

hi there,
I'm newbie, this is my first post and I'm longing for going to Ko Tao not for a school, just diving, but I can’t find a decent and not overpriced accommodation.

I am not the Koh Tao expert (i have been there a couple of times) but it might be helpful when one comes along if you share what your price range might be. Overpriced for one person is inexpensive for another. You might have caviar expectations but still a backpackers pocket book.

When I go to Thailand I tend to throw my home country ways and expectation out the window and take in the local culture that way disappointment does not become the focus of the trip.

John

 

[DevonDiver]

hi there,
I'm newbie, this is my first post and I'm longing for going to Ko Tao not for a school, just diving, but I can’t find a decent and not overpriced accommodation.

btw I read here about taxi from pier to hotel, this is could be nice.

IMHO, the smaller schools tend to offer better service for fun diving...mostly because you wont be sharing the boat with a horde of OW trainees, or have you dive sites dictated by the requirements of running courses.

From my experience, Master Divers (Mae Haad), DJL, and Seashell Divers offered a better priority for fun diving trips. MD and DJL also used to run tailored diving trips in RIBs (not sure if that still happens?)

Knowing which dive sites you want to visit also helps...do some internet research on the sites and see what most interests you. There is a wide variety of shallow, easy sites around Koh Tao - but the best diving is to be found at Chumporn Pinnacle, South West Pinnacle and (further afield) Sail Rock. When you are on Tao, you can shop around to see which dive centers are visiting which sites the next day and then book with them.

When you get off the ferry, there is always a horde of touts and taxis waiting to greet you...so transport is never an issue. However, if you have pre-booked accommodation - then stipulate to them that they should pick you up when you arrive (they will, if you ask).

 

[cgf]

Thanks for hearing me
Surely you've already seen English is not my own language... I'm sorry if sometime I would not explain corectly what I meant. I try to do better.
about accomodation I wrote

For a decent and not overpriced accommodation I do not mean it must be the cheapest. As previously written, I want “just simply to be provided with what I have paid for.”

Overpriced... let say in many Countries everything is nearly always overpriced for foreigners, but it's not this the point...
anytime and everywhere when two people are trading, one is happy to sell and the other thinks the good bargain he is doing. Things changes a lot if who buys discovers to do not get what he paid for.
Again, it's not a matter where you are... where you go, it's simply to be provided with what you have paid for.
I would like to remark it's not only matter of money.

I read funny stories of people had to pay in full an AC bung to be sure to have it [nothing strange here] then it does not matter if AC is noisy but it has to work and it has to be a bung and not, once there, there is only a room with only a small window and only a [noisy] fan because *manyreasons*.

I believe if I wanted that room, I'd bought, 'that' has to be offered instead of AC bungs if they are sold out as who brings the money perfectly knows it.

So let's wear my shoe for a minute, I've also been asked to pay in full in advance [nothing strange here], the only guarantee is to pay first and then, when I ask a confermation, they answered the best will be done

I did contact few resorts (diving ones) I found on net, pictures and descriptions were good, I do know it will be never like, let’s say ‘almost’, but when I wanted a written confirmation of that kind of room, maybe I read about too many scams, they asked to pay deposit for my confirmation and sure the best will be done. The best of what? I heard of people did not have they deposit back and other troubbles… let’s say it will be my holiday and last thing I wish is to complain.

Thanks Andy for the suggestions, DJL is Davy Jones Locker, isn't it?
Actually I was already looking for MD and DJL, I did not contact them, I'll do it during weekend.

 

[jamiemac]

Thanks for hearing me
Surely you've already seen English is not my own language... I'm sorry if sometime I would not explain corectly what I meant. I try to do better.
about accomodation I wrote


Overpriced... let say in many Countries everything is nearly always overpriced for foreigners, but it's not this the point...
anytime and everywhere when two people are trading, one is happy to sell and the other thinks the good bargain he is doing. Things changes a lot if who buys discovers to do not get what he paid for.
Again, it's not a matter where you are... where you go, it's simply to be provided with what you have paid for.
I would like to remark it's not only matter of money.

I read funny stories of people had to pay in full an AC bung to be sure to have it [nothing strange here] then it does not matter if AC is noisy but it has to work and it has to be a bung and not, once there, there is only a room with only a small window and only a [noisy] fan because *manyreasons*.

I believe if I wanted that room, I'd bought, 'that' has to be offered instead of AC bungs if they are sold out as who brings the money perfectly knows it.

So let's wear my shoe for a minute, I've also been asked to pay in full in advance [nothing strange here], the only guarantee is to pay first and then, when I ask a confermation, they answered the best will be done


Thanks Andy for the suggestions, DJL is Davy Jones Locker, isn't it?
Actually I was already looking for MD and DJL, I did not contact them, I'll do it during weekend.

Are you buying this dream accmmodation and coming to live with us on Koh tao, or just looking for a room for a few days while you do some diving?

What a lot of fuss

 

[penguintom]

Are you buying this dream accmmodation and coming to live with us on Koh tao, or just looking for a room for a few days while you do some diving?

What a lot of fuss

Sounds to me cgf just wants what he booked and paid for, not too much to ask for I dont think.

 

[cgf]

Sounds to me cgf just wants what he booked and paid for, not too much to ask for I dont think.

and it does not matter if I buy or hire for few days an accomodation for living wih other people, anyway, work in progress awaiting for an confirmation.

 

[jamiemac]

Sorry to sound cynical, but I really miss the days when dive centres did diving, and resorts did rooms, breakfasts etc..............

 

[jamiemac]

Sorry to sound cynical, but I really miss the days when dive centres did diving, and resorts did rooms, breakfasts etc..............

OOPS!

Now I look like a proper ****, I forgot for a moment that I run a liveaboard , but at leat that rooms and meals at sea.

J

 

[limbo]

Took you only 3 minutes to figure that out. Not bad at that age :signofcross: