Scuba diving is by far the biggest attraction
on Ko Tao. Diving in Ko Tao is easy, fun,
and you can see turtles, stingrays, barracuda, lots of small fish,
reef sharks, and there is a very small chance of seeing a whale
shark.
Nearly any time of the year except November is good diving
weather in Ko Tao, In November, the
visibility is reduced and the seas are choppy, but diving is good
by the standards of many other destinations.
When diving is good, the visibility can be 40+ meters. Average
visibility is around 15-20 meters.
There are a huge number of dive operators on the island, many offering
budget accommodation (sometimes described as "free" accommodation,
but this is not really true as you will usually get a discount if
you stay elsewhere). Currently (2006) the price for PADI open water
certification including the new PADI training manual, professional
instruction, rental equipment, boat dives, and certification is
around 10,000 baht; insurance and basic accommodation may also be
included. Shop around as the price is the same but not all shops
teach the same way.
Avoid shops that use swimming pools to teach. It's cold and boring
in a pool and with 100's of students in and out every week - dirty
too! Others will instead take you to a private beach so you will
see fish and coral from the start (you can also squeeze an extra
dive in this way). Also try and find a shop with a private pier
as many others will make you climb across several boats at the main
pier. Usually your dive gear is carried for you by the many Dive
Master Trainees on the island. Ask how many students are in a group.
Many shops try and stuff 10-20 students together in a class and
you feel like cattle not customers. These are the little things
that will make the difference between an OK course and a great one.
Coral Grand. Located in a much quieter area than the other
dive shops, at the far end of the beach, the hotel is more upmarket
than most on the island although the 'free' rooms are still basic.
Operates 2 dive boats plus a speed boat.
Divepoint. Located in Mae Haad on the waterfront. Divepoint
has probably the nicest dive boat on the island, big enough that
you won't have to carry your gear to and from it. PADI and SSI.
(closed during Nov & Dec 2006)
Easy Divers. Fantastic Dive Shop with really experienced
instructors. Professional and fun with great accommodation. Based
right in the heart of Ko Tao.
IDC Ko Tao. Instructor development courses (IDC's) run every
month by English PADI Course Director Matt Bolton.
Phoenix Divers. Right on Sairee Beach, has good boats, new
gear and multilingual often western staff.
Stingray Divers. Very modern dive resort overlooking Chalok
Ban Khao Bay.
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 Koh
Tao Attractions
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 The
Island is famous for the vibrant marine life and dive scene that
co-exist here; and with a great variety of dive sites to choose
from, all abilities are catered for. There are snorkelling, fishing
and boat trips that are inexpensive and take in sights such as Shark
Island and unique Koh Nangyuan; the only three islands joined by
one sandbar in the world! There are also other water sports including
waterskiing, wake-boarding and kayaking.
Land based activities are plentiful with mountain biking, rock
climbing, para-gliding, trekking and lots of walks with viewpoints.
If you're experienced on a motorbike, it's also a fantastic place
to see from the saddle.
Mae Had Villagegoing Koh Tao has
a vibrant nightlife, with several big parties going on every month
and loads more clubs and beach bars. Had
Sairee, Mae Haad Village and
Chalok Baan Kao are the main areas, so Coral
View Resort is never far from the action. Venus Park is the
biggest bash, off twice a month just out of hearing distance from
Haad Sai Daeng.
If you're looking for the quieter side of life, Koh
Tao has a variety of Spa's, herbal steam saunas and numerous
traditional Thai massage, Tai Chi, Yoga, Reiki and Reflexology practitioners
and schools. Or there's always great value shopping and a wealth
of restaurants in the main village of Mae Haad.
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