Koh Tao diving compared to Central America

[Terry2Puds]

Did a week in Koh Tao and then a week on a liveabaord diving the Similans.

To be honest Koh Tao was a little boring and the dive guides were very inexperienced in fact we had to rescue one as he got tangled up when he tried to deploy his DSMB.

The Similans was totaly different we had two Thai dive guides who were superb and the dive was equally as good.

Koh Tao had a good choice of restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere.

 

[lord khram]

To be honest Koh Tao was a little boring and the dive guides were very inexperienced in fact we had to rescue one as he got tangled up when he tried to deploy his DSMB.

REALLY!!!!!

But on a more serious note, I would have to agree with your comment here. The diving on KT is ok but nothing spectacular, as most places in the Gulf of Thailand.
My limited experience of KT diving gave me the impression that if you are not into the back packer / full moon party scene etc etc, there are much better places to go for both diving and the general environment.
KT would not be on my list of dive holiday destinations, but we all have our different requirements.
Been there 3 times, enjoyed every trip, but far from my favourite place.

 

[DevonDiver]

The Koh Tao restaurants and beachside bars are great. I now live in Manila, and I can honestly say I prefered the selection and quality of restaurants in Tao to those here in a capital city.

Inexperienced DMs?... of course. Most of them come for the Full Moon Party and find themselves arriving on Tao the next morning with a monster hangover (and lots of neon body paint). They enroll on an OW course 'because that's the thing to do' on Tao. They enjoy the course, make friends...get laid after a night in Lotus Bar.... and then their instructor whispers to them...."you could always stay longer and be a divemaster....."

And so they do... 1 month and 60 dives later... they celebrate their 'Snorkel Test' graduation party and head out the next morning, hung over and syphallitic, with a bunch of fun divers in tow..

Love Koh Tao

 

[lord khram]

And so they do... 1 month and 60 dives later... they celebrate their 'Snorkel Test' graduation party and head out the next morning, hung over and syphallitic, with a bunch of fun divers in tow..

Love Koh Tao

Sounds great and I dare say it is great fun for those 'on the inside'. But I can assure you it's not so much fun for those of us that pay for a days fun diving and expect responsible competent guides.
Like I said in my last post we all have our own requirements and I am afraid Koh Tao is not the place for me.

 

[DevonDiver]

Forgot to make it clear in my last post >sarcasm mode on<

Personally, I would only go back to Tao for technical diving. I do love diving Chumporn Pinnacle, but it's very difficult to find a dive shop that'll let me go there with a twinset and do 2 dives... or do any dawn, dusk or night dives there.

 

[RussBKK]

Love your style DD... Very amusing

With a little bit of research and forward planning it is easy to find a good DC with good instructors and DM's. I've never found it a problem even on Koh Tao.

 

[lord khram]

Forgot to make it clear in my last post >sarcasm mode on<

Personally, I would only go back to Tao for technical diving. I do love diving Chumporn Pinnacle, but it's very difficult to find a dive shop that'll let me go there with a twinset and do 2 dives... or do any dawn, dusk or night dives there.

Yes I have heard a lot about these wrecks out from KT, I must go and give them a try myself. I dare say that is a different story all together.
Suppose that will mean diving on the MV Tridents replacement?

 

[DevonDiver]

Yes, for sure. I loved diving from the Trident. Looking forward to dive her again....next time on her as a wreck.

 

[Phuket diver]

Difficult to compare Central America and Koh Tao, central america has some beautiful places for diving with Mexico (fantastic cave diving around playa del carmen) Belize and Honduras, Koh Tao is a little over crowded and diving is just fine, they have just one good dive site "chumporn pinnacle". If you want to enjoy your course and get some good diving, I would recommend you to come to the west coast of Thailand, it's the beginning of the season in Similans in a few weeks. We offer liveabaord experience in our divemaster package, take a look at our website.

Take care

 

[ayeshacantrell]

Forgot to make it clear in my last post >sarcasm mode on<

Personally, I would only go back to Tao for technical diving. I do love diving Chumporn Pinnacle, but it's very difficult to find a dive shop that'll let me go there with a twinset and do 2 dives... or do any dawn, dusk or night dives there.

Im sure you know we'd let you go - infact it would be a fab excuse to come too !!!