Koh Tao -Thailand

[Aspen-Diver]

Hello All, Looking for any helpful info on your experience diving in Koh Tao, more specifically, what you woul recommend for accomodations, Thanks- Dave

 

[DandyDon]

Hello All, Looking for any helpful info on your experience diving in Koh Tao, more specifically, what you woul recommend for accomodations, Thanks- Dave

Well, Dave - this is the forum where you get to Introduce yourself, but since you didn't, I'll ask a Mod to move it.

Hope you'll come back here and do that.

 

[drbill]

I dove Koh Tao 3-4 years ago. I enjoyed it but Koh Phi Phi was much better. You might search for previous threads about Koh Tao as there have been a number of them.

Best fishes,

Dr. Bill

 

[DORSETBOY]

If like me you're a bit lazy when it comes to checking previous threads (only kidding!) I can recommend JP resort for your accomodation, try n get a hcalet up the side of the hill and you get a fantastic view at sunset. Food's good and there's a fantastic restaurant down the road, think it's called New Heaven, over the cliff top.

Most of the dive centres are very good, cant think of any that are particularly bad! bew aware though that the larger shops boats are cattle trucks (packed with divers), try and go for a small or medium sized shop. can recommend asia divers personally but as a general rule the standards are high.

pm me if you'd like any other details.

Greg Jenkins

 

[ssra30]

Personally I actually quite like the so call cattle boats at Koh Tao I usually prefer Ban's for a couple of reasons, they have one of the biggest boats, granted they sometimes have a good 30-40 people on the boat but it never felt to crowded and quite comfortable especially when going out to places like Chumporn Pinnacle where there is really no shelter and if the sea is a bit rough, I just prefer a bigger boat with more spots to hide when I throw up! Ban's have lots of DM and DM trainee so number of divers per DM/DM trainee is pretty good. They also have their own resort, restuarant, diveshop etc so it is nice an easy to settle all the bill at once (no I don't suggest that you should only eat at one place but it is convenient for breakfast and quick lunch).
Tried a smaller outfitter (supposedly with good reputation) once but not as impressed and the boat and accomodation was not as comfortable.
I generally prefer Sairee Beach (?sp, where Ban's is situated) location myself. I have not heard of any particular place that is horrible that should be avoided. I think the competition is strong enough around there that they would have to offer a similar level of service/value/professionalism in order to survive there.
For some reason, Ban's restuarant also has the best watermelon slushy drink I ever had in Thailand! I easily go through 5-6 of those everyday when I was there last.

 

[DORSETBOY]

I just prefer a bigger boat with more spots to hide when I throw up!

lol, that's true, nothing worse than being in a small boat and being sick.. esp when you're facing into the wind! :11:

 

[travelem]

I also recommend Sairee beach, but I also agree Krabi/PP/Phuket has a lot better dive sites.

http://www.kohtaoonline.com/

 

[TDS]

There many nice diving spots around Koh Tao, but i would not reccomend to dive there in this time of the year. Waves are quite high and vis in not at best. if you want nice 20m vis, for this month go to Koh Chang, Similans or Surin Islands. We can book all, but if going to Koh Tao anyway, Coral Grand Resort will be best. Rooms are not cheap, but with diving package you can get special prices.

 

[Jonas Samuelsson]

Welcome to Koh Tao! I am the course director for a few divecenters over here (Bans Diving, Big Blue Diving, Sunshine Divers etc) all 5-Star IDC Centers. I base my idcs at Bans Diving on Koh Tao who got really good facilities directly on Sairee beach. Crystal and Planet are good schools as well. There is a lot of accommodation that is independent to the divecenters as well but you can get deals if you book both accommodation and diving with the same center. Check out www.idc-koh-tao.com for more information. Take care Jonas

 

[Jonas Samuelsson]

Thanks for that and i hope you come back to koh tao for some more diving! Free watermelon slushy drink next time i see you over here!!! Greetings from Jonas Samuelsson (PADI Course Director Bans Diving)

Personally I actually quite like the so call cattle boats at Koh Tao I usually prefer Ban's for a couple of reasons, they have one of the biggest boats, granted they sometimes have a good 30-40 people on the boat but it never felt to crowded and quite comfortable especially when going out to places like Chumporn Pinnacle where there is really no shelter and if the sea is a bit rough, I just prefer a bigger boat with more spots to hide when I throw up! Ban's have lots of DM and DM trainee so number of divers per DM/DM trainee is pretty good. They also have their own resort, restuarant, diveshop etc so it is nice an easy to settle all the bill at once (no I don't suggest that you should only eat at one place but it is convenient for breakfast and quick lunch).
Tried a smaller outfitter (supposedly with good reputation) once but not as impressed and the boat and accomodation was not as comfortable.
I generally prefer Sairee Beach (?sp, where Ban's is situated) location myself. I have not heard of any particular place that is horrible that should be avoided. I think the competition is strong enough around there that they would have to offer a similar level of service/value/professionalism in order to survive there.
For some reason, Ban's restuarant also has the best watermelon slushy drink I ever had in Thailand! I easily go through 5-6 of those everyday when I was there last.