Scuba Diving Koh Tao – Your Guide to the Island’s Dive Schools

Koh Tao is one of the world’s most popular destinations for learning to dive, with warm tropical water, year-round conditions, and dozens of professional dive schools to choose from. Whether you’re looking for your very first underwater experience or aiming to become a dive professional, the island has something for everyone.

Why Koh Tao is a Diving Hub

• Ideal conditions: warm water, calm seas, and excellent visibility most of the year.
• Affordable training: some of the best-value courses worldwide, without sacrificing quality.
• Variety of dive sites: shallow coral reefs for beginners and famous advanced sites like Chumphon Pinnacle, Southwest, and the HTMS Sattakut wreck.
• International atmosphere: dive schools teach in many languages and welcome people from all over the world.

Dive Schools on Koh Tao

There are over 50 dive centers on the island, ranging from small, family-style schools to large operations with multiple boats. A few well-known options include:

• Chalok Reef Divers – a friendly SSI dive center based in Chalok Baan Kao.
• Taco Shack Divers – a social, backpacker-friendly option connected to a popular hostel.
• Fifty Six – boutique diving with a focus on small groups and personal service.
• Bans Diving – one of the largest dive schools in the world, training thousands of divers each year.
• Black Turtle Dive – conservation-focused diving and marine ecology programs.
• Assava Diving – long-established school in Chalok offering PADI courses and professional training.
• Phoenix Divers – centrally located in Sairee, with courses taught in multiple languages.

Each school has its own style, atmosphere, and teaching philosophy, so it’s worth thinking about what matters most to you — small groups, social vibe, conservation focus, or professional-level training.

Dive Agencies You’ll Find on Koh Tao

Training agencies provide the standards and certifications that are recognized worldwide. The main agencies represented on the island are:

• SSI (Scuba Schools International): flexible digital learning options and student-friendly teaching methods.
• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): the most widely recognized agency worldwide.
• RAID: known for high training standards and eco-conscious diving practices.
• Other agencies such as NAUI and SDI/TDI are also available through selected schools.

Popular Diving Courses

• Try Scuba / Discover Scuba Diving: a half-day experience with pool skills and a reef dive, perfect for beginners.
• Open Water Diver: the most popular entry-level certification (3–4 days), allowing you to dive to 18–20 meters worldwide.
• Advanced Open Water: build confidence and skills with deep diving, wreck diving, buoyancy, or night diving.
• Specialties & Professional Courses: including Rescue Diver, Divemaster, Nitrox, and technical diving programs.

What to Know Before You Dive

• You’ll complete a medical questionnaire before starting; some conditions require doctor’s clearance.
• Always leave at least 18–24 hours before flying after your last dive.
• Many courses now offer eLearning options so you can finish the theory at home and maximize your time in the water.

Ready to explore? Start with an Open Water Course, book a Try Dive, or check out our full list of scuba diving courses for more details.