Why Koh Tao?
Koh Tao (Turtle Island) is one of the world’s best places to learn to scuba dive — warm clear water, abundant marine life, and extremely competitive prices for dive courses. It’s also a beautiful small island with excellent beaches and good nightlife.
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Diving on Koh Tao
PADI Open Water Course
The gold standard first-time diver certification. Takes 3–4 days. You’ll complete theory, confined water skills, and 4 open water dives.
Price: ฿9,000–12,000 for full Open Water course (among the cheapest in the world).
Best dive schools: Big Blue Diving, Crystal Dive, Ban’s Diving (largest, most efficient), Master Divers (smaller, more personalized).
Best dive sites:
- Chumphon Pinnacle: Whale sharks regularly spotted (seasonal)
- Sail Rock: Between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. Huge fish aggregations.
- Shark Island: Blacktip reef sharks common
- Japanese Gardens: Best for beginners and snorkelers
Snorkeling
Excellent without certification. Shark Bay (Ao Leuk) is the best snorkeling spot — leopard sharks rest on the sandy bottom.
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Best Beaches on Koh Tao
Sairee Beach: The main beach. Long, good swimming, beach bars and restaurants along the whole strip.
Haad Rin (accessible by boat): Small, beautiful cove.
Shark Bay (Ao Leuk): Remote feeling, excellent snorkeling, leopard sharks.
Koh Nang Yuan: Small tri-island just 10 minutes by boat. White sand bar connecting three hills — most photographed spot near Koh Tao.
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Getting to Koh Tao
From Bangkok: Overnight bus to Chumphon (7 hours) + ferry (2 hours). Total ฿800–1,200.
From Koh Samui: 2-hour ferry, ฿600.
From Koh Phangan: 1.5-hour ferry, ฿400.
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Snorkeling tours around Koh Tao and day trips to Koh Nang Yuan are bookable on Klook. Book dive courses directly with dive schools on the island.
Book Koh Tao diving & snorkeling tours on Klook →
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