Diving Koh Tao

[Cnst1983]

Hi guys,

Does anyone have any recommendations for sites/ shops to use in Koh Tao? Heading there next week and was looking at Phoenix Divers, but am always open to suggestion!

Cheers!

Chris

 

[DevonDiver]

1) Shop: Master Divers

2) Sites: Chumporn Pinnacle, Sail Rock, South-West Pinnacle, MV Trident. (the others are just trashed training sites, overswamped with crowds of divers)

 

[Cnst1983]

That's awesome, thanks very much. I don't suppose there's anywhere you'd recommend to stay? Looking budget unfortunately.

 

[DevonDiver]

Master Divers is in Mae Haad (where the pier is). It's cheaper to get accommodation in that area, especially the guest houses 'at the top of the road/s'. The main alternative is Sairee Beach - more expensive. You can always walk to Sairee if you want the nightlife.

Ayesha from MD is here on SB. Sure she'll be along to the thread soon. I'm sure she can point you towards some cost-effective accommodation in your budget.

 

[Serge Tao]

What's your budget? High season is fading away, enough choice in accommodation.

 

[AleG]

White Rock is a nice dive site too, at least in my experience, and it's very close to Sairee Beach. Not quite as good as Chumporn Pinnacle but worth a visit or two, good for night diving too.

 

[supergaijin]

Depends if your idea of "good for night diving" consists of a scene from Star Wars! It's not uncommon to have a half dozen boats tied up there.

The standout sites of Koh Tao IME were Chumphon, South West and Sail Rock. If you're lucky there may still be a few bull sharks hanging around. There's a bit of macro to find as well- sea horses for example can be found... if you know in which direction to swim. The constant crashing around by student groups means they are normally not to be found on the other training sites.

Normally you can get a decent deal on accom by saying either at the dive center backpacker, or at one of their 'friends', especially if you sign up for a AOW or Resc course.

To appreciate the outer reefs like Chumphon and SW, you need to leave 45mins before the other dive boats. If not you're jumping in to bubbles. New Way Diving opposite the 7-11 at Sairee used to leave early in order to do this- not sure if they still do now.

 

[ayeshacantrell]

Hi there !

There is some great budget accommodation around us and while they remain quiet in the evening for a good nights sleep you are in easy walking distance to Sairee for a night out. There are bars and restaurants closer too. Most of our divers stay near by for this reason. The simplist accommodation starts at 500B per night for a fan room with own bathroom and hot water. A fan bungalow with hot water will be around 600B.

You can email me through here if you want more information .....

See you soon !

Ayesha

 

[gargar]

I hope you ended up diving at Phoenix!

I did my open water there and it was a great experience.

 

[Zsuzsika]

We have plans to be in Thailand in mid-November. Though we will be heading to Phuket first, we thought about going to Koh Tao next. I hear that the November may not be a good month to go diving, so we do have a back-up plan. How is the weather shaping up so far? Hear that last year in Nov wasn't as bad as it can get - some shops still went diving. Even if we can't go diving, will we be washed out in November? I am okay with a few sprinkles and some sun - don't need it to be perfect. But I also don't want to spend the entire time indoors.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Suzi