Ko Tao Travel Forum

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone could tell me which diving school is the best?? Im hoping to do an open water course and so far I have narrowed it down to Buddha View, Big bubble or KoTao cottages?
Has anyone any experiences with these?
I read the review of Buddha View on this forum and it sounds really good but could anyone tell me how many people do they take in their groups and also which accomodation would be best in the "mid-range" catagory??

Thank You,
Ciara

Hi Ciara, I did and open water course on ko tao last year but not wiht any of the organisations that you mentioned. I went with Black Tip Diving on the West coast in the stunning Tanote Bay. They took me out even thouhg i was on my own and accomodation is half price if you are diving - 250b a night in a double bed room wiht fan and shared bathroom. really beautiful bungalows and great operation. you should really consider it! I have some photos on my ko tao pages if you want to see what it looks like. Becasue its on the west side you cant really go out at night in the town but its so beautiful in tanote bay so i didnt care. I am diving with them again in about a months time to do my advanced open water course.

hope this helps in some way, and have a great time wherever you go.


jon

Hi Jon,
thanks for your reply, i had a look at your website and found reading all about your travels really interesting! I plan on going to most of the places you have gone so I hope I enjoy myself as much as you did!

Ciara

The Budda View and the Black Tip Diving are kind of related because the owner of the Black Tip Diving was an instructor at the Budda View before. I know this might not help you for what you ask for, but, just want to support Jon's reply, especially when he mentioned about Kob's bakery and bar in his site.

Hi there, when we were diving at buddha view the groups were about 6 people per class,when you go diving you are taken and returned with other groups to the dive boat. Prices are cheap, as are most other dive schools, instuctor was very friendly (even more when trying to get you to book dive course's). Accomodation mid range?? personally a beach hut/bungalow with a fan, cold water and toilet, right on the shallow beach (had to ask and cost a bit more, i think THB 600 two years ago)was basic and good, but there were aircon rooms etc.
i'm doing something special this christmas, and taking the family with me for a bit of luxury, grand coral resort on sairee beach for diving and possibly anankhira(a bit over the top for me, but heh? what the hell.) sure you will have a great time no matter where you choose, best of luck! THAISAY

I am planning to get my Open Water Certificate. How much did all of you pay for the course? Is it at Koh Tao? Where is their dive shop located at? It will be nice if you can give me their website.

hi there, course cost about £120, accomodation was mid range it's at chalok ban khao on ko tao, shallow bay but beautiful, http://www.buddhaview-diving.com/

Hi!
Don't know if you're already out there or not, but I just came back and figured I'd throw in my two cents.
I did my open water and advance with Siam Scuba and was really pleased! They were awesome people; from what I'd heard, had one of the best boat captains on the island; really made a point to hit all of the dive sites around Koh Tao (three weeks I dove every site but one!);small class sizes (did my open water with one other person!) And believe me, seeing those giant dive schools out there really made me appreciate the attention I got in training with Siam. Siam is located on Siaree Beach right towards the end of the main strip. My accomodation was just north right on the ocean, Ochia (sp?) and I paid 500 Baht per night (fan shower toilet and two beds and a hammock stretched out right on my portch!). But it would have been half that had I stayed at the Siam bungalows.
Now, I met many of the folks at Buddha View, and got to say they were awesome people as well...prices are pretty much fixed on the island, so it really depends on where you want to be. If you dive with Siam, tell Ben and Gary that Absynth Nate sent ya!

Cheers!

Nate