BootsnAll Travel Community

I am going to Thailand in January, and i'm looking to do a Padi Open Water course somewhere.
Can anyone suggest where the best places to go are, and which companies to go with/to watch out for?

I've also heard that the courses they do arent like the courses they do at home (England) - not as thorough.
Is this true?

Any advice gratefully received.

I can only tell you about my experience.

It was AWESOME! I did my padi open water on Koh Tao and had such a great experience. I've heard that there are better places to dive but since at that point I had nothing to really base it on (I'd done some extensive snorkeling before in some amazing places but nothing compares to scuba, it's unreal!) it was a perfectly good place to do the course. It was cheap and fun and I felt safe. I don't know about the through ness of it compared to other places but like I said I felt safe and comfortable in my knowledge of diving. And it was a really fun island to be on, lots of parties at night and some cool adventures to be had during the day (when not diving, that is)

Hi Travis,

We are planning to be in Koh Tao in Jan.

What was the name of the company you used? How much was it?

Thanks

Pete

I have no idea what the name of the company was but if you go down to the bay where most of the dive companies are and you are looking at the water it's the one on the farthest right. It'd be easy to find but things my have changed, i was there 3years ago. Just make sure they don't do any practice dives in a pool rather just in shallow ocean. I paid US$210 for 7 or 8 nights accomidation, the open water cert. and 2 days of free diving. But the dollar had fallen against the bhat by nearly 25% since then so it'll be considerably more expensive and i was there in the off season. Have fun!

copy and past from another post I made 2 minutes ago:

I just got my diving cert last week from http://www.phoenix-divers.com/ on Koh Tao. There were 6 people in my group. But there was one instructor and two divemasters instructing the class. Neil Farmer was the instructor and he is actually a course instructor certified to licence instructors. I would highly recommend him.

The bungalow that you get at the AC resort was really nice. You have the option to get SSI or PADI. I personally went with SSI. The cost was 9000 baht and included the bungalow.

I had such a great time that I took a deep diving course the day after I finished my open water course.

If you go to Koh Tao, Scuba Junction is a great place. Only 4 people in group, the instructors work to European standards (not Thai standards like a lot of shops on Tao) and they have really great equipment.

They are on Sairee Beach.

Just a warning - if you start basing your decision on price - then you are potentially taking huge risks. Look at it this way - do you want the good parachute or the cheap one? Same safety issues apply....

I did my open water and advanced in Koh Tao with crystal divers because they were the cheapest I could find. We had 6 in our class but the boat with PACKED with other divers (atleast 30).

The diving on Koh Tao is pretty good (inparticlar Southwest and Twins), but if you find yourself on Koh Lanta (or Phi Phi) then you MUST go to Hin Maung/Daeng and Koh Ha Yai!!! Best dives sites in Thailand (couldn't afford the trip to the Similans).

Good luck and have fun

I agree, Koh Tao in this time so very nice.

And also safety for yourself to traveling thai gulf

You will get higher value from your money.

Hey there,

The best diving has to be on Koh Tao. Try the Big Blue diving school...they are pretty cheap and provide very cheap and nice accomodation if you book a scuba diving course with them. They will also have a pick-up van waiting at the port of Koh Tao to take you there for free.

The instructors are all highly trained and professional and give a really throrough course. If you book a course and decide after the first day that you dont want to continue then they will refund the rest of the money that you have paid.

Hope that helps,

Nicola

Search through here or post a new thread http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/thailand/

There is nothing wrong with getting certified in Thailand vs England. You can find bad instructors anywhere so get recommendation from experienced divers first. Price is not important when you are talking about learning skills that will save your life underwater.

Generally speaking you want to find a small class. You want to get 1 on 1 time with the instructor if you need extra time to practice any of your skills. Some people can be great swimmers and comfortable in the water and still take some time to become comfortable underwater.

Remember the thing about diving is that you are ultimately responsible for your own safety. Don't do anything that you aren't comfortable doing even if the instructor says its ok.

I don't like to get too pushy, as this could be construed as advertising (I work at a shop in Khao Lak), so please bear that in mind while reading...


But Koh Tao is not the best diving in Thailand. Not even close. But it is the best place to learn how to dive. Not only is the island packed with other people learning, but there are many places to select from (48 dive shops). There are generally no currents and surface conditions are usually quite calm.

BUT - I lived and worked there for two years. After wandering around Thailand, I found the best diving to be on the Similan Islands. That's why I moved here. Again, this area is not ideal for the beginner, as there can be currents, and waves and lots of fish and coral.