Koh Tao diving compared to Central America

[Robertcrockett]

I've started a little research on Koh Tao. I plan on obtaining my DM around spring and interning a bit. I am wondering if anyone can tell me how the area diving, temp, vis, sea life and such, compare with Belize, Honduras, etc... I love Central America but I have heard great things about Thailand and thought I would give it a go.

 

[marinediva]

Robert, I have not been to Central America, I have been to Koh Tao, in terms of diving it is not a paradise. It is a training island. The benefit I see, is it places you in a diving hotspot both for your future use of your DM cert and other, very beautiful diving not so far away and very cheap to get to. Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali, Phuket even India has a growing market.
I don't think its fair to compare, as each place may offer different things for different needs.
If you want to work after your course, Thailand is a good place to put yourself,
which could also be the case for Central America!

 

[DevonDiver]

Firstly, Koh Tao is not Thailand. It is the main training location (due to cost and close proximity to the 'Full Moon Party'), but it is not the best diving in Thailand.

I've lived and dived in Belize and also Koh Tao. The Belize cayes (Caulker and Ambergris) have a very simular atmosphere to Koh Tao. Very laid back and 'barefoot' with little commercialised ammenities. I found Koh Tao to be more 'scuba orientated' wheras the Belizian islands attracted a wider market of tourists.

Belize didn't have as much to offer underwater as Thailand IMHO. Thailand has a wider variety of marine biodiversity, especially in regard to macro subjects. Belize was generally shallower dives, around the fringing barrier reef (second largest barrier reef in the world) and had a nice array of hard and soft corals. There was a large number of reef and nurse sharks, along with many large stingray. The most famous dive is the Blue Hole... unlike any other dive in the world! Water is generally very clear with good visibility. Avoid hurricane season.

Koh Tao has a variety of dive sites. The best are deeper pinnacle dives, featuring Reef and Bull sharks, turtle, grouper and massed barracuda and jack schools. Visibility is variable and ranges from 5m to 30m depending on season and current weather. Monsoon season brings lingering torrential rain and heavy seas.

Koh Tao is focused on the backpacker market, so the price for accommodation is generally much cheaper that Belize.

 

[Quero]

I've started a little research on Koh Tao. I plan on obtaining my DM around spring and interning a bit. I am wondering if anyone can tell me how the area diving, temp, vis, sea life and such, compare with Belize, Honduras, etc... I love Central America but I have heard great things about Thailand and thought I would give it a go.

To be honest, for the quality of diving, Tao isn't all that great in comparison with the west coast of Thailand. However, as a training area for DM work, you do get the chance to be a tank jockey quite a lot since the shops are busy, busy, busy! So it's a trade off cheap and busy in exchange for so-so diving. Having said that, you'll be just a hop away from much more interesting diving on the west coast. You don't say when in the spring you'll be coming, but you might consider jumping on a liveaboard to the Similans if you're here at the right time. The Similans National Park is open until May 1.

Water temps--around 82°F.
Vis--variable, but 30 to 50 feet is probably about average.
Marine life--Tropical reef fish, tunas, jacks, sharks, anemones, barracudas, sea snakes, stingrays, sponges, corals, groupers, turtles, nudibranchs, shrimps, lobsters, crabs, urchins, sea stars, sea cucumbers, and if you're lucky, whale sharks!
Comparison to Central Amercia My impression is that there are more sponges there in CA and less diversity of fish species. CA also has those trippy famingo tongue shells, which we don't have here.

 

[Bowmouth]

CA also has those trippy famingo tongue shells, which we don't have here.

But we DO have beautiful spindle / egg cowries (Ovulidae) with extremely striking species like the Crenavolva tigris that can be found on most of our reefs.

 

[lord khram]

Great diving in both Thailand and Central America, as has been said previously on the thread, difficult to compare the two places.
If I was looking at things only from the point of view of diving, I would select Central America (Belize is the place I have dived).
For the all round experience taking everything into consideration I think Thailand is far superior. Thats why I live here.

 

[Divemastersintraining]

I agree did a little diving on that side of the world not too long ago (Belize and cenote diving in Mayan Riv.) and I do enjoy Thailand better. People, social atmosphere, oh yea diving too. Koh Tao has great opportunities for new pro divers and not all dive shops/resorts here support tank jockey programs...

 

[DevonDiver]

Koh Tao has great opportunities for new pro divers...

I wouldn't go so far as to say "great". Koh Tao has a big dive market...lots of students...and that means lots of OW courses to be taught. The demand for instructors is high.

However, the (very small) island also has several IDC centers...producing dozens of new instructors every month. All of those instructors are desperate to get work and experience.

The vast majority of new instructors become freelance. They will work for one, or more, dive centers on a commission only, cash-in-hand, basis. Initially they will get called in on an ad-hoc basis when the shop needs extra instructors. After a very long period of time, then they may get lucky and put into the regular rotation of instructors who take turns to run courses.

There are not many instructors on Koh Tao who are directly employed by dive centers and paid any sort of salary. The only instructors who get lots of work or signed up with schools quickly, are those with a variety of language skills. Languages are in high demand on Tao.

Due to the volume of instructors on Tao, coupled with their desperation to get experience, the average pay for instructors is minimal.

 

[ayeshacantrell]

I have dived in Honduras and Belize and prefer Thailand for the abundance of fish and the diversity.

I live on Koh Tao....you can follow the link below which will show you my FB album of fotos from diving around Koh Tao....

Welcome to Facebook

 

[stevenl]

Divingwise both are not very special imo.
But with the vibe of koh tao and the excellent diving close by, i'd recommend koh tao over roatan/utila.