Koh Tao Equipment considerations

[TheBcDiver]

Hi there

My gf and myself are heading to thailand in a couple of weeks time and are planning on staying on Koh Tao for approx one week.

My query is simply what sort of diving can i expect ie. is it all single tank, relatively shallow, rereational diving or would it be worth my while to take a backplate, wing and regs for setting up a twin set?

I was in the Phillippines last year and brought gear with me which was a bit of a pain in the ar*e carrying it around with me! Not sure if i want to make the same mistake again this year!

On another note, has anyone recommendations on places to stay and operators to dive with? We're looking somewhere a bit quieter to stay but close enough to where there's a bit of life

Any information greatly appreciated!

James.

 

[DevonDiver]

Hi James...

It all depends on your choice of dive operation. Most are straight-forward, sausage factory training based businesses.

That said, there is a thriving technical scene on Tao. Chat with Ayesha (Master Divers)...as she will have the answers re: doubles provision.

Most of the sites are shallow and easy. There are a few wrecks though... one decent one in 50m.

 

[TheBcDiver]

Hi Devon diver, i'm definately not looki ng at the conveyor belt type training facility i'm really looking just to get out diving with people who know what they're at and want to have a good and relaxed time. I'm trimix rb trained but would be happy with some extended range dives if they were available.
Cheers
James.

 

[drbill]

I dove Koh Tao for a week back in 2001. Given the rental equipment I had to reject or that failed on me, choose your shop carefully and inspect their rental gear. Other than those problems I enjoyed my time on the island and the diving there.

 

[DevonDiver]

Hi Devon diver, i'm definately not looki ng at the conveyor belt type training facility i'm really looking just to get out diving with people who know what they're at and want to have a good and relaxed time. I'm trimix rb trained but would be happy with some extended range dives if they were available.
Cheers
James.

Hi James,

There's an active tech community on Koh Tao. Plenty of people who understand trimix, CCR and cave diver requirements.

Definitely touch base with Ayesha Cantrell @ Master Divers. She is very active here on the board. Master Divers is a very diver-orientated operation.

Jamie Mcloud is on Scuba Board also.. he's a pioneer of tech diving in the Gulf of Thailand and the guy that found the USS Lagarto (MV Trident Technical Diving Thailand | Trimix CCR Dive, Wreck Training).

There's also 'Canada' @ Big Blue Tech

 

[ayeshacantrell]

Hello !

Yes I am here ....

Having traveled with tec gear extensively now I share your pain, we do have four very good quality sets of tec gear available and weather you choose to dive with Master Divers or not its still available to rent.

Personally having gone through the pain of lugging tec kit around, unless you are planning a full week of tec diving then I would just bring your recreational kit. There are dedicated tec trips but unless you are on one of those then the majority of diving you are going to do here is recreational.

Please mail me though as we can accommodate most things and we do understand tec and rebreather too and Im happy to help you select somewhere to stay too....we are based in a quieter area but with easy access to the livelier spots (without foregoing a good nights sleep)!

Ayesha