Ko Tao Travel Forum

I'm currently an advanced PADI diver and would like to get my divemasters while in Thailand. I am willing to spend my whole time on Ko Tao to do so. Anyone else spend that much time on the island and know what my options are and Im on a REALLY tight budget. My girlfriend is coming and going to at least get her open water. Thanks a lot

Many people come to Tao to go for DM and there are also a lot of schools to choose from.
Try to stay away from the big diving factories like Crystal, Bans, Asia, Buddha View and be weary of shops that offer big discounts as the quality of course and equipment you get will be questionable.

I did my courses with Scuba Junction, top quality training and equipment and always small groups so you get lots of attention.

Contrary to what a previous poster said, I think some of the bigger dive shops are the best places to do your DM. I did mine at Bans years ago and was there last year and all the DM trainees were having an amazing time. It is busy, as others have said, but this is a really good thing for a DM course as you get to meet lots of people and gets lots of experience. I don't represent any of the dive shops but if you want any more info, let me know here or via private message (if you can figure out how to send a private message on this site - I can't!) and I'll try to answer questions. I'm coming back to Koh Tao in a month and I can't WAIT! I'm so desperate to get back that I'm browsing forums like this at 11pm in fact... :-)

Failing that, try hanging around the island for a couple of days and chatting to some DMTs at different resorts before you sign up anywhere - you will find somewhere that suits you. If you experience is anything like mine you will love it and never want to leave.

Oh a couple more things that I just thought of:

1. Scuba-J as previously mentioned have got a great reputation so include them if you do check out a couple of places.

2. Try to extend your stay - more time would give you time to learn a lot more, dive a lot more and be a much better DM at the end. It's especially good to work for a little bit - even a week or two at the place where you qualify.

3. Good luck :-)